How to guides

Here are some useful hints, tips and how to guides to help you with maintaining your EV and fixing issues yourself.

BMW i3

BMW i3: Setting up the phone app

Instructions on how to install and setup the phone app for your new BMW i3 and pair it to the car.

View instructions here >

Nissan E-NV200

Nissan E-NV200: Replacing a DRL bulb

The daytime running lights on a Nissan E-NV200 are mounted within the front bumper and the user manual does not show you how to replace the bulbs. Instead it says you need to visit the Nissan dealership. This guide will show you how to do this simple job yourself.

Go to Nissan DRL bulb change >

Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf: Charge flap wont stay shut

A common problem on the 2011-2017 Nissan Leaf is the charge flap may not properly shut, not staying closed or not open when the release button is pushed. This is caused by the latch rusting. This guide shows you how to repair the latch, as Nissan do not sell the individual replacement part.

Go to Nissan charge flap latch repair >

Nissan Leaf: Setting up the phone app

On Nissan Leaf and E-NV200 vehicles with a touchscreen multimedia head unit, you can use a phone app to communicate with the vehicle. This is most commonly used to turn on the pre-conditioning when not setup on a timed schedule. This guide below shows you how to setup the Nissan ConnectEV app.

Go to Nissan Leaf app >

Mitsubishi i-MiEV / Peugeot iOn / Citroen C-Zero

Peugeot iOn: DC charge flap not opening

This explains how to fix a common fault on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero, where the DC charging flap on the nearside of the vehicle no longer opens.

View instructions here >

Peugeot iOn: Replacing the 12V battery

Sourcing a replacement 12v auxiliary battery for the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero can be tricky. This page shows you what battery to purchase and shows you how you can replace the 12V batter yourself.

Go to Peugeot iOn 12V battery replacement >

Peugeot iOn: Stiff gear selector or dash warning lights

A stiff gear selector can result in the gear selector display flashing and the electric motor error light coming on. The reason is that the gear selector gets rusted and stiff under the car. This shows you how you can simply fix this yourself.

Go to Peugeot iOn gear selector guide >

Peugeot Partner / Citroen Berlingo

Peugeot Partner: Fixing a rattle in the door

A very common issue on all Peugeot Partner & Citroen Berlingo vans is a rattle in the door. Even vans that are only a few months old can suffer from this. These instructions show you how you can fix this yourself.

Go to Peugeot Partner door rattle >

Renault Kangoo ZE

Renault Kangoo: Charge flap stiff or broken

A common issue on Renault Kangoo's (with a type 2 charger) is that the front charge flap can get stiff or break off. This guide shows you how to reduce the change of it breaking by lubricating it and how to replace it if it does snap off.

Go to Zoe charge flap guide >

Renault Kangoo: Water leaking into cabin

Water leaking into the cabin, typically in the footwells, is a common issue on many vehicles and is due to the drain channels being blocked with debris. It seems to be more common on Renault Kangoos and typically will happen after the autumn when the leaves have dropped from the trees, blocking rain channels within the vehicle. This guide will show you how to fix it yourself, but the same principles are for all vehicles.

Go to Renault Kangoo water ingress guide >

Renault Kangoo: Changing the cabin filter

This guide shows you how to change the cabin filter in a Renault Kangoo van.

Go to Renault Kangoo cabin filter change>

Renault Kangoo: Squealing noise from the rear

A squealing noise at low speed is often a sign that the brakes are binding. This is more common on a EV due to the lack of use of the brakes, as the motor regen does most the work. As most of the braking on a vehicle is on the front brakes, the rear hardly get used at all on an EV which results in rusting and binding brakes. This can also seriously hamper your range as it is like driving around with the handbrake on.

Go to Renault Kangoo rear brake service >

Renault Kangoo: Heater failure

The Kangoo ZE 22kWh (2010-2017) uses a resistive/PTC heater which can fail. The same PTC heater is also used on the Nissan Leaf & ENV200. This page below details the problem and in time hopefully a source of repair instead of the main dealers replacing the item. The newer 33kWh models use a heat pump so do not have the same issues.

Go to Renault Kangoo PTC heater failure >

Renault Twizy

Renault Twizy: Replacing the charge flap

A common issue with the Twizy is that the charge flaps break, due to having weak plastic hinges. This shows you how to replace the flap yourself.

Go to Twizy charge flap replacement >

Renault Twizy: Fixing door rattles

Another common issue with the Twizy is that the doors can rattle due to parts missing from the door latches. This guide will show you what parts you can replace to make sure the doors shut properly and are free from rattles.

Go to Twizy door latches >

Renault Twizy: Replacing the 12V battery

The 12V auxiliary battery will be something that every Twizy owner will need to replace at some stage. Due to their small size, they don't last too long. This guide will show you how to replace the battery and source an alternative to the expensive Renault one.

Go to Twizy 12V battery guide >

Renault Twizy: Removing the front panel

The front panel on the Twizy needs to be removed to access the headlight bulbs, indicator bulbs and the brake fluid chamber. This guide shows you how to remove it and the replacement clips required if they are missing.

Go to Twizy front panel removal >

Renault Zoe

Renault Zoe: Fitting an armrest

The armrest is an accessory available from Renault. It can easily be fitted yourself and this guide will give you all the information you need to order the correct part and fit it in your Zoe.

Go to Zoe armrest fitting >

Renault Zoe: Charge flap stiff or broken

A common issue on Renault Zoe's (and Renault Kangoo's with a type 2 charger) is that the front charge flap can get stiff or break off. This guide shows you how to reduce the change of it breaking by lubricating it and how to replace it if it does snap off.

Go to Zoe charge flap guide >

Renault Zoe: Fitting mudflaps

This guide shows you how to fit the genuine Renault mudflaps to the Zoe.

Go to Zoe mudflap fitting >

Renault Zoe: Resetting the range meter

The range meter is only an estimate of the range of the vehicle and it is based on many factors, but primarily the past driving style. Because of this, they can be wildly inaccurate in certain circumstances. This guide shows you how to reset the Zoe range meter, so it starts 'learning' again.

Go to Zoe range reset >

Renault Zoe: Zen scent diffuser

The Renault Zoe Zen model included a scent diffuser in the dashboard. This guide on how to add new scent to the diffuser, as Renault have stopped making the replacement capsules.

Go to Zoe scent diffuser guide >

Renault Zoe: Rear seat removal

The rear seat is easily removable in a Renault Zoe. This guide shows you how to remove the rear back rest for extra loading space and why you shouldn't remove the seat base.

Go to Zoe rear seat removal guide >

Renault Zoe: Broken headlight mountings

A video to show what to look out for when looking at used Renault Zoe's. The headlight mounting brackets can break when there's been an impact on the front bumper.

Go to Zoe headlight mounting brackets >

Renault Zoe: Updating the R-Link system

This is a guide on how you download and install the latest software into the Zoe's R-Link system, using the SD card.

Go to Zoe R-Link updating >

Renault Zoe: R-Link problems

Many problems with the R-Link system in the Zoe can be fixed yourself within seconds. This guide explains all.

Go to Zoe R-Link problems >

Renault Zoe: Mobile phone app

This guide explains how to get the "Renault Connected Services" phone app working with your car.

Go to Zoe phone app >

Renault Zoe: Replacing the 12V battery

Explains how to replace the 12v auxiliary battery in a Renault Zoe.

Go to Zoe 12V battery replacement >

Renault Zoe: Heater not working

A common problem with the Zoe is the heater not working and blowing cold air only.

Go to Zoe heater problems >

Renault Zoe: DAB radio add-on

User manual and operating instructions for the DAB radio add-on by AutoDAB, fitted in some 2013-2015 Renault Zoe's

Go to Zoe DAB radio >

Renault Zoe: Replacing the anti-roll bar drop links

A common issue on the Renault Zoe is the drop links (also called stabiliser bars or anti-roll bar/sway bar links) wear out prematurely. The symptoms are a rattle at the front when driving on rough roads. Typically they need changing around every 25,000 miles on a Zoe. This guide shows you how you can this yourself if you have the tools and ability.

Go to Zoe drop link replacement >

Renault Zoe: Rattle in the rear hatch

It is quite common on used Renault Zoe's to have a rattle in the rear hatch. This is caused by dealerships replacing the number plates and leaving the ends of the rivets rattling around inside the hatch. This guide shows you how to fix this yourself.

Go to Zoe rear hatch rattle >