Since my first mobility scooter came after I ordered it online, I wondered what danger it might cause me if I have not taken care of it. When I finally used it, I began to look at the user’s manual on what are the parts of the mobility scooter and how do I know if it is damaged or not. I was researching ways on how to prevent it from getting hurt, and many articles of accidents on mobility scooters appeared. The majority of those accidents happened due to faulty mobility scooters and damaged parts like brakes. Then I said to myself, “I need to get serious when it comes to this mobility scooter since it has now been my mode of mobility.” And I found out many tips and tricks in handling and taking care of a mobility scooter.
Taking care of something, especially when it is close to us and we use it every day, it does not only prolongs the life of the object but ensures our safety when using it. Most people want to take advantage of the thing and do not think of what might happen if they continue to take advantage, knowing that most objects have their limits.
People must start to appreciate the wonders mobility scooter brings and not look at it like it is a technology that can help us. Yes, it is technology, but it gives us a better life. Do you not want to have the same scooter for years? Because I know that sentimental value can bring joy to one’s heart and soul. You remember the first experiences you had with your first mobility scooter. And keeping good maintenance of your mobility scooter can do that. Keeping it away from damages will not only keep the mobility scooter in tip-top shape but also ensure your safety.
DAMAGED MOBILITY SCOOTER’S DANGERS
Mobility scooters are valuable machines that help many people improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, when mobility scooters are not properly maintained, accidents can occur. When a user puts off repairs or routine maintenance on their mobility scooter, this often happens. The consumer is exposed to a variety of dangers due to this pause, including those mentioned below.
1. The Wheels
All users will understand the importance of the wheels on the mobility scooter. If the wheels aren’t working correctly, the mobility scooter can be difficult to navigate. The wheels can be damaged in various circumstances, including slamming into things at high speeds, driving over rocks or debris, and hitting curbs.
One of the most common problems that mobility scooter users put off repairing is low or flat tires. Some consumers often inflate flat tires before they have the opportunity to fix or replace them. This situation may leave the consumer stranded at home or in public places with no means of contacting help. It may also cause the mobility scooter to tilt or become unbalanced, potentially tipping the consumer over. If a flat tire isn’t patched right away, it may lead to other problems.
2. Problems with Batteries
Batteries are easy to care for. When the mobility scooter is not in operation, the batteries are recharged. Some users of mobility scooters do not charge batteries for long enough, causing the battery to be depleted too quickly. While this condition is not physically hazardous, it can cause anxiety in users who are stuck in public areas. Extra stress can exacerbate other health problems, such as high blood pressure, which can be life-threatening.
3. Wig-wag is broken.
Some mobility scooters require the use of a wig-wag. This serves as the brake and controls the pace of the mobility scooter in all directions. If a wig-wag malfunctions, the mobility scooter can go too fast or slow, jerk to the side, or move forward or backward, potentially injuring the user’s neck. To avoid damaging the wig-wag, they must be in full working order at all times.
4. Control is being lost.
Damage to a mobility scooter can cause the system to lose control unexpectedly. Users of mobility scooters are often taken aback when their plan fails to function correctly. Pedestrians are often injured in this case, rather than mobility scooter users. A variety of factors can cause the device’s loss of control.
5. Seat that has been damaged
The mobility scooter’s seat is the most frequently used component. The user can be forced to sit in an uncomfortable position if the seal is torn or harmed. Because of the uncomfortable seating and lack of support, the user can experience pain or poor circulation.
6. Motor Is Overworked
Users of mobility scooters are well aware of the value of maintaining the engine. Users can become acquainted with their mobility scooters and learn how far they can push them before requiring repairs. The motor and other parts could become overworked and damaged as a result of this situation. Driving the engine to its limits before performing maintenance on it will cause it to stop working unexpectedly. It is particularly dangerous for users who live alone or travel alone.
How To Keep Your Mobility Scooter From Being Damaged
A mobility scooter is an excellent way to get around the house, run errands, go on holiday, and participate in almost every other operation. You can reclaim your independence by purchasing one of these scooters, making it easier to move from one room to another or from one place to another. However, it would be best if you made every effort to keep your mobility scooter in good working order.
You can only operate the scooter.
No one else should be allowed to ride the scooter except you. Allowing your teenage grandson to ride his scooter around the yard or up and down your driveway is not a good idea. They could easily collide with the scooter and injure themselves. You can also avoid leaving the scooter unattended where someone might get on and ride it.
Assume the role of a defensive driver.
You must operate the scooter as a defensive driver if you genuinely want to escape injury. Keep an eye out for people who aren’t paying attention to you. Try to find any potential hazards that could cause you to fall over or crash. When crossing the street, avoid potholes at all costs.
Keep In Mind The Weight Limit
Every scooter on the market has a weight restriction. Keep an eye on those limits to avoid causing the scooter to malfunction or stop working. It’s safer to find a scooter with a higher weight cap, even though the scooter can carry 300 pounds and you’re 310 pounds. Even if you are just 10 pounds over the weight limit, there is no need to risk it.
Before you use it for the first time, read the manual.
If you’re using a mobility scooter for the first time or the tenth time, you should always read the manual before getting started. This will help you keep your mobility scooter in good condition. The manual will tell you everything you need to know about using the mobility scooter safely and correctly, including how long it needs to be charged and how to maintain it.
Slow down
There’s no need to hurry when riding a mobility scooter, mainly if you’re working in a crowded area or indoors. The slower you drive, the less likely you are to crash and ruin your rental mobility scooter. Even though these scooters do not move at a high pace, you should be aware of your speed while riding the mobility scooter inside a shop, doctor’s office, school, office, or your home so you can navigate around corners easily.
Expert Advice on Mobility Scooter Maintenance
Having a checklist for mobility scooter maintenance will help you stay on top of what needs to be done (or power wheelchair). There are no lights that would appear to remind you of the service, unlike cars, vans, or SUVs. When an oil change is needed, many vehicles now display the message Oil Change Soon or something similar. Preventive maintenance is essential for the durability of mobility scooters. For example, it is widely accepted that you should replace your battery every couple of years. The majority of mobility scooters use lead-acid batteries, which are notorious for losing their charge over time. Rather than waiting until the battery fails to work one day, it is preferable to be cautious.
1. Maintain the Health of Your Batteries
The majority of mobility scooters and power wheelchairs operate on a 24-volt grid, which necessitates two 12-volt lead-acid batteries. Some lightweight mobility scooters and folding electric wheelchairs are equipped with Lithium batteries, which last much longer and need less maintenance than Lead Acid batteries.
Best Practice: The best way to ensure that your batteries last as long as possible is never to let your battery meter go into the red zone. Regardless of how long you used your mobility unit, it’s best to charge your battery afterward. To put it another way, keep the batteries charged as much as possible. If you’re going on vacation and leaving your unit in storage, make sure it’s not going anywhere.
What to Avoid: When batteries are allowed to dry out, they lose their capacity to maintain a charge. When the battery power is depleted, the battery cells begin to dry out, and when they do, they are unable to hold a charge for long periods. Driving the device until the batteries are dead is the easiest way to reduce your batteries’ lives. It would help if you never let yourself down.
2. Maintain the cleanliness of your product.
Although this might seem like a no-brainer, you’d be shocked how many scooters we get that are caked in mud, gravel, grass, and other debris. You can avoid foreign objects being stuck in areas where they don’t belong by keeping your mobility scooter or power chair clean.
Many mobile devices have grime and dirt build-up in the wheel-well and transaxle, which causes stress to the motor over time because it isn’t working freely as it should. On a slightly damp microfiber fabric, apply to rubbing alcohol mixed with water.
When the cloth is somewhat dampened with the alcohol/water mixture, wipe down the scooter surfaces carefully, avoiding any spots where water could enter the mechanical or electrical components. Another advantage of having your device clean is that if you want to resell it later for an upgrade, it will remain in new condition.
3. Avoid putting too much strain on the motor.
Our third piece of advice for getting the most out of your mobility system is to stop putting any undue strain on the engine. The most popular way to stress a motor is to overload it with more weight than rated.
Every mobility scooter and power wheelchair has a “weight size” ranking, which it can find in the product specifications section of most of the manufacturer’s website. It’s essential to understand your device’s weight capacity level so that the motor isn’t overworked.
If you choose to bring groceries or luggage with you, keep track of the additional weight to ensure you don’t reach the manufacturer’s weight limit.
Another common occurrence is the incline rating when it comes to stressing out a mobility scooter or wheelchair’s engine. When you ride your scooter up a sloped driveway or a sloped sidewalk, for example, you’re making your motor work harder than it would on a flat surface.
If you don’t pay attention to the manufacturer’s incline rating (also known as grade climbable), you risk damaging your device’s motor by riding on inclines that are too steep for it.
4. Mobility scooters should avoid moisture and water.
There are only a few units built to withstand rain or water in general. It is not recommended to walk across puddles, wet grass, or other wet terrains. It’s terrible news if water gets into your transaxle and wheel well.
Electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters are not intended to come into contact with water or moisture in any way. Keep away from any water, moisture, or high humidity levels if you want to get the most out of your mobility system. This will prevent your electrical components or transaxle from rusting.
5. Thoroughly read the user manual.
Many users, including myself at times, are grossly underappreciative of user manuals. If you read the user manual for your product carefully, you can discover unique tips for your model. You can damage your product or reduce your components’ life expectancy if you don’t read the user manual for your product. As a result, we strongly advise that you read your user manual in its entirety.
All user manuals are not created equal. If you buy a foreign mobility scooter for a low price, you can receive a user manual in a language other than English. If you hear beeps or blinking lights in a specific series, many user manuals will provide details to help you diagnose your scooter.
When you disengage the automatic brakes on your scooter or power wheelchair and then attempt to run the vehicle, the most common beep code error occurs. When your automatic brakes aren’t activated, and your scooter or power wheelchair won’t rock, you’ll hear five beeps.
Since automatic brakes are needed on all power wheelchairs and mobility scooters for safety, they will not work with the automatic brakes engaged.
