Top FAQ's On Mobility Scooter Maintenance Answered

If you have recently bought a mobility scooter, you probably can’t wait to get out there with it and with good reason. A mobility scooter can change your life and will give you a completely new level of freedom and independence. For that reason as well as the fact that mobility scooters are an investment, they need to be maintained regularly, to ensure that they last as long as possible.

Mobility Maintenance Frequently Asked Questions

To help you, we’ve answered some frequently asked questions below relating to the maintenance of mobility scooters. If you have a question that we have not answered, please contact SA Scootershop for more information or assistance.

Let’s get started!

Battery Maintenance:

The battery is a crucial component of any electrical mobility scooter. They come in different sizes and with different amounts of energy to suit the size, purpose, and power of each mobility ride.

1. How do you maintain the batteries in a mobility scooter?


Try to keep your batteries clean, particularly the terminals, at all times. Make sure the connections to the terminals are tight and unobstructed. Furthermore, store your battery in a cool, dry place away from extreme temperatures and humidity. It’s also important to make sure that it’s fully charged before storing it away.

2. Should I leave my mobility scooter on charge all the time?


No, not all the time. When you put your mobility scooter on charge, leave it until it has been fully charged. This could take up to 12 hours or more so charging overnight could be a viable option. However, if you are not charging it then unplug the charger.

3. Can I use car batteries in my mobility scooter?


No, the battery in your car will not work on your mobility scooter. Car batteries are designed to provide a short burst of very high current, whereas the mobility scooter’s batteries, allow for longer periods of constant low current.

4. How do you test a mobility scooter battery?


There are three ways in which you can test the battery on your mobility scooter. Before commencing with the test you will need to locate the battery meter/indicator, this will tell you how much power is left in the battery. The battery should also be fully charged, before testing.

• At a stand-still, take note of where the battery indicator needle is or how many LED lights are lit up on your LED meter. While stationary, press or push the levers that make your mobility scooter run. Be sure to be on a flat level surface for best results. If the needle or LED lights decrease rapidly as you begin to move, then your batteries are weak and need to be replaced.
• Another effective way of measuring the strength of your mobility scooter batteries is to ride it up a slope grade that is 75% of the mobility scooter’s capability. Take note of how many LED lights or what percentage the needle is on the indicator then ride up the ramp. If your battery indicator is near full and then drops to below halfway, the batteries need to be replaced.
• The absolute best way to identify the power left in a mobility scooter battery is to test them with a multimeter. If you do not have one, SA Scootershop will be able to help you test them.

5. What is the average life of a mobility scooter battery?


While mobility scooter batteries can last anywhere from 12 months to 4 years depending on the type, there are a few things you can do to make sure you’re getting the most out of its lifespan.

Here are some general tips for charging your battery to make them last:

• Charge after each trip
• Charge overnight
• Don’t push your battery so it’s nearly empty – it’s better for the battery’s lifespan and your safety to top it up regularly.
• If you haven’t used your mobility scooter recently, charge it up just to be sure.
• Only use the dedicated charger that comes with your mobility scooter to maximise the lifespan

6. What happens if you overcharge your electric mobility scooter?


There are a few signs that will tell you, your electric mobility scooter is overcharged. They are:

• The battery drains out fast: Overcharging causes a degradation of the plates in between the cells. This causes the electrolytes inside the battery to evaporate lowering the ability to hold a charge.
• Battery overheating: Overcharging causes a resistance effect within the battery, which causes the emission of heat. The heat can destroy the battery.
• Warped, swollen and bursting: When overheating happens, the battery tends to become bloated, rounded, warped or bulge out.
• Leakage of residue: The batteries are typically sealed tightly, however, because of the pressure and heat emanating from overcharging this can result in the outer case cracking and cause leakage.

Protection Against Rain & Water:

1. What happens if my mobility scooter gets wet?


Your mobility scooter is equipped with electronics, and direct or prolonged exposure to water or dampness may cause it to malfunction electronically and or mechanically. Water can cause the electrical components to corrode and the frame of the mobility scooter to rust.

If your mobility scooter does get wet, you need to do the following to prevent any further damage:

• Wipe down the most important parts, such as the controls, and then moving to other surfaces such as the seats. Drying all the upholsteries will prevent any further possible spillages to the electronic parts, which can cause damage and corrosion.
• Wipe the battery down with a dry cloth.
• Place your mobility scooter in a warm, dry area for some time to allow any unseen water or dampness to evaporate.

2. Can I drive my mobility scooter in the rain?


Up to a certain point, your mobility scooter will be able to handle the rain, but it’s always recommended that you be cautious by slowing down when driving in the rain. It is however safer to take cover and wait till the rain stops before you go out to avoid problems associated with getting your mobility scooter wet.

3. What happens if you leave a mobility scooter in the rain?


It is important to remember that although mobility scooters are water and splash resistant, they are not waterproof. Hence they are not designed to be left out in the rain. Leaving it out can result in a number of problems, including, damage to the electronic systems, rust and corrosion to the body of the scooter.

4. How do you keep a mobility scooter dry?


The first step to keeping your mobility scooter dry and protect it from getting wet is to check the weather before taking it out. If you are unexpectedly caught in the rain on your mobility scooter, you can consider getting a mobility scooter protective cover. Alternatively, keep a plastic bag with you, and if it does start raining while out you can at least protect the tiller from getting wet.

General Troubleshooting

1. Why does my mobility scooter suddenly stop?

If your mobility scooter stops suddenly or cuts out completely, the very first thing you should check is the battery meter. If it was fully charged before going out, it could indicate a problem with the battery.

2. Why does my mobility scooter keep losing power?


There are many reasons why a mobility scooter could lose power, most of the time it would likely be due to a defective battery. Another possibility could be a loss of signal because of a disconnected wire between the controller and the motor. Lastly, it could also be the motor. If it is, the mobility scooter will usually start to slow down or even make some noise before eventually turning off.

3. Why does my mobility scooter keep beeping and won't move?


There are diagnostic beep codes for your mobility scooter and were designed to help you perform basic troubleshooting quickly and easily. Please refer to your owner’s manual for more information on the beep codes.

Maintaining Your Mobility Scooter

Now that you’re armed with the information you need and know what to look out for. You can be sure that you’ll be getting the most out of your mobility scooter.

However, in the case where a repair needs to be done, it would be advisable to bring it into our workshop, where our highly skilled and experienced technicians can take a look at it. Our workshops are conveniently located across South Africa and are open for walk-in repairs.

If you are perhaps looking for quality spare products for your mobility scooter, then you can buy them online here!