Among the four seasons, summer is one of the most anticipated seasons every year.
Beaches are open and all kinds of parks and farms are visited by many. More than that, we can go anywhere we want to go without worrying about sudden rainfall or snowfall. In fact, summer is the perfect season for mobility scooters and this is when we find our scooters most helpful and fun!
You might not want to believe it but the summer season is already here! It is just around the corner so we need to make sure that you and your mobility scooter are summer ready!
If you are thinking of going to parks or even making every moment of summer worth it at your favorite vacation spot, make sure to follow this list of tips and tricks to keep in mind and make sure you and your scooter is safe and of course, have fun!
Consider Buying a Light-Colored Mobility Scooter with Summer Features
If you are still in the stage of choosing what color of scooter you like, make sure to put in consideration the lighter color shade the mobility scooter offers because it is one of the most important things to consider if you are planning to ride in the scorching heat of summers. While most people prefer black scooters by default, and so do we, but if you are in an area where the heat is unbearable in certain hours, days or even months, it is not a wise decision. Black or dark colors are often perceived to be more heat absorbent and we don’t think it is advisable.
Furthermore, some other things to consider before purchasing a mobility scooter that you plan on riding in summer are the scooter shouldn’t overheat easily, its operating temperature has a high limit and there shouldn’t be any known issues in its batteries.
Clean the Outside Surface
Your mobility scooter is likely to have accumulated dust, filth, and grime along the journey. Clean the scooter's surface with a soft moist cloth. If you need to do a lot of cleaning, choose a non-abrasive detergent. Remember to clean the underbelly of the scooter and the battery terminal with care.
Avoid storing your mobility scooter in a high-moisture setting, such as a carport, where it will be exposed to rain. If you must store the scooter outside, you should get a tarp to protect it from the elements.
Battery Maintenance
In all electric bikes and scooters, we all know that battery is one of the most essential parts that the owner needs to take extra good care of and maintain its quality. Most especially if you are someone who enjoys long rides through the flatlands, your battery health is your number one priority.
The owner's manual will tell you how to care for the battery that came with your mobility scooter. Some batteries must be charged often, while others must be entirely depleted before being recharged. You can keep the battery working at its best by charging it properly.
That is why, before hitting the road, no one can ever beat prevention, not even cure, in taking care of your mobility scooter parts but you.
Check your tires
The tires on our vehicles are often overlooked, although they are the only point of contact between our vehicle and the road, and they are crucial to vehicle control and braking.
Although there are standard tires that are usually made for warm weather conditions that come with your ebike, it does not mean that you are worry free in using your mobility scooter during the hot summer conditions. Situations like having excessive air in your tires, or foreign objects going into it that may lead to flat tires are completely inevitable. But you can always avoid unwanted situations like mentioned if you become mindful of your tires or generally, your mobility scooter.
If you have a flat tire on your mobility scooter, you'll have to sit still until it's fixed. To guarantee a smooth and secure ride, pneumatic tires require regular air pressure checks. If your mobility scooter has a different type of tire, consult the owner's manual for information on how to care for it properly.
The following are the most common tire flaws:
- Separation of treads
- Manufacturing flaws
- Older tires that appear to be in good condition but are worn
- Puncture repair that is insufficient
- Failure to repeat
- Tires that are inappropriate for the vehicle
- Due to the difficulty of attaching steel to rubber, the steel belt and tread separated.
- Tires that lack adequate separation prevention design features
- Tires that were damaged while being mounted
Check Your Brakes
Our brakes are something we don't think about very often, yet we put a lot of faith in them. Automobiles and electric bikes are inherently hazardous, and our brakes are one of the first lines of protection in the event of an accident. Brakes, like any other mechanical system, aren't flawless.
Brakes have a finite lifespan even in ideal conditions. They wear out and quit operating over time. Worse, brakes can be poorly designed or have a manufacturing flaw, resulting in them not working at all. That's a frightening thought to consider — how serious is brake failure?
Brake failure is a frightening prospect, but it doesn't happen very often. Brake failures account for only around 5% of all car accidents in the United States each year. Of course, with 5.6 million car accidents in the United States each year, brake failure accounts for roughly 300,000 of them.
Proper braking is critical for your safety. Pedestrians who want to get ahead of you or beat you to a location are likely to jump in front of your mobility scooter. You become a responsible mobility scooter driver when you brake in time to avoid colliding with a pedestrian or hitting a young child. This saves you from injuring someone by accident. It's time to replace your mobility scooter's brakes if they're hesitant or slow to respond.
Examine the Seating Area
Are you able to sit comfortably on your mobility scooter?
Do you have a tendency to lean to one side, causing back pain?
For a safe journey, make sure you're sitting comfortably and can reach all necessary equipment.
Seat depth and width are critical factors in ensuring a safe and comfortable experience. Seats that are too deep may rub behind the knees; seats that are too short may compromise proper support.
If the seat is too wide, you may not have enough stability, especially when turning around corners, but if it is too narrow, you may experience unwanted pressure on the sides of your legs.
The majority of scooter seats:
- Allows you to adjust the height.
- Swivel at least 90 degrees
- For ease of transfer, have arms that flip up or out of the way.
- To accommodate heavy winter clothing, some models have reclining seats, removable arms, or arms with width adjustments.
Check the Motor
If you've ever used a mobility scooter, you're familiar with the sound it produces when it's in operation.
It's essential to come to a halt right away if you hear any strange noises or smell a burning odor.
Mobility scooter engines are extremely reliable, but if you have an older scooter you may experience flatulence, which is when the engine temporarily drops to lower horsepower, causing the scooter to drop. being "shocked" by. If you notice your scooter squealing, that could mean the engine is pulling out and you need to take it to your local scooter repair technician to have it checked ASAP.
After taking some time checking the condition of your ebike, are you really now summer ready? Make sure to follow the tips provided above for you to make the most out of your summer!
Enjoy and have a safe ride!
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Please let us know if you have any questions or if there’s anything we can help you with by contacting us!
Happy riding!
Mobility Shop Online Team