Riding an electric scooter is often a choice for freedom in driving. However, there are some constraints to respect if you want to keep your vehicle in good working condition for as long as possible.
To avoid electric scooter repairs, it is better to anticipate potential problems that may arise during use. To extend the lifespan of your two-wheeler, here are some easy tips to apply for electric scooter maintenance. We also advise our customers to choose our electric scooter maintenance package for greater peace of mind.
Which parts are likely to wear out on an electric scooter?
To properly use and keep your electric scooter in good condition, the best thing to do is first to know your vehicle perfectly in order to take care of it. Some parts are more likely to break due to your usage, but also simply due to natural wear. However, this can be delayed by paying extra attention to parts that require more specific maintenance.
The battery
If there is one part that will unfortunately wear out eventually, it is the electric scooter battery. Although we have moved into the era of lithium-ion batteries, which are lighter, more compact, and have a better lifespan, they are designed to operate for a certain number of cycles. But rest assured, the recharge cycles are often designed to last 1000 cycles or more.
But what is a battery cycle? It is not the total number of charges, but the number of times the battery has been recharged from 0 to 100%. For example, if you perform a first charge going from 30% battery remaining to 90%, then a second from 40% to 80%, you will have completed only one full cycle in total.
So there is plenty of time on that front, but we will see in more detail later in this guide that there are simple usage rules to keep the electric scooter battery healthy.
The tires
The tires ensure a comfortable ride as well as the road grip of your electric scooter. If your scooter has tires with an inner tube, it is important to regularly check their overall condition and cold inflation, of course, to properly maintain your electric scooter.
Indeed, monitoring tire pressure prevents many punctures on the road. An underinflated tire can lead to a risk of premature damage not necessarily visible immediately. It will eventually deform under your weight, causing an increase in internal temperature that can lead to bursting and thus electric scooter repair in a workshop.
Rolling resistance will also be affected, causing a loss of power from the motor. If your tires are tubeless, meaning a system without an inner tube, you are not at risk of punctures. However, it is still important to check the external condition of the tire to ensure good stability on the road, both in dry and wet conditions.
The puncture-proof solid tire solution
If you are not very careful, Weebot advises you to install puncture-proof tires on your electric scooter. There are several models of compatible solid tires for different models.
Whether in honeycomb or soft solid rubber, these will still wear out faster than inflatable tires. They also change the road behavior with a tendency to slip more. Your comfort will also be less and you will feel more road vibrations. It is then a matter of choice in electric scooter maintenance.
The screws
At Weebot, we advise you to check the condition of the screws on your electric scooter at least once a month. Your vehicle (personal mobility device or PMD) is subjected to various vibrations during use on the road. Between irregularities in the pavement, potholes, and mounting curbs, it is necessary to check that every screw is properly in place.
Loose screws can cause parts to break or even allow water to seep in through the same path in case of riding in the rain.
With a bit of threadlocker on the screws when tightening, they should stay better in place during your various rides. However, do not overtighten either, as you might hit another part of the scooter not intended or damage internal components.
The screws most likely to move are on the wheels, under the deck, and on the folding stem system.
The brakes
Maintaining your brakes directly affects your own safety. If you hear an unusual noise or notice a longer braking distance than usual, it is highly recommended to check the condition of the electric scooter brakes.
We have also looked into this topic to offer you a guide on how to properly adjust your electric scooter disc brakes.
In the case of a drum brake, a “bell” directly rubs against the wheel to slow it down to a complete stop. The pressure on the brake lever on the handlebar pulls the cable to actuate the drum more or less strongly. You can then adjust the small visible cable next to the drum brake by tightening it further.
If your electric scooter has disc brakes, brake pads press on a ventilated (with holes) or non-ventilated metal disc. In this case, you will need to replace the brake pads before they wear out completely, which could damage the disc.
The folding system
One of the big advantages of the electric scooter is that it can fold for easier storage or transport. But the folding system, after many uses, can wear out. A failure of the system would not be covered by warranty.
It may therefore be useful to slightly grease this system in case of friction between two parts. By avoiding premature wear, you extend the lifespan of an electric scooter. For this, we recommend a bit of WD-40, very useful for this kind of use.
The battery, the central element of the electric scooter
Without a battery, there is no electric scooter! Previously lead or lithium-polymer, almost all models sold today are equipped with lithium-ion batteries. Over time, batteries inevitably age. Whether you use them or not, you will inevitably lose autonomy over time. But there are still ways to preserve the electric scooter battery as long as possible and reduce its capacity loss. Maintaining an electric scooter mainly means keeping the battery in good condition as long as possible.
Lithium-ion technology
The lithium-ion battery has become essential in energy storage. Its high energy density gives it advantages in terms of weight, volume, and low self-discharge.
First marketed in 1991 by Sony Energitech, the lithium-ion battery (also called li-ion) now holds a dominant position in the electronics market. On quality lithium-ion cells found notably in Samsung or LG products, there is no memory effect.
This is a phenomenon that affects battery performance (autonomy) when it is recharged before being fully discharged. Simply put, it’s like you can no longer pump fuel from a car’s tank all the way to empty.
Conclusion
By following our various tips, you should extend the lifespan of an electric scooter. It is always better to anticipate problems by regularly checking the condition of your device to avoid a trip to customer service. If despite everything, some parts fail, it is always possible to buy spare parts (such as batteries, tires, and brake pads) from our store to do the electric scooter repairs yourself.
Now that you have all the keys to take care of your electric scooter, it is time to take care of your own protection.