The number of people who use electric scooters is growing quickly.
More and more people are using these devices to commute, get around town, or just for fun.
If you’re lucky enough to have one in your garage, then you need this Ultimate Guide idea on how to maintain an electric scooter!
Table Of Contents
- Proven Electric Scooter Maintenance tips
- 1. Check the tire pressure to make sure it is in good condition
- 2. Keep your scooter clean by washing it with soap and water (if it’s water resistant)
- 3. Make sure that you don’t overfill the battery with acid
- 4. Clean out any debris from the motor or battery compartment
- 5. Always wear a helmet when riding an electric scooter, and never ride on wet surfaces or uphill slopes!
- 6. Avoid using your e-scooter for long distances – instead, use public transportation if possible!
- Excellent tips to maintain a scooter battery
- How to maintain the brake pads of an electric scooter
- How to maintain an electric scooter: the folding joints
- How to maintain the tires of an e-scooter
- How to maintain the belt/chain of an e-scooter
- FAQS about Electric Scooter Maintenance
- Concluding Electric Scooter Maintenance tips
Proven Electric Scooter Maintenance tips
Before you ride off into the sunset, take a few minutes to ensure that your electric scooter is in proper working condition.
It’s easy to overlook basic maintenance tasks like checking tire pressure and brake pads, but these quick checks could save you from catastrophe (i.e., getting stranded on the side of the road).
1. Check the tire pressure to make sure it is in good condition
You will need to check that your electric scooter tire pressure is in good condition.
Your tire pressure should be around 32 psi (pounds per square inch).
If you find that your tires are low, you will need to inflate them.
You can use a bike pump or the air compressor provided with your electric scooter to give it more air and make sure they’re at optimal levels.
Additionally, ensure that you have enough air in the tires at all times.
Sometimes, it can be hard to tell if your electric scooter is low on tire pressure or not because of how much time elapsed since you last checked them.
To avoid this issue and help with punctures, check up on your tire pressure every week before using your bike a lot so that you’re prepared for any emergency situations.
2. Keep your scooter clean by washing it with soap and water (if it’s water resistant)
You will need to wash your e-scooter periodically to keep it sanitary.
Washing with soap and water is the most recommended method for cleaning any electric scooters.
Don’t forget to clean off all of the dirt and grime from around your seat, handles, armrests, footrests as well as other parts that would get dirty when riding on an unpaved surface.
When you’re done washing them down rinse thoroughly using a hose or bucket with fresh water.
When drying use a towel or cloth; do not dry using a blower vacuum cleaner because this can create static electricity which can damage electrical components like wires, bearings, and brushes (or worse) if taken in too close proximity!
Doing so will make sure you’ll be able to enjoy your electric scooter for years to come.
– Clean all dirt and grime from around the handlebars, seat, armrests, footrests, and other parts that will get dirty on an unpaved surface
– When done washing use a towel or cloth to dry them off – do not blow-drying them with a vacuum cleaner as this can create static electricity which may damage electrical components like wires, bearings, and brushes when taken in too close proximity
– Prevention is key!
By following these simple steps you’ll be able to enjoy your electric scooter for many more years to come.
3. Make sure that you don’t overfill the battery with acid
Most electric scooters will come with a li-ion battery.
The battery will have a certain amount of acid in it.
You can’t overfill the li-ion battery with more than this capacity because you’ll risk damaging the cells inside.
Just make sure to keep your fluid levels up and continue topping off when necessary!
An electric scooter is an invaluable tool for commuters, so knowing how to maintain one is key if you want yours running smoothly year after year.
Make sure that you follow these three quick tips below related to the battery, and soon enough, your e-scooter will be as good as new!
Tip # One: Watch out for coolant leaks
Leaking coolant from anywhere on the scooter means trouble ahead…and lots of downtime fixing those seals or hoses until they’re fixed.
Tip # Two: Keep your battery topped off with fluids
It’s easy to forget about the true power source for an electric scooter, but it takes a lot of work to keep that li-ion battery charged and unfailing! Make sure you have enough coolant in at all times so there are no more surprises on your day-to-day commute.
4. Clean out any debris from the motor or battery compartment
Be sure to clean out any debris from the motor or battery compartment.
This ensures that no pieces of trash could fall into these areas and cause damage to the electric scooter.
-If you notice any dents, marks, scratches on your motor, battery compartment, or frame
Be sure to inspect for any smell, dents, marks, or scratches on your motor, battery compartment, or frame.
If you notice that your electric scooter is starting to smell, which will mean there has been a spill or moisture in the compartment then it’s time for a quick clean.
Remove the battery from its slot and use a damp cloth with soap on it to wipe down all surfaces of the battery box.
Make sure not to touch any of the wirings when inside this area as they are fragile and need protection from coming into contact with anything metal such as rings, bracelets, etc.
It should take less than five minutes to complete this task and once finished just put it back together again by reconnecting everything securely so no further issues occur.
If there are unsightly damages such as a scratch in an eyelet bolt hole or a dent in one of the tubular rails then it is recommended to get them fixed at once by bringing it back to where you purchased it from with this type of issue so they can either do the repair themselves or send it off for repairs.
It’s important not to ride until those problems have been resolved because doing so will only make the issue worse.
5. Always wear a helmet when riding an electric scooter, and never ride on wet surfaces or uphill slopes!
While this is an indirect e scooter maintenance tip, it’s important to remember that safety should always come first.
Never ride your electric scooter without a helmet on; even if you’re just going three blocks down the street!
Read: More than 10 reasons to wear a helmet when riding an e-scooter.
Wet surfaces and uphill slopes can make it difficult for an electric scooter to maintain its momentum as well as cause damage to its battery life.
So never go near these areas with your favorite toy.
6. Avoid using your e-scooter for long distances – instead, use public transportation if possible!
Your electric scooter is a great way to get around town, but it’s not meant for long distances.
When your battery is running low, try to avoid using your scooter for long trips – instead, rely on public transportation if possible!
Don’t:
-Drive the scooter more than 15 miles per day
-Leave the motor on until you know that it has fully charged (this can shorten its lifespan)
Do:
-Keep the tires inflated at all times and use only high-quality air pressure checks like KwikTire or equivalent brands.
This will help ensure both the safety and proper performance of the vehicle.
You should check them every time before going out on a ride so they’re always in peak condition! Make sure you check the tire pressure every day.
-Keep it clean by using a mild soap and water solution with a soft cloth or sponge to wipe down each week
-Inspect all parts of your scooter before, during, and after use for wear and tear
-Wipe off any moisture from rain or dew that accumulates on the bodywork between rides (Moisture can corrode metal components)
Excellent tips to maintain a scooter battery
-Charge your e scooter battery before and after every use.
If you forget to charge the battery, it will deteriorate quickly.
This is especially true if your last ride was a long one or uphill.
-Keep the acid levels topped up with distilled water when needed (usually once per season).
Don’t overfill! Electric scooter batteries produce hydrogen gas during charging that can cause an overflow of acid from the cells if they are overfilled.
-Check for visible corrosion on metal parts such as clamps and housing connections and replace them immediately; rusting can conduct electricity even while not in active use leading to undercharged batteries.
Rusted cables should also be replaced at this time.
Take care never to touch the metal parts of the battery terminals with your hands or any other conductive materials.
-Check that all nuts and bolts are tight to ensure a secure connection between cables, clamps, and housings.
Positioning can be changed by loosening screws at connections for more efficient charging as needed.
-Keep an eye on safety lights: if they’re not working properly (flickering) then it’s time to replace them.
If you hear a whistling sound under heavy braking or when accelerating onto hills, it could indicate air in the brake line which needs immediate attention before rebuilding brakes is necessary.
Be sure also to inspect wheels; excessive wear can lead to dangerous vibrations while riding and should be replaced immediately (or swapped out of one wheel).
-Keep your scooter from getting too hot in the sun or rain.
Bring it inside when not using, and if you have to leave it outside overnight make sure there’s a cover over it.
-Turn off the power by removing the battery whenever storing for extended periods of time (i.e., winter months) to prevent corrosion from forming on electrical components within the engine and motor.
-Check all tires before each ride; inflate as needed with correct air pressure levels so that you can avoid punctures or blowouts which are costly to repair.
Keep an eye out for flat spots on tire treads as well – this means more rubber will be touching the ground at one point rather than evenly distributed across the whole surface area.”
What is the life cycle of an electric scooter battery?
For most electric scooter models, the life cycle for a Li electric scooter battery is 500-1000 cycles.
This estimate can vary depending on how you use your battery and where it’s charged.
Batteries lose capacity over time as they go through more charging cycles.
It takes about four hours to charge a typical e-scooter battery using a standard charger that plugs into a wall outlet or eight hours if you’re using a high-performance charger with a higher amperage rating than normal chargers have.
If you find that your batteries are not being fully charged after repeated tries, this could be usually due to damage from excessive heat in both hot weather and winter months when removing racks of clothes from closets or garages which can overheat the battery.
A full charge cycle starts at 100% and the battery is taken down to 0%.
Staying on top of your electric scooter reduces the number of times that it has to go through a total cycle.
We recommend only using the charger that was supplied with your e scooter, or a replacement of equal quality.
Using other chargers may cause an electric scooter battery to be overcharged, undercharged, or improperly charged, reducing its lifespan or even causing it not to start at all.
If your E-scooters battery isn’t holding its charge as long as it used to, you need to replace the lead-acid cells that are inside of it with newer ones–this is more complicated than just changing out the rechargeable batteries in most electronic devices like laptops or cellphones so be sure to have somebody else do this for you or visit an electronics shop if possible!
Tip: Make sure never to leave any object between both tires when turning off your electric scooter because doing so can damage them beyond repair! The best way to store your scooter is by leaning them up against a wall on their kickstand.
How to maintain the brake pads of an electric scooter
First, it’s important to know that brake pads are consumable parts and need to be replaced periodically.
Second, you should keep a close eye on the wear of your brakes so they don’t get too worn out before you replace them.
Third, if one pad is wearing down more quickly than the rest (either from use or being used for braking), switch placement between them every few hundred miles until they’re all at an equal level of wear again – this will help with even distribution of dust particles in the system which can lead to decreased stopping energy.
Fourth, when changing pads make sure both sides have been evenly ground down- any unevenness could cause squealing noises during breaking!
Fifth, if your e-scooter has drum brakes instead of disc brakes, you’ll need to change the brake shoes periodically as well.
Finally, use a grease pen to lubricate anything that moves on your scooter (bearings, etc).
This will help reduce wear and noise.
– Keep an eye on pad wear; replace pads when necessary.
Drum brakes require periodic brake shoe replacement while mechanical or hydraulic braking systems do not.
Lubricate moving parts with water-resistant grease pens at regular intervals so there is less wear among these components which will lead to less noise.
– Keep the chain lubricated and clean.
Grease will keep it moving smoothly, which in turn will help reduce wear on your scooter’s chains and sprockets (which can make some pretty annoying sounds!)
– When you have to replace any of these parts, use a water-resistant grease pen to ensure that everything is well lubricated before putting it back together again; this helps prevent excessive wear from happening so quickly!
How to maintain an electric scooter: the folding joints
-Wipe down the folding joints with a cloth or paper towel to remove any dirt, dust, and debris.
-Apply an anti-corrosion lubricant onto the joint of your scooter every time you ride it (or as often as is recommended).
-Never store your e-scooter in moist conditions.
Moisture can corrode metal parts and electrical components which could lead to rust on important parts like these folding joints, hinges, bolts, gears, etc…
Folding joints vary in strength and may become loose over time.
They can be adjusted as needed to tighten the connection using a household tool or the tools included with the scooter.
Refer to your manual on how to do this at home if you need help, or take it into a bicycle shop for same-day service.
How to maintain the tires of an e-scooter
The tires of an e-scooter are the most important part to maintain because they make contact with the ground.
If you have been riding your scooter every day, it is common for your tires to slowly lose air pressure and start wearing down.
Here’s how to fix that:
* Inspecting tire wear – check what condition your tires are in by looking at their treads; if there isn’t much left then maybe its time for a new set
A great way to do this without damaging anything yourself is by filling up pools of inflatable toys like a rubber ducky or ball with water and placing them on the ground.
You can then walk and see how much they sink in, which will give you an idea of how much tread is left
* Adjusting tire pressure – if your tires are too low or flat it’s time to adjust their air pressure
The best way to do this is with a bike pump that has a gauge attached so you know what PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) your scooter requires; most e-scooters require 40PSI but newer models may need more depending on weight distribution
* Removing debris from inside tires – sometimes bits of dirt get stuck between the rubber and steel parts of the wheel casing causing friction; when you remove this material things should be smoother as well as make the tires last longer
* Replacing treads – when you have less than one inch of tread left on your tire it’s time to replace them; otherwise, they won’t be able to grip and stop effectively
* Cleaning the contacts – if there is some sort of corrosion or dirt build-up where the footpad meets with its battery pack then this can affect how quickly your scooter starts as well as cause a potential fire hazard. Use water and baking soda in order to clean these areas out.
Hard tires will generally last longer than softer ones.
The rear wheels on scooters with heel breaks will wear down quickly, so you need to replace them much more often.
How to maintain the belt/chain of an e-scooter
The belt or chain on your electric scooter is an important feature that should not be taken for granted.
The easiest way to maintain the belt/chain of your e-scooter is by keeping it clean and lubricated with a small amount of bicycle oil.
Make sure you fill-up the reservoir every time you charge and do so generously–properly lubed belts will make all of your rides much more comfortable! If at any point, the e-scoot feels as if it’s dragging along, try using a little WD40 in conjunction with some water to create a cleaning mixture which can then be applied onto both sides of the drive belt.
This process may need to be repeated several times before seeing improvement but after enough application, the belt should start to work properly again.
If the drive chain on your e-scooter has a tendency of not moving, or making noise when in use, it’s most likely because there is too much grease and grime build-up between its teeth.
Remove as much dirt as possible with a dry cloth before spraying some WD40 onto both sides of the chain (as well), but make sure you only apply this lubricant sparingly–too much will cause more problems than needed!
Tip: If at any point, you feel that something isn’t right about your electric scooter be sure to take it for regular maintenance which can usually be done by anyone who owns an electrical repair shop nearby.
Most shops offer repairs within the same day, and for a small fee.
FAQS about Electric Scooter Maintenance
How do I lubricate my electric scooter?
Lubricating your electric scooter’s chain is an important part of maintaining it.
This will ensure that the bike does not overheat or wear out prematurely.
-A small amount of bicycle chain lubricant can be applied directly to the chain with a cotton cloth, and then wiped off so as not to leave any residue on either side of the links in contact with each other (e.g., between one metal plate and another).
-If you are storing your electric scooter for more than two months, we recommend applying lube monthly until ready for riding again before use.
How often do e-scooters need maintenance?
The frequency to maintain your electric scooter will depend on how often it is used.
For example, a high school student who rides their scooter every day to and from campus should perform maintenance monthly or weekly depending on the severity of usage.
– If the scooter is used every day, perform maintenance monthly or weekly. The more often it is ridden, the more attention and care should be given to cleaning and maintaining it.
– Every other week or once a month: oil change (if applicable), checking tire pressure, inspecting brakes for wear and tear
– Once per year: replacing pads, inspecting battery life span
– Every two years: replace tires.
How do you keep balance on an electric scooter?
To keep balance, the rider should keep their hands on the handles at all times.
To make a turn, push down with one hand and pull up with another simultaneously to lean in that direction.
If traveling downhill or uphill, it is essential to have two feet firmly planted on either side of the scooter’s deck (the electric motor).
The process of balancing an electric scooter begins by educating yourself about its design features before riding for your first time.
The more you know about how an electric scooter operates, the better equipped you will be when handling any situation.
To learn how to ride safely and effectively–whether using this type of vehicle as transportation or recreation–you’ll need these five things:
knowledge of rules & regulations;
understanding of your device;
knowledge of the environment where you’ll be riding;
awareness of your surroundings (cars, pedestrians, etc.);and understanding safety practices for handling accidents or emergencies.
Here are some tips on how to handle various situations:
-If someone is walking out in front of you with no warning: Look at them through their eyes–they’re not looking at anything so they don’t know there’s an obstacle coming towards them!
Slow down a little bit before swerving around that person or object as this will help avoid any serious injuries if contact does occur.
Stay safe by being alert and aware of what’s going on around you while operating an electric scooter.
-If someone walks into my path from behind without noticing me: As you’re riding, keep an eye on your surroundings and make sure to be aware of anyone who may not see or hear you coming up from behind.
If they start walking into the path in front of you, slow down for a little bit until they move out of the way so that any contact with them is at a low speed.
-If I’m going over 15 mph (the maximum top speed): Always wear protective gear when operating an electric scooter–especially if it’s being driven faster than 15mph.
It’s also important to always check local laws before traveling onto sidewalks as this varies depending on where you are in North America or Europe.
Ride responsibly by checking how fast your vehicle can go while following safety precautions on how to ride safely.
-If I’m going under 15 mph: it’s not as important for the rider to wear protective gear, but still be careful and responsible when riding on sidewalks or in areas where there may be pedestrians with pets, children, etc.
How do you take care of an electric scooter?
Maintaining an electric scooter is easier than maintaining a gas-powered scooter.
Electric scooters don’t need to be drained of fuel or oiled regularly, and they don’t require much maintenance at all.
The best thing you can do for your electric scooter is kept it off the surfaces that might scratch its body (like concrete) with protective gear like kneepads for adults and helmets for children.
That way, if something does happen, there won’t be any scratches on the paintwork!
Electric Scooters also don’t need regular tune-ups because their motors are so small compared to gas-powered ones; this saves you time and money in the long run without sacrificing performance or reliability when you need your scooter the most.
Best practices:
– Keep it off of concrete or other surfaces that might scratch up the paintwork with kneepads and helmets on adults/children. This will prevent dings from happening even if something does happen down the line when you really need your electric scooters in working order.
– Don’t use too much power (i.e.: try not to go uphill), because then you’ll just be wasting energy – make every ride count by choosing flat routes instead. You should also avoid riding when it’s raining outside; water is bad news for electric scooters.
– Check the brakes before you go out for a ride. If they’re not in great condition, then it’s best to just replace them altogether (most of your guide on how to maintain a scooter is going to be about these two components). You can also make adjustments so that the brake lever gives better feedback when applied – this helps with safety and differentiating between braking input vs idle resting state.
– Change oils regularly, especially if you’ve been neglecting maintenance because life got busy or something like that; otherwise, performance will start dropping off as wear and tear accumulates over time.”
Concluding Electric Scooter Maintenance tips
We hope that you have learned how to maintain an electric scooter the best way.
The most important thing is safety, so make sure that you’re wearing a helmet and protective gear when riding or carrying your vehicle around before cleaning it thoroughly after every use.
You can also check with local laws for information on driving restrictions in order to ensure compliance with rules of the road as well as any parking regulations relevant to where you live.
If there are no such limitations, find out what your property owner’s policies are about storing an electric scooter indoors or outdoors.
And if everything goes smoothly from here on out – congratulations!
You should be able to enjoy many more safe rides without worrying about damaging your device or how to fix it because now you know exactly how to take care of your e-scooter.