Why Should You Service Your Mobility Scooter?
- January 30, 2023
- 12:20 pm
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A mobility scooter is a big investment, both financially and for your independence. So, it needs to be properly maintained to ensure you get the best out of it. Manufacturers recommend your equipment is serviced annually. This should include checking the tyres, parts and other key components to prevent costly emergency repairs. This means you won’t risk the inconvenience of not having your equipment whilst it’s being repaired.
Other than a regular service, there are a few things you can do to ensure your mobility scooter remains in tip-top condition. To help you out, let’s run through 5 easy ways to keep your mobility scooter in great shape.
As you can imagine, regular use of your mobility scooter will, over time, cause a build-up of dirt and debris. There is a simple fix for this. After completing a journey, just pay a little attention and wipe it over as soon as possible. For those harder to reach areas you can use a grabber and cloth.
Don’t worry if you have no access to specialised cleaning products. Liquid soap and a cloth will work fine. It’s also important to avoid unnecessary moisture. Getting caught in the rain can be unavoidable, but there is a range of inexpensive waterproof equipment to protect you and your mobility scooter.
It might be fun, but driving through puddles when there is another route is unnecessary and may encourage rust to form on the underside. This could also flood the battery connections, causing damage.
One of the most important aspects of your mobility scooter is the battery. Looking after this will keep it reliable, extend its lifespan, and improve performance – making sure you get maximum mileage from a single charge.
With lead acid batteries aim to charge batteries for a minimum of 8-10 hours at a time or overnight is always a good option. Batteries have a regulator, so will not overcharge.
Their performance during cold weather can also be affected and as you probably won’t be using your mobility scooter as much, it’s very important you still give the battery a regular charge. Too much inactivity will harm battery capacity. So, keep it topped up and ready for action and, if possible, try to store the battery off the scooter at room temperature.
Mobility scooter tyres generally fall into two categories: solid and pneumatic (air-filled). Each set offers different benefits, but what they have in common is wear and tear.
Just like you would on a car, keep an eye on the tyre tread and signs of a puncture. You should also check whether they need inflating. Running a mobility scooter or power chair with underinflated tyres can damage them and make the battery work harder than it needs to.
Top Tip: Check your mobility scooter tyres regularly.
You’re going to be spending a lot of time on your mobility scooter, so seating comfort is important.
Keep an eye out for any rips in the seat cushion and backrest. A seat that loses the foam inner can affect seating posture and if ripped may let in moisture.
Top Tip: Also check that the seat is still at the best height for you and that the tiller is at the right distance away.
To make sure your hard work with all the above isn’t in vain, you should get a yearly mobility scooter service, or one every 6 months for heavy use. During your mobility scooter service, a professional engineer will carry out a full check using the latest diagnostic machines to make sure everything is in safe working order.
They will also fully test the battery to ensure it’s working in optimum condition. Once it has been given the ‘okay,’ you can get on with planning more adventures.
Top Tip: An interim service is best carried out in November, especially if you are using it throughout winter and then again in spring for summer.
Hopefully these tips for maintaining your mobility scooter have been helpful. This is just general advice, however, always check the manufacturers manual first.
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