Tips for looking after your powered wheelchair

Maintaining a consistent maintenance schedule is essential for keeping your powered wheelchair in peak operating condition. Much like automobiles, these chairs require routine servicing to ensure they remain reliable and to prevent unexpected mechanical failures. Below are several straightforward methods for looking after your equipment.

Check your powered wheelchair regularly to keep it safe and working well

Keep it clean and dry, especially after using it outside

Charge the battery often and follow the guidance in your handbook

Look out for signs of wear, like tyres, brakes and controls

Contact your dealer or support team if something does not feel right

The most convenient time to charge your powered wheelchair is overnight, while you are sleeping. This helps ensure it is fully prepared for the following day.

You might have concerns about charging overnight. Powered wheelchairs and their chargers are designed with safety features to help reduce risks when used correctly. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidance and use the charger provided.

I charge my wheelchair overnight so the battery is fully charged for the next day. You should try not to let the battery drain completely, as this can cause damage.

If you notice the battery is not holding a full charge or you are running out of power faster than usual, then you may need to replace the batteries. As a part of your all-inclusive lease package with the Motability Scheme, you can get in touch with your local dealer who will be able to fit the replacement batteries for you.

Over time, components such as nuts, bolts, and electrical connections can loosen. These should be kept tight and secure at all times. It is best to contact your dealer immediately if you notice parts becoming loose, showing signs of wear, or producing unusual noises.

Your dealer should be able to find the issue, and then either reassure you, or come to see you if necessary.

My powered wheelchair kept breaking down due to a faulty loose cable connected to my controller. This happened several times when I would drive down curbs and across roads, which made my wheelchair lose power. This was frustrating but also dangerous. Now I make sure all cables and other parts are checked and my wheelchair is serviced on a regular basis by my dealer.

Routine services and maintenance are included as part of your full lease package with the Scheme. This includes any routine repairs in your agreement at no extra cost.

You can find support, servicing and manage your lease in your online account.

Much like washing a car, it is vital to keep your mobility aid clean.

It is common for powered wheelchairs to accumulate dust, dirt, and hair. By incorporating cleaning into your maintenance routine, you will help keep the chair functioning optimally for a longer period.

If your wheelchair features a power pack, the safest cleaning method is to wipe it down with a damp cloth or sponge. This prevents water from entering the mechanical components, which could cause rust or operational failures.

Regularly washing cushion covers by hand or in a machine prevents the buildup of dust, dirt, and sweat, keeping the fabric in good condition.

With any electric mobility aid, it’s important to keep the wheelchair controller covered from water to stop it from getting damaged. Again, I’ve learned from this mistake after being caught in a heavy rain shower, which caused the buttons on my controller to stop working. The whole controller unit had to be replaced.

If you are at home when you notice tyre damage, simply call your Motability Scheme dealer and arrange a time for the repair. If you’re out and about when a tyre is damaged, and you can’t get home, call Motability Assist on 0800 953 5000. They will arrange to get you and your scooter or powered wheelchair home and where possible repair the puncture.

Find out more about your tyre cover on the Scheme.

Similar to cars, powered wheelchairs require occasional tyre replacements. Navigating rough, uneven surfaces and covering long distances will lead to gradual wear and tear.

You should inspect the tread for signs of baldness or wear and schedule a replacement as soon as possible. Maintaining good tyre condition is critical, as worn tyres can lead to performance and safety issues, including steering difficulties or increased battery consumption.

Dirt, grime, dust, hair and twigs can build up and get stuck in the wheels, but regular cleaning will help keep the casters and wheels working well. If you’re a Motability Scheme customer and suspect there’s something wrong with your tyres then please contact your dealer, who will be more than happy to check your tyres for you.

As a Motability Scheme customer, your dealer is there to help and support you throughout your lease. I spoke to Scheme specialist Tracy, from Parkgate Mobility in Yorkshire, to get his answers to some key questions on powered wheelchair maintenance.

Regular servicing is very importance to the safe reliable use of any powered mobility equipment. We recommend that your powered wheelchair is serviced annually to keep it in tip-top condition.

Depending on usage it may be necessary to have your powered wheelchair serviced more regularly. Again, your dealer should give you advice about servicing requirements.

Contact your local Motability Scheme dealer as soon as possible and explain what the issues are. They will be able to tell you if the equipment is still safe to use or not. For minor technical faults, it may be possible to continue to use the equipment while they arrange an engineer to visit.

First of all, look to see if the tyres are properly inflated. You can check this by looking at the tyre to see if the bottom appears flatter than normal and also by pressing the tyre with your thumb to see if it feels under or over-inflated.

Yes, you can pump your powered wheelchair’s tyres yourself if you are physically able to do so. Make sure that you always inflate to the recommended pressure as outlined in the user manual. But do not forget that your dealer is there to assist you through your lease, so will be more than happy to help if you’re unable to pump your own tyres.

Follow the recommended charging procedure as outlined in the manual. We recommend a good, long overnight regular charge.

Try not to get into the habit of short charges and do not wait until the battery is flat before you charge. If you do not use the equipment for a long period of time, then put your powered wheelchair on charge every now and again so that the batteries do not go flat.

Modern-day batteries are maintenance-free but do need regular charging. If you follow the above advice, you should get good service from a set of batteries.

The good thing about battery-related problems is that it usually happens over time. This means the powered wheelchair will not just stop working. You’re likely to get a warning in advance which should give you enough time to contact your dealer before the issue gets worse.

Getting your powered wheelchair or scooter serviced regularly is my number one tip. If you’re a Motability Scheme customer, then annual servicing is included as part of your lease package, so make sure you do not miss out on your yearly appointment.

Plus, the batteries are the lifeblood of your powered wheelchair so try to get into good charging habits.

Your online account helps you stay in control of your lease. You can check your cover, see your agreement details and keep your information up to date.

It is a quick and easy way to manage everything in one place, whenever it suits you.