We have organized a step-by-step check-up routine for your power wheelchair or mobility scooter to ensure it continues to operate as smoothly as possible.

Like any other sophisticated pieces of equipment, power wheelchairs and mobility scooters require regular maintenance to keep them in good working order. Minor maintenance can even be done by you or a loved one without needing too many tools. If you take care of your wheelchair or mobility scooter regularly, you will extend the life of your unit and keep the overall cost of maintenance low.  Here are a few things that you can do on a monthly basis to keep your equipment running at full capacity. 

TIP: Set a maintenance date for your wheelchair or scooter each month to help you get into the habit of giving it a health check-up. 

Monthly check-up routine:

1. Lay newspaper or cardboard underneath your device, so any dirt, crumbs, screws/bolts or hair can be easily gathered during clean-up.
2. Wipe down the seat upholstery, wheelchair frame, footrests, hand rims and wheels with a damp cloth or a gentle cleanser.  Don’t use a hose or strong water pressure to clean under the seat or in hard-to-reach areas.  Instead, try a duster or a reacher with a cloth wrapped around it.  You can finish off by spraying any upholstered components with fabric refresher or antibacterial spray.
3. Inspect screws and bolts to see if any are loose. Often a 7/15” hex or Allen key or a ½” wrench should work for most hardware.
4. Check that all back hardware and control hardware is tight.  If you find anything loose, verify where it comes from and tighten the bolt.  You may want a loved one to assist with this, as tightening the bolt may require a change in the sitting posture you’ve become used to. If you have pneumatic (or air-filled) tires, check the air pressure.  The recommended pressure is usually marked on the tires.  This is measured in PSI (or pounds per square inch).  Also, check your tires for cracks and wear.  Check for loose wires. If any loose wires are present, tie or clip them down to limit the risk of them catching.
5. Check to be sure all electrical connections are secure and that they aren’t corroding.  Corrosion can be caused by rain or other moisture coming in contact with electrical parts.
6. Inspect the shrouds, the plastic shields that cover the motors and batteries, for cracks or damage.  This helps protect the electronics from exposure to moisture, which can cause damage.

Daily check-up routine:

In addition to completing a monthly check-up, batteries should be fully charged every day as part of your daily maintenance routine.  Unlike cell phone batteries, power wheelchair and mobility scooter batteries should not be drained completely of power, as this would be a detriment to their lifespan potential. 

Taking care of your power wheelchair or mobility scooter will save you from any unexpected downtime, and loss of mobility as a result. To book a more comprehensive maintenance check-up or to schedule a repair, contact the Motion location nearest you for an appointment with one of our technical experts.