A complete guide on how to look after your mobility scooter

How to look after your mobility scooter

Are you wondering how to best look after your mobility scooter or powerchair to ensure it remains in good condition and increases its lifespan? Every TGA scooter needs to be serviced annually by TGA or a reputable dealer to ensure your warranty is valid. This will give you the best product performance so that independence is not compromised and peace of mind is assured. However in between regular servicing appointments, there are a few ways to make sure you get the most out of your scooter…

How to keep your mobility scooter clean

It is always worth regularly cleaning your scooter to improve safety. By removing dirt from your lights you are far more visible to other road users. If your scooter has mirrors it is best to polish these so you have clear visibility to the rear. Washing with soapy water (not with a jet wash) can help protect wheels and suspension. Tyres that are not covered in mud will provide greater range, a smoother ride and ensure braking is more responsive. It is also a good idea to clean your seat and vacuum the floor-well so durability is maximized.

Even though TGA scooters are engineered with quality, durable components, cleaning bodywork, wheel arches and the undercarriage where possible can reduce the minimal risk of corrosion. Tyres that are not covered in mud will provide greater range, a smoother ride and ensure braking is still responsive when needed. Use of a jet wash can be appropriate around wheels and suspension however parts that contain intricate electrical circuits, such as the tiller and battery box, are better cleaned with a cloth. It is also a good idea to clean the seat with an appropriate leather spray and vacuum the floor well so durability is maximized.

Take care of your batteries

How do I get the most life out of my new mobility scooter or powerchair batteries?

To maximise the life of your batteries, it is best to complete a full charge for the first 10-15 times that you use your scooter. This simply means however far you travel, do not just top-up for a short while, but complete the full charge cycle every time. Your batteries will not work at their best until this process has been carried out and will prolong power and performance. You will find the distance your scooter can travel will gradually increase over its first few weeks as your batteries reach optimum efficiency.

When is it best to charge my batteries?

After 10-15 cycles have been completed, a normal charging routine can be adopted.

• Depending on the capacity of the batteries, the charge time can vary up to a maximum of 16 hours
• The charger will automatically shut down when the batteries are fully charged, so you do not have to worry about switching it off. This is ideal for overnight charging.
• Whenever possible try to avoid interrupting a charge cycle. It is always best to complete a full charge cycle as excessive short term charging is detrimental to battery life.
• For the very best results and to maximise battery life, charge fully before and after use.
• Please refer to charger indicator lights for battery status.

How do I store and maintain my batteries?

• If your scooter will not be used for a while or is being stored, make sure the batteries are fully charged first.
• If your scooter is not being used, make sure the batteries receive a refresher charge every 14 weeks. Alternatively, if you are planning not to use your scooter for over 6 weeks, fully charge your batteries and then disconnect.
• Fully charge the batteries before re-use.
• Never leave the batteries in a discharged state.
• Avoid damp, hot or cold extremes when storing your scooter.
• Batteries are totally sealed and do not require any maintenance apart from charging.

How to charge your mobility scooter batteries

1. Switch off your scooter and remove key.

2. Plug charger into scooter charge socket.

3. Push charger plug into wall socket and switch socket on.

4. There will be a light sequence on the charger but as all chargers are different, refer to charger instructions.

5. Most scooters will have an inhibit mode which will shut down all the scooters electrics while the charger is plugged in.

6. Only use the charger supplied with your scooter.

7. Do not smoke or use a naked flame while batteries are being charged.

8. Do not leave charger plugged into your scooter when the charger is switched off as this may discharge your batteries.

9. For a complete charge do not switch off, unplug or interrupt the charge cycle until it is complete.

It is worth considering that in extreme cold weather the time your batteries take to charge can increase by up to 20%. The range of your scooter will also vary based on weather conditions. Also when your batteries reach the end of their useful life, you will find that charging time will become much shorter. The amount of charge the batteries can hold will become less and less as will your scooter range until ultimately they become unusable.

Performing regular mobility scooter safety checks

It can be beneficial for you to quickly check your scooter once a month to see whether everything is working properly. It only takes a few minutes and by checking the following you can rest assured your scooter will continue to perform to the best of its ability. Make a date once a month on your calendar to check:

• Tyre tread is there plenty of grip left on your tyres? If there are areas that are going bald, then its time for a replacement to be fitted.
• Tyre pressure are your pneumatic tyres filled correctly? If not, braking and your battery range will be affected. Always refer to your User Manual for the correct tyre pressure. Plus, the TGA award-winning sealant can be injected into pneumatic tyres to significantly reduce the risk of experiencing a puncture.
• Lights are your headlight, tail lights and indicators all working? Fully operational lights are always advisable whether driving during the day or night.
• Functions are all the controls on your mobility scooter working? A quick test to see whether functions such as speed control, horn and brakes are all ok will keep you safer.
• Minor faults sometimes a TGA scooter may develop a small problem. This is rare however if you notice a minor issue it is always worth getting it checked out as soon as possible. If you don’t, this problem could develop into something more costly to repair.
• Annual service booked with TGA? Making sure your scooter is serviced by qualified professionals every year ensures your warranty remains valid and product performance is maximised.

We offer a variety of service plans at TGA, designed to give you peace of mind. Discover our mobility scooter and powerchair service plans here.