You’ve finally bought your very own electric scooter! To avoid unnecessary and costly repairs and extend the life of your scooter, it’s best to think ahead. To do this, you need to maintain it. Here are a few do-it-yourself tips to keep your scooter in top condition.
Battery care
As you can imagine, the battery is the heart of a scooter. It’s essential that you pay special attention to it. First of all, there are three types of battery: lithium, nickel and lead. Unfortunately, in both cases, batteries will eventually lose autonomy as they age. The secret to preserving batteries is how to recharge them. That’s why it’s important to know your battery inside out. For example, it is not recommended to let your lithium battery discharge completely. Partial recharging is strongly recommended. To avoid wearing out or even destroying the battery, we recommend using the charger supplied with your scooter. Also, never expose the battery to heat.
Ensuring good roadholding
Like all vehicles, tires need to be looked after. There are different types of tire for electric scooters: tubed, tubeless, honeycomb and rubber. It’s essential to check the condition of your tires once a week, as they can become deflated, damaged or even punctured during a ride. The best way to avoid such problems is to check the pressure. For example, tube tires need to be inflated 1 or 2 times a month. If your scooter is fitted with solid rubber wheels, they are maintenance-free. However, this type of wheel will need to be changed frequently.
Be aware that if the little patterns on the tires have disappeared, it means they’re completely flat and need replacing.
Check the condition of your brakes
Again, there are two types of brake: disc or drum. When buying a scooter, find out about its braking system. Don’t wait until you hear a suspicious noise before braking. Similarly, if you notice that your braking distance is getting longer, it’s time to change the brakes.
Drum brakes need to be regularly adjusted by checking the cable tension. We recommend this check every 3 months.
For disc brakes, it’s the thickness of the lining covering the pads that wears out. You also need to adjust the tension using the cable. If this is not done, once the pads are destroyed, the disc will be directly damaged.
The folding system and screws
It may not be the first thing you think of when buying an electric scooter, but the screws and bolts are just as essential as the battery. As it is subjected to a great deal of vibration during use, you need to check which screws can move, and the folding system. Generally speaking, all you need to do is use a simple Allen wrench and give it a quarter-turn. If you notice that a screw is missing, we advise you to replace it immediately.
In addition, lubricate the folding system every 2 to 4 months to prevent squeaking. If you have any doubts, don’t hesitate to take your scooter directly to a professional team.
Cleaning your scooter
First and foremost, DO NOT wash your scooter with a garden hose. You can’t clean it like a bike or a car. Your scooter is not 100% waterproof! Use a dry cloth for the handlebars and speedometer. For the rest, a damp cloth and elbow grease will do. Never use corrosive products. Then simply leave your bike to dry in the open air. And that’s all there is to it.
