While proven effective and practical, mobility scooters’ performance still depends on users’ level of care. Like any equipment, they would quickly lose their quality if not maintained properly, no matter how advanced they are. The same goes with medical scooters; that’s why users and their carers must cooperate in taking care of the equipment.
But taking care of a mobility scooter might cause more harm than good if not done correctly, right? This article will show the proper way to maintain a scooter’s different parts, including batteries and tires. We will also determine how to maintain the vehicle’s seat, brakes, and keys to ensure no part is left behind.
To maintain your mobility scooter, you must regularly check the vehicle’s different parts to monitor their everyday quality. These parts include the exterior body, batteries, seats, keys, tires, brakes, and the vehicle’s exposure to different environments.
But the real secret of maintaining a mobility scooter is not only the steps we will discuss today. It’s not even the experts, the cleaning materials, or even part replacements that can lengthen the equipment’s service. It’s about consistency, taking care of the equipment continuously to avoid minor problems from getting more significant (and more expensive)
Proper Ways of Taking Care of the Mobility Scooter
Clean it Regularly
A mobility scooter can pick up dust, soil, and mud while outside; that’s why it’s important to wipe it clean after using it. Since mobility is a problem, you may ask your carer or companion to wipe the vehicle’s exteriors. Simple and regular wiping of the scooter’s body is enough to avoid the build of dirt that may cause more significant problems.
But to make the cleaning process more manageable, users must avoid dirty environments as much as possible. The muddy and dusty place is a big no-no for mobility scooters since their structure does not have enough protection from dirt. Consistency will simplify the cleaning process versus acting only after the electric scooter has accumulated so many dirty particles.
Protect It From Moisture
Since most of the mobility scooter’s body is metal, its greatest enemy is moisture, which can cause rust. As much as possible, users must only drive in dry places and avoid wet areas like wet grass or puddles. If rust appears in any part of the vehicle, it can start spreading if left unchecked, affecting the quality of the scooter.
Use Batteries Correctly
The battery quality of mobility scooters can lower by overcharging them, which most users do. That’s why when charging their batteries, they should set the alarm, so they can unplug their vehicle at the right time and not forget it. They should also use approved chargers for their batteries and scooters to ensure no technical issue.
Batteries are also why users should avoid wet places because they are risky for their power production. Users also need to know that batteries’ performance decreases in the winter season if left uncharged. To avoid this, they must fully charge their batteries (and) their spare batteries to prepare for the freezing temperature.
Regularly Check the Tires
Since tires are one of the most hardworking parts of mobility scooters, they are more prone to damage. Their tires come in two types: One is air-filled, and one is solid, but both of them must receive regular checking. Regularly check their wear-and-tear condition, punctures, damages, and any problems that might affect the scooter’s mobility.
Check the Brakes
Regularly check the quality of your mobility scooter’s brakes because these devices are literal lifesavers. Before rolling it outside the house, check the grip of its brakes first, or if they have some delays. These simple tests before going outside will show the quality of the breaks and ensure your safety.
Users can manually turn off the brakes using the lever on the mobility scooter’s rear wheel. This lever turns your vehicle into a “freewheel,” which means you can use your scooter without battery power. But the disadvantage is you won’t have any breaks, which require you to be extra careful when driving your scooter.
Also, check the lever before leaving the house, and see if they are “activated,” “deactivated,” or already losing grips. You should not always expect brakes to always function as you wish because technical problems can always happen.
Keep Your Keys in Safe Places
Mobility scooter users shouldn’t have this ‘fantasy’ of robbers sparing them because of their mobility condition. There is always a risk that someone will attempt to steal their electric scooters because of their resale value. With this danger, they should always keep their keys safely tucked in their pocket and never leave them anywhere.
They should also leave a spare key on a trusted companion if they misplaced their keys and never found it. Mobility scooters are valuable assets, and they are ‘hot’ in the eyes of robbers, thinking they’re an easy target. That’s why aside from keeping keys safe, riders should always make sure to have a carer or a companion when going outside.
Check the Seats
Detachable seats are typical in most mobility scooters today; that’s why users need to check their firm grip on the vehicle regularly. Again, technical issues can always happen in this scooter, including the attachment of seats. A loosely attached seat while driving the scooter is a massive risk for users because they can fall off anytime.
Before leaving the house, check if the seats are shaking, uneven, or securely attached to the mobility scooter. Simple check-ups like this will determine the scooter’s quality and save a user’s life.
Conclusion
If not maintained correctly, even the most expensive mobility scooters can quickly lose their quality and top performance. Riders should know their responsibilities with their equipment because it will be their everyday partner in mobility.
Citations
How to Maintain a Mobility Scooter | | Momentum Healthcare
Mobility scooter motor maintenance: some useful tips. Three Practical Tips for How to Maintain a Mobility Scooter
