A four-wheel mobility scooter outshines its three-wheel counterpart in its enhanced stability, making it the better outdoor option.
4-wheel mobility scooters are designed with a wider base and four contact points to the ground, which optimize their balance while cruising at blistering speeds. They’re also the ultimate off-roaders in the scooter world.
But despite its superior performance, a four-wheel scooter’s efficiency depends on proper care and maintenance.
Read below as we highlight the various ways to care and maintain your 4-wheel mobility scooter.
1. Follow a Routine Cleaning Schedule
Since 4-wheel mobility scooters are commonly used outdoors, they can quickly gather dust and dirt. Cleaning the scooter regularly prevents debris from accumulating on its surface and potentially reducing its performance.
The combination of warm, soapy water is all you require to clean your four-wheel mobility scooter. Avoid harsh cleaning products, such as those containing alcoholic compounds, as these might damage the vehicle’s sensitive parts.
While cleaning your 4 wheel scooter, start with the internal components and work your way out. Be sure also to wipe the scooter’s undersides and the battery pack, since these parts can quickly bear the brunt of grime accumulation.
As for the cleaning frequency, that would depend on how often you use your mobility scooter.
2. Check the Tire Pressure Regularly
A scooter’s tires are in constant touch with the ground. Therefore, keeping their pressure in check can optimize the scooter’s performance and ensure a smooth ride.
Overinflating your 4-wheeler’s tires can reduce their braking capabilities and accelerate the wearing of the center of the treads.
On the other hand, underinflating the tires can increase the risks of blowouts and cause the outer edges to wear down much faster.
According to experts, it’s best to maintain your four-wheel mobility scooter’s tire pressure at around 50 pounds per square inch (PSI). The actual pressure will depend on the tires’ size and width.
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3. Lubricate All Moving Components
Lubrication reduces the friction between a four-wheel mobility scooter’s moving components, such as the clamps, axles, and headset, thereby enhancing the vehicle’s efficiency and durability.
Even if your four-wheeler is visibly in perfect shape, applying a lubricant to its moving components can muffle annoying sounds and vibrations while the scooter is in motion.
Remember to check a lubricant’s composition to ensure it contains professionally recommended materials before using it on your scooter. Then, apply the grease moderately and wipe off any excess oil to prevent it from drawing dust back to the treated parts.
4. Inspect the Brake Pads Regularly
One of the most dreadful experiences for mobility scooter users is losing control of the vehicle while cruising at blistering speeds. You can only imagine the consequences if your four-wheeler’s brakes were to fail while riding downhill.
To avert potentially grim consequences, it’s imperative to inspect your scooter’s brake pads at least once a month. Shine a torch into the calipers and examine how much of the brake pad material is left.
As a general rule, a four-wheel mobility scooter must maintain at least 1.5 – 2 millimeters of brake pads. Anything less is your cue to replace the pads.
5. Examine the Lighting System
Like other usual cars scooters also have a variety of lights to enhance visibility and security during road usage. It is always recommended that before going on a journey, you should examine the lighting system of your four-wheel scooter, whether the surroundings is well-lit or not.
To ensure your 4-wheeler headlights and signals are in good condition, it is recommended to first check the battery with the key switch. Now, switch on the lights and observe for any signs of low voltage in the battery pack.
A lower voltage points to a problem in the battery pack and thus warrants engineering attention. Before moving on to the next step, the problem must be repaired.
If the battery is okay then check the lights by pressing the Switch button for a short time. The usually deployed control button is normally placed on either the handle bar of the scooter or at the front part of the scooter. It is advisable to check all the lights; the headlights, the tail lights, turn lights and the brake lights.
6. Store Your Scooter in a Cool, Dry Place
Moisture can accelerate the corrosion of your four-wheel scooter’s metallic components, thereby shortening its lifespan. Extended exposure to high-humid environments may also damage the vehicle’s electrical components, including the battery and lighting systems.
Fortunately, you can minimize the adverse effects of moisture on your four-wheel mobility scooter by storing it in a cool, dry place.
To prevent moisture build-up on your 4-wheel scooter, use a soft towel to wipe it thoroughly after every cleaning session or after you’ve been riding it in the rain. And if you’re planning to store your mobility scooter for months, make arrangements for scheduled moisture inspections.
7. Don’t Forget To Insure Your Scooter
Despite your best efforts to optimize your 4-wheel scooter’s performance and longevity, regular care and maintenance may not cushion your scooter from unforeseen misfortunes like theft. That’s where scooter insurance comes in.
Getting your four-wheel scooter insured provides financial protection in the unfortunate event of theft, accidents, or vandalism. It also exonerates you from liability for injuries and property damage resulting from riding the scooter.
Fortunately, there’s no shortage of mobility scooter insurance companies. Little research is all it takes to find an insurer that suits your scooter’s needs.
Final Word
Mobility scooters have an average lifespan of five years, which is slightly longer than traditional wheelchairs (four years).
While you’ll have to replace your mobility scooter sooner or later depending on the frequency of use, implementing the above maintenance tips can prolong the vehicle’s durability significantly.
