Here are some do's and don's with regard to keeping your brand new scooter looking and operating like new.
Preventing scuffs, chips and cracks
- Most scuffs, chips and cracks result from running into walls and furniture.
- If you're a new owner, take it easy, especially in tight spaces. Practice riding and making sharp turns, backing up, etc.
- Even 4 miles per hour is pretty fast for indoor use. So take it slower.
- If your scooter comes apart for easy transport, it's not a bad thing to have some old beach towels in the trunk of your car to ensure scooter parts don't rub against one another.
- Before moving your scooter, make sure there is space in front of and behind you for maneuvering.
- Before operating your scooter, set the speed control knob or switch to the lowest speed setting. Once you're moving, you can turn the speed up.
- Familiarize yourself with the drive/neutral lever. In the neutral position, the scooter can be manually rolled just by pushing or pulling it. Do that to get away from fixed obstacles in tight spaces before you operate under power.
- Scratched or scuffed plastic surfaces may not look great, but they don't affect the operation of your scooter.
- While damage to the plastic shrouds and other surfaces on your scooter is not covered by the manufacturer's or our warranty, replacement components are generally available, reasonably priced and easy to install yourself.
Keeping your scooter looking new
- Wipe dirt and grime off all scooter surfaces using a cloth dampened with plain water. Don't use any cleaning products or solvents with any grit to it or any household cleaners.
- For especially troublesome stains, a household cleaner like Fantastic or Formula 409 may be used. Do not ever use the citrus-based cleaners.
- Don't get the console too wet where the speed control, battery gauge and other switches are.
- If you'd like to disinfect, you can use Lysol/Clorox brand spray or wipes or the generic equivalents.
- Do not use waxes or silicone coatings of any kind on surfaces. First of all the painted surfaces don't need it and secondly, you'll get film buildup over time. Some surfaces are painted and some so-called "care products" could even remove the paint.
- Most Scooter seats are vinyl. So they're already water resistant. Never use Armor-all type products, Scotchgard or other products on the seat upholstery, handgrips, tires or any other surfaces of your scooter. It will dry out the surfaces prematurely and will make them very slippery.
- Get a cover for your scooter when you're not using it to keep direct sunlight off the upholstery. Covers are water RESISTANT, not waterproof so covered or not, keep your scooter out of downpours.
By the way... other than making sure that all nuts, bolt and other fasteners are tight, your scooter needs no lubrication or maintenance. Happy riding!
