Electric mobility scooters can be a true blessing for people with certain disabilities.  For many, a mobility scooter provides a renewed sense of freedom and independence.  Because electric mobility scooters often become such an integral part of people's lives, they need to be carefully maintained and serviced to ensure that they are always in working order. A thorough yearly servicing is recommended, but daily maintenance and care will help guarantee years of use and enjoyment. Fortunately, daily maintenance is not as difficult and laborious as it sounds! There are a few simple tasks that will make taking care of an electric mobility scooter a breeze.

IMPORTANT: Read the owner's manual for your electric mobility scooter very carefully before attempting any of the maintenance techniques outlined below. While we offer tips on features common to many scooter models, your scooter's features may vary, and the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance should be followed if their instructions differ from ours.

Batteries: One of the most important parts of an electric mobility scooter to keep properly maintained is its battery. Fully charging the battery on a daily basis helps extend the life of the battery, and ensures that the battery works as efficiently as possible. Not charging the battery every day could result in slower scooter speed, and could eventually result in complete battery failure.  Avoid being stranded far from home by charging your battery every day.

The battery should always be allowed to completely cool before it is charged.  This helps increase conductivity, and ensures that the battery will reach a maximum charge. Even after the shortest of trips, the battery should be put to charge. In addition, batteries should always be wiped down if wet or dirty, and stored in a cool place. The battery should be checked periodically for signs of corrosion.

Tires and Wheels: The tires on an electric mobility scooter are another critical point of daily maintenance. Tires need to be checked daily for signs of punctures or objects stuck in the tires. A quick glance every day to see if the tires show signs of cracks or discoloration will help prevent any problems while the scooter is in use. Old or damaged tires should be replaced immediately. Every few days, the tire pressure should be checked. Slack tires will make the motor work harder, and can eventually destroy the valve stem. (Note that flat-free, or solid, tires do not contain air; you only need to service these if the bearings are loose or the tread has worn too low.)

The wheels of the scooter should be checked periodically as well.
Wheels should spin without any vibration or wobbling.

Cleaning and Storage: An electric mobility scooter should always be kept clean and dry. Dirt in any moving parts can cause unnecessary wear and tear. The underside of the scooter should be checked as well as the battery terminals and steering rack. If the scooter gets wet, it needs to be carefully dried. Wiping down a scooter after it has become wet will help prevent corrosion.

The scooter should be stored in a clean, dry place such as a hallway, garage, or outdoor shed. A rain cover is a good idea for scooters stored in outdoor areas.

A simple routine of charging the battery, checking the tires, and keeping the scooter clean will help keep an electric mobility scooter running efficiently, and can help prevent breakdowns and costly repairs.

Still have questions about this topic? Contact our scooter experts via email, or call us now at 1 (800) 794-9240!

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