BYD Shark 6 DIY Maintenance: Monthly Checks Every Owner Can Do

 Most BYD Shark 6 monthly checks are 100% owner-safe. Check tyre pressures (2.5 bar front and rear unloaded), top up the windshield washer reservoir, inspect engine oil on the dipstick after a 10-minute shutdown, eyeball coolant and brake-fluid levels between MAX and MIN, scan wiper blades for cracks, and walk around to confirm every exterior light works. Never touch orange high-voltage cables or attempt fuel-filter or coolant refills yourself.

Quick stats

• Total time: 20 to 30 minutes a month
• Tools needed: tyre gauge, microfibre cloth, torch
• Engine oil grade: 0W-20, SP specification
• Brake fluid: BYD HZY6 (do not mix grades)
• Tyre pressure (cold): 2.5 bar front and rear, unloaded
• Wiper inspection cycle: every 6 months minimum

 Safety First: What NOT to Touch on a PHEV

The Shark 6 is a high-voltage vehicle. Anything wrapped in orange cabling carries lethal current and is off-limits to owners. Do not remove, disassemble or probe high-voltage parts under any circumstances.

Stay away from these tasks unless you are a qualified BYD technician: high-voltage battery service, fuel-filter replacement (the fuel line is under pressure), coolant refilling (the manual specifies professional tools to keep liquid out of the fuse box), and air-conditioning refrigerant work. The fuel filter alone is a BYD-authorised job, per the user manual.

Monthly Visual Checks (20 Minutes, Minimal Tools)

Park on level ground, switch the vehicle off, and pop the bonnet only after the engine has cooled. Most checks here need nothing more than your eyes, a torch, a clean rag, and a tyre gauge.

Walk a slow lap of the truck looking for fluid drips under the engine bay, loose body panels, fresh stone chips on the windscreen, and anything obstructing the radar emitters on the front bumper. Quick visual sweeps catch about 80% of real-world issues.

 Tyre Pressure and Tread Depth Check

The Shark 6 wears 265/65 R18 tyres. BYD specifies 2.5 bar front and 2.5 bar rear when unloaded, and 2.5 front / 2.9 rear when fully laden. The exact figures sit on the label inside the driver's door frame.

Check pressures cold, meaning at least three hours after the last drive, or before driving more than 1.6 km. Hot tyres read 0.3 to 0.4 bar higher; do not bleed them down or you will end up underinflated.

For tread depth, find the moulded wear indicators inside the grooves. Once they sit flush with the tread surface, you are at 1.6 mm and the tyre must be replaced. Underinflation increases fuel use and uneven wear; over-inflation reduces ride comfort and raises blowout risk.

Owner question: "Do I need a fancy digital gauge?" No. A reliable analogue stick gauge gets within 0.1 bar of accuracy and lives in your glovebox forever.

Washer Fluid: How to Top Up

The windshield washer reservoir sits behind the right headlight in the engine bay. Open the cap, check the level, and top up with certified screen-washer fluid.

• Do not pour in vinegar-water or household detergents. They damage the washer motor.
• Use a quality washer concentrate to improve dirt removal and prevent freezing in cold snaps.
• While the cap is off, wipe the wiper blade rubber with a clean cloth dipped in fresh washer fluid. It extends blade life noticeably.

Engine Oil: How to Check & What Grade to Use

The Shark 6's 1.5L BYD476ZQF engine takes 0W-20 oil meeting the SP specification. Initial fill is 5.0 L. The manual recommends BYD original engine oil.

To check the level:

1. Park on a level surface and bring the engine to normal operating temperature, then shut down.
2. Wait 10 minutes for oil to drain back into the sump.
3. Remove the right-side cover plate, pull the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert it fully, and pull it out again.
4. Confirm the oil sits between the upper and lower marks. Top up if needed.
5. Re-insert the dipstick fully.

If the low oil pressure warning light comes on, add oil immediately and avoid further driving. Long or frequent skin contact with used oil causes irritation; wash with soap and water afterwards.

 Coolant and Brake Fluid: Visual Level Checks

The engine coolant expansion tank and motor-controller coolant tank are both in the engine bay. Both should sit between their MAX and MIN marks. Visual check only. The manual is explicit that coolant addition itself should be done by a BYD-authorised service provider with proper tools, because spillage into the fuse box can cause electrical damage.

For brake fluid, locate the reservoir near the firewall and confirm the level is between MAX and MIN. If it is at or below MIN, do not top up at home; have the system inspected, since low brake fluid usually means worn pads or a system leak. BYD specifies HZY6 brake fluid only.

Fluid	What to do at home	When to call BYD	Frequency
Engine oil	Check dipstick, top up small amount	Full oil change, low-pressure warning	Monthly check
Engine coolant	Visual level check only	Topping up or replacement	Monthly check
Motor coolant	Visual level check only	Any addition or service	Monthly check
Brake fluid	Visual level check only	Any addition, MIN-line drop	Monthly check
Washer fluid	Refill with certified fluid	Pump or jet faults	Monthly check
Measurement note: All "between MAX and MIN" checks assume the vehicle is cold and parked on level ground. Coolant tanks pressurise when hot and can squirt fluid if opened too soon.

 Wiper Blades: Testing and Replacement Signs

BYD recommends inspecting front wiper blades every six months, and replacing them at the first sign of cracks, hardening, or streaking on the windscreen.

To swap blades cleanly, the Shark 6 has a built-in service mode. From the infotainment screen, go to Service → Overhaul → Front Wiper Check and enable it. The wipers will rotate to a vertical position so you can lift the arms safely. Press the wiper lock button, pull the old blade off in the indicated direction, and clip the new one on by reversing the steps.

Do not lift wiper arms manually while the bonnet is open, and never use a blade to scrape ice off the windscreen.

Exterior Lights: Walk-Around Test

Do this with a friend, or park nose-on to a wall and use the reflections. Test each function: low beam, high beam, indicators (both sides), hazard lights, brake lights, reverse lights, and the rear fog light. A dashboard alert may flag a failed bulb, but front DRLs and brake lights often fail silently. For a deeper look at what each warning means, see our Shark 6 dashboard warning lights guide.

Charging Port: Inspection and Cleaning

Before every plug-in session, BYD asks owners to check the charge port for water ingress, foreign objects, rust, corrosion, or visible damage to the metal terminals. If anything is wet or grimy, wipe with a dry, clean cloth. Do not charge with a damp port.

Inspect the charging cable for wear, cracked casings, or burnt smell at the connector. If you spot damage, contact a BYD-authorised service provider. The same rules apply when using V2L for camping or job-site power; see our V2L onboard power guide for safe-use tips.

When to Stop DIY and Call BYD Service

Hand the truck to BYD if you encounter any of the following: persistent fluid leaks, any warning light related to high voltage or emissions, brake fluid at or below MIN, a clogged fuel filter (BYD recommends professional replacement only), or any noise that wasn't there last week. Also call them at the scheduled service intervals; skipping them may void warranty coverage.

Common Mistakes Owners Make

• Checking oil immediately after parking, before the engine has had its 10-minute settle
• Bleeding hot tyres down to "spec" pressure, then driving on underinflated rubber
• Topping up coolant at home, then dripping it into the fuse box
• Pouring vinegar or dish soap into the washer reservoir
• Lifting wiper arms without enabling Front Wiper service mode
• Plugging in with a wet or grit-filled charge port
• Ignoring the orange-cabled components and assuming "I'll just have a look"