Mobility Scooter Maintenance and Repairs
Your mobility scooter and buggy will stay in good working order longer if you keep it well maintained and get it serviced regularly.
Please refer to the manufacturer’s manual to see what the requirements for service and maintenance are requirements of your scooter. This will also be required to validate your warranty.
Here are some general maintenance tips to keep your mobility scooter running smoothly:
Cleaning
Once you have returned from your trip wash off any dirt and dust as soon as you can. Do not use any chemicals. A damp cloth is sufficient. You may use car cleaning products to clean your mobility scooter.
Keep your mobility scooter as dry as possible.
Weather Protection & Storage
We strongly recommend not using the mobility scooter when raining. If you decide to use the mobility scooter in wet weather it’s advised to have protective covers for yourself and your mobility scooter to stay dry.
If possible always store your scooter undercover. Storage covers are available for keeping the sun, dust and rain off your mobility scooter whilst not in use. Mobility Ease also has more rigid frame and will stand up to being left out in more adverse weather conditions.
Batteries
They most common battery used in a mobility scooter will either be sealed lead acid or gel based. This type of battery require charging after any significant use.
Batteries need to be charged regularly to keep them working efficiently. Always adhere to the battery manufacturer’s guidelines; they typically recommend charging for between 8 and 10 hours at a time. Charging the battery after use can prolong the life expectancy of the battery.
During cold weather and when the scooter is not in use, the batteries will gradually lose their charge and could decay if they are left in a discharged state. You should therefore be especially vigilant about keeping them charged during the winter months.
Always make sure you have enough battery power for your trip before you set off! Don’t forget that traveling up hills and using your lights will use up more battery power.
Tyres
All tyres will wear and tear, inspect them regularly to check they are still safe.
There are 3 types of mobility scooter tyre:
- Pneumatic: These are pumped up with air, and can be punctured. They offer the smoothest ride. If you travel on uneven ground – this could be a very important consideration.
If you are using pneumatic tyres, regularly inspect them for punctures and wear and tear. Punctures can sometimes be repaired without needing a whole new tyre.
- Solid: These cannot be punctured, but often mean that you feel the ride is harder. E.g. you may feel more jolts as you go over stones or kerbs. This may not be the best option for you if your condition or disability would suffer if you use solid tyres.
- Filled: These tyres are puncture-proof. In terms of the ride they produce they are in between pneumatic and solid. The ride will be smoother than solid and harder than pneumatic.
Servicing:
To ensure that your mobility scooter is kept in good working order and safe to use, a regular service is required.
It is recommended that you have your mobility scooter serviced by a qualified engineer every year, especially if it is used on the road. An annual service is usual but your manual will tell you how regular a proper service should be done for your model.
It is important to remember that a mobility scooter still has critical safety elements such as brakes which need to be checked. It is important to keep up to date with maintenance and routine checks.
