Mobility Scooters Checks - Weekly

Just like with a car, your mobility scooter will stay in good working order longer if you keep it well maintained and get it serviced regularly. You should always refer to your mobility scooter manual to see what the requirements for service and maintenance are.
It is recommended that you have your mobility scooter serviced every year. Especially if it is used on the road, class 3.

Here are some general maintenance tips for your mobility scooter to keep it in tip top condition:

Weather Protection
In wet weather it's a good idea to have protective covers for yourself and your scooter.
Seats sometimes have fabric covers - if so, don't forget to keep them dry.
To protect your mobility scooter we recommend the Mobility Scooter Storage Cover available in medium and large. You can also purchase the Mobility Scooter Control Cover to keep your control panel dry and protected.

Cleaning
Wash off any dirt and dust as soon as you can.
Keep your scooter as dry as possible - this will keep rust at bay for the longest time.

Batteries
The batteries are the lifeblood of your scooter and need to be looked after to perform to their potential. All scooter batteries are 12V DC rechargeable maintenance free batteries. They will either be sealed lead acid or gel based and do not require any topping up.
To get the best out of your batteries you need to follow a strict charging regime. You should always charge the scooter for between 8 and 10 hours at a time. The charging process goes through cycles and this period is required to go through all the charging cycles. Do not put the battery on charge for just a couple of hours.
You should recharge the battery after each time you have used the scooter. In this context used means travelled at least a couple of miles. You should not recharge the scooter if you have only travelled a short distance.
Temperature can have a marked effect on battery performance, a reduction of 20% capacity can be expected at 0 degrees C.
If you don't use the scooter at all, the batteries will gradually lose their charge. This will accelerate during the colder months of the year and you should charge the batteries at least every fortnight during cold weather. The batteries will decay if they are left in a discharged state.
Always make sure you have enough battery power for your trip before you set off! Don't forget that lights and whether you are travelling up any hills will use up battery power too.
Mobility scooter batteries tend to last one to two years before you need to replace them. This of course will depend on how much your scooter is used.
Many mobility scooter users purchase two battery packs - one to be kept on charge and one in use. This way they keep their mobility and independence at all times!

Tyres
All tyres will wear, 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.

Winter Care
Keep your scooter somewhere safe and dry if not in use over the winter months.
Make sure you continue to charge your battery as per your scooter manual's instructions to ensure it is ready for use when the weather improves.