Maintaining your Mobility Scooter in the Winter - Mobility Scooters

With the winter months fast approaching it is important to think about the maintenance and storage of your mobility scooter as the weather starts to get colder. Proper storage of your mobility scooter during the winter months will ensure that it is ready to go when you are, and our handy little guide will show you how.

General Mobility Scooter Maintenance

Winter Maintenance

Servicing

If you have a mobility scooter that needs to be serviced every year it is recommended that you do so before the winter. This will not only help with the maintenance of the vehicle but will ensure that it is safe and reliable to use whatever the weather.

Cleaning

Regularly clean your mobility scooter after use to get rid of any mud, oil or salt that it has picked up during its journey. This will delay any erosion that might occur like rust on metal parts and pitting on chrome surfaces. Cleaning the mobility scooter can also uncover hidden faults or cracks that can then be fixed to ensure a safe and reliable ride. We recommended regular cleaning with our CareCo Mobility Scooter Care Kit.

Tyres

The winter months usually bring with it an array of rain, ice and snow, so it is recommended that you check your tyres for signs of wear and tear and replace if necessary. If your mobility scooter has pneumatic tyres you should ensure that they are pumped up to the correct pressure, which will give you added grip in slippery conditions.

Storage

Storage of a mobility scooter in the winter is a primary concern for many who do not have room in their homes for their vehicle. If your mobility scooter is stored outside it is recommended that you get a cover for it to protect it from the weather. Here at CareCo, we stock a wide range of scooter storage covers which are designed to be easy to use and are fully waterproof, ideal for outside storage. If the mobility scooter’s battery can be removed it is a good idea to bring it inside during the winter. Cold and frosty conditions can degrade the life of the battery, those batteries which cannot be removed are usually tested in extreme conditions so should be fine to be left outside.

Out and about

When you go out in your mobility scooter during the winter it is important that you take some precautions. Wearing thermal and waterproof clothes will ensure that you are comfortable during your journey, and seat covers will ensure that your seat stays comfortable for years to come. High visibility clothing is also advised so that you are easily seem by other people during the darker days and nights. Some people cover up the control panel to protect it from the rain, but modern mobility scooters have advanced waterproofing of the electrical components, so it is entirely up to you. Leave your battery charging until the last possible moment before you leave on your journey. The cold conditions can reduce the range of your battery considerably, but leaving them on to charge will ensure a warm battery which can help. Finally, check the weather forecast before taking a journey on your mobility scooter and don’t take any unnecessary risks when it comes to ice, snow or heavy rain conditions.