Mobility Scooter Maintenance made Easy
For many people, a mobility scooter is a lifeline. Just like how a stair lift, is for many people, it helps people get up and down the stairs with ease. Less restrictive than a wheelchair, a mobility scooter is faster and more versatile, and it can offer someone who has difficulty walking, a new lease on life. If you’re a mobility scooter owner yourself, you will already know and appreciate the benefits of these three or four wheeled wonders. Let’s face it, they’re not cheap, so to ensure that your scooter serves you for many years to come, there are a few things that you should check every day, or every week, to keep your scooter running in tip-top condition.
The tires are probably the most important part of your mobility scooter, since without them you are going nowhere. Whether you have a three-wheeled or four-wheeled model, it is essential that you check the tire pressures every day before riding. Low tire pressure can cause your tire to slacken, causing greater strain on the electric motor.
As well as your tires, you also need to make sure that your wheels are well-aligned, are not wobbly and will not throw you off balance when out and about. When purchasing a new scooter, it’s important to get the highest quality wheel bearings possible – as this will lead to a longer wheel and tire life.
Also don’t forget about the battery! Probably the second most important part of your scooter is the battery in the motor. To increase the life of your battery, remove it and keep it cool when not in use and before charging. Heat causes resistance to electrical charge, so a hot battery will be fully charged more slowly that a cool battery. Also, remember that batteries don’t last forever, even rechargeable ones. If you find that your scooter is beginning to lose charge much more quickly than it used to, it’s probably time to think about getting a new one.
Never use a battery that is showing signs of wear, leakage or acid erosion – it’s safer to get this repaired by a certified repair center since electrical defects can cause serious injury and further damage to your scooter. Furthermore, if you need to replace an old or damaged battery, be sure to dispose of it correctly – any good scooter retailer should be able to do this for you.
Finally, don’t forget the little things – check fuses, nuts and bolts, drive chains and belts, lever controls and cables. If any of these small components are loose or damaged, get them fixed sooner rather than later as a small problem can quickly escalate into a bigger problem. Washing your scooter is also a necessary maintenance action too – keeping dirt and mud off of your scooter will not only make it look cleaner, but will help to prevent rust and water damage too.