How Often Should I Service My Mobility Scooter?
A mobility scooter is more than just a basic mobility aid. When you buy a mobility scooter, you make an invaluable investment in your independence and freedom. The right mobility scooter can be genuinely life-changing and is therefore an investment you will want to take good care of.
This is where periodic servicing can make all the difference. Like any other motor vehicle, it is important to keep a close eye on your scooter’s performance at all times. The moment you pick up on any abnormalities or potential performance issues, they should be brought to the attention of a suitably qualified professional.
Addressed early, most mobility scooter repairs can be performed quickly and cheaply. Overlooked or ignored for too long, minor issues can quickly escalate into major performance problems and safety risks.
What Does Professional Scooter Servicing Entail?
When you have your mobility scooter serviced, an experienced professional will perform a complete diagnostic on all of its functions. They will examine your scooter externally to ensure its main components are in good condition and also assess the performance of its motor, batteries, safety systems and so on.
How Frequently Should a Mobility Scooter be Serviced?
Most experts recommend professional mobility scooter servicing every six to 12 months. To some extent, it depends on how frequently and extensively you use your mobility scooter and the kinds of conditions it is exposed to. A scooter that’s used on a daily basis for long journeys will undoubtedly call for more TLC than a scooter used twice a month for shorter trips.
Even so, scooters that are used infrequently still need to be inspected and serviced, irrespective of the mileage covered since their last service. Safety and performance issues can creep into the equation even when a scooter is not in use, further emphasizing the importance of professional servicing.
If your scooter needs any minor or major maintenance and repairs, it is always better to get the job done as promptly as possible.
At-Home DIY Maintenance
Between professional inspections, there is much that can be done to preserve the performance and lifespan of a mobility scooter. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the user to ensure their scooter is kept in good working order at all times.
Along with regular servicing, here’s what all mobility scooter owners should be doing to safeguard their investments:
1. Keep It Clean and Dry
Grease, grime, dirt and moisture can all have adverse effects on the performance of a mobility scooter. Left to its own devices, a damp and dirty mobility scooter could soon become inefficient, if not entirely inoperable. Hence, one of the best ways to maximise the lifespan of a mobility scooter is to make the effort to keep it as clean and dry as possible at all times.
2. Use a Protective Cover
Even where a mobility scooter is designed to cope with all weather conditions, it is still a good idea to provide it with adequate protection. This is where something as simple as a basic protective cover can make a real difference. By protecting your mobility scooter from the worst of the weather, you significantly reduce the risk of weather-related damage and corrosion. Particularly if you do not plan on using your scooter for a while, it’s essential to ensure it is suitably protected.
3. Practice Good Battery Maintenance
Good battery maintenance means two things. Firstly, it means never leaving your mobility scooter with a flat battery for extensive periods of time. If you do not intend to use your scooter for a while, try to ensure the battery is at least half full. Secondly, try to give your battery a decent amount of time to charge each time, rather than simply plugging it in for an occasional 15-30 minutes here and there. Charge your battery until it is full, use it until it is empty, recharge it fully once again and continue this cycle to maximise its lifespan.
4. Check the Tyres
The tyres on your mobility scooter are all that stand between the machine itself and the ground beneath. It is therefore essential to keep an eye on their condition at all times and to ensure that they are correctly inflated (in the case of pneumatic tyres. If you note even the slightest imperfection with the quality or condition of your tyres, it is essential to ensure that they are replaced before using your scooter again.
For more information on any of the above or to discuss any of our products in more detail, contact a member of the team at Mobility Smart today.