Mobility scooters have become highly essential for those living with disabilities. Despite their reliability, mobility scooters may accrue damages by bad weather, particularly during winter when snows fall. During this time, your scooter may need a little more care to keep it running smoothly. The first, and most important step, is to ensure your mobility scooter is well stored during winter to serve you well and save you money from any unnecessary repair costs.
Related: Can You Take a Mobility Scooter Out in the Rain?
Just like you’d wrap yourself warm when heading out during winter, your mobility scooter needs to keep warm as well to function optimally and avoid unnecessary repairs.
The following steps are necessary to keep your mobility scooter warm.
1. Clean and dry it before storage
Regular cleaning and drying of your mobility scooter are essential in ensuring it is safe from any form of moisture. Cleaning will ensure you get rid of mud or debris and drying it will ensure you remove all the moisture that may interfere with the electric system of the scooter. Cleaning may also reveal any hidden cracks or faults on your scooter.
2. Cover and store your scooter in a safe, dry place
Leaving your mobility scooter outside may make it vulnerable to the weather, hence damage its electrical components. One of the most important safety measures for your mobility scooter during winter is to ensure it is covered and dry when not in use. Doing this will ensure the frames likely protected from rust, moisture, and any other damaging element.
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Sometimes you may be having only outdoor space in which to store a mobility scooter. In such a case, ensure you cover it up with a good quality waterproof cover. There are weather-resistant covers that can help you keep your scooter warm. Once covered, you ensure your mobility scooter mostly stored in a warm, dry place to avoid attracting any possible moisture. Do not leave it in the cold for it may attract some moisture that may damage its electric system.
3. Ensure your scooter battery is safe from freezing
During winter, the temperature will likely go below 45oF. Such low temperatures can potentially harm the batteries on your scooter. Ideally, mobility scooters should always stored in a warm, dry place. Unfortunately, not everyone has the space to store a mobility scooter inside their home. To ensure your batteries are safe, never allow them to freeze because that will kill them or lower their performance.
Worse, a frozen battery may fail to recharge, hence the additional cost of purchasing a new battery. In case you don’t intend to use your mobility scooter when the weather is extremely cold, remove the battery and store it in your home in a safe, dry place. Ensure your battery is fully charged before storage.
4. Regularly charge your mobility scooter
When out with your mobility scooter in the cold, or driving on a snowy day, ensure it is properly charged to keep it going. Cold weather is never friendly to a battery that is not well charged, so make sure the device is well charged before venturing out.
