As a fan of cycling and driving, you are likely aware of the importance of regular maintenance for motorcycles and cars to ensure user safety and prolong the lifespan of these machines. However, electric scooters have different maintenance requirements, including daily upkeep. This article provides a comprehensive guide to maintaining your vehicle, scooter, or motorcycle. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, this guide covers everything from basic cleaning and battery life to storage and maintenance tips that won't break the bank.
Battery Maintenance
To ensure optimal performance of any machine, it's crucial to take proper care of its battery. While batteries can be costly, depending on their capacity and model, investing in one is definitely worth it when considering the long-term benefits. If you own a Varla Eagle One, be prepared to spend around $600-$650 for a replacement battery. However, maintaining the battery is a relatively simple process, and it can provide up to three years of use. Additionally, the battery is incredibly powerful and can withstand external damage. Equipped with a 56V 18.2AH lithium-ion battery, the Varla Eagle One offers a smooth and enjoyable ride on any terrain with just one charge.
Ideal Charging Method
The Varla Scooter is an electric-powered vehicle that comes with a long-lasting lithium-ion battery. To extend the battery's lifespan, it is advisable to use up the battery before re-charging it. Generally, you can charge these batteries once every three days, which amounts to 120 to 125 times a year. However, the battery's lifespan is also influenced by factors such as usage frequency, habits, and lifestyle rhythm. To prevent overworking the battery, it is crucial to be mindful of charging it correctly. You can also get charging sockets that come with timers to prevent overcharging.
Lithium-ion batteries have unique features that enable them to enter a state of deep discharge when the battery is slowly drained. When the voltage in the battery is low, the battery switches into self-protection mode. However, leaving the scooter unused for too long weakens the battery and reduces its ability to retain power. Therefore, it is essential to charge the battery from time to time, but be careful not to overcharge it. Overcharging can be dangerous and costly as it causes the battery to heat up and expand.
The charging speed of electric scooters gradually slows down as it gets to 95% charge. However, depending on usage and the length of time such a battery has been in use, it becomes less possible to guarantee optimum self-protection mode. It is, therefore, better to stop charging at 80% or 90% to extend the battery's lifespan. By charging the battery correctly and factoring in the user's lifestyle, the electric scooter's battery can last longer. (For more information on how to extend your battery life, click here).
Cleaning
As you use your electric scooter frequently, it is inevitable that it will get dirty from various sources such as dust, sand, and stains. However, cleaning it is a straightforward process, especially if you do it regularly. Here are some helpful tips to ensure your electric scooter remains squeaky clean.
To clean your scooter's wheels, use a gentle brush to remove any dirt or dust that might have accumulated during use. If your electric scooter has a built-in or external display screen, it would be best to waterproof it to prevent damage. Avoid washing the external screen directly with water, and instead, use a soft cloth or damp sponge to clean it.
The Varla Eagle One electric scooter has a dual-motor design with waterproof metal protection in its motor section. It also has a waterproof pad on its deck, and its battery has an extra protective film. Be careful not to use a high-pressure water gun on the waterproof pad to avoid damaging the battery.
The Varla deck has frosted stickers to prevent spills and can be easily cleaned with a brush and damp cloth. For more information on how to clean your electric scooter.
Storage Environment
It is important to consider the storage environment when maintaining your scooter. Leaving it in the sun for a prolonged period of time can cause damage such as fading and chemical changes in the lithium-ion battery, which can reduce its lifespan or even pose a fire hazard. As a result, it is recommended that you do not leave your scooter in car trunks for extended periods. Additionally, during hot summer days, it is crucial to take extra precautions as the internal environment of the scooter can heat up to 60 degrees. It is also important to avoid excessively humid storage environments as they can negatively impact the battery. Fortunately, electric scooters have the added advantage of being foldable and taking up less space than bicycles, making storage solutions easier to find.
Taking Care of Other Parts
When using an electric scooter, it may seem simple, but it's important to take care of small accessories that can easily become damaged. Let's take a closer look at them.
Lock clamp
When unfolding your device, it's important to ensure that the lock clamp is in the correct position. Failure to do so may result in damage to your device while unfolding or riding without the lock ring. Please take care to avoid this potential issue.
Kickstand
Most electric scooters come equipped with kickstands for easy parking. However, unlike bicycles, their kickstands are shorter in length. Unfortunately, many users have a habit of mounting the scooter while the kickstand is still in place, which can exert too much force on it and cause it to become crooked or even break.
Brakes
It's crucial to keep the brakes of your electric scooter in good condition. Sometimes, you may come across twigs or stones stuck in the brakes, which can be harmful to the brake pads. It can make it hard to stop the scooter when needed. Hence, it's advisable to inspect for twigs, pebbles, or grit in the brakes before you start your ride or after you finish it. This simple measure can save you from a lot of trouble in the long run.
Tires
Proper tires are essential for a safe and smooth ride on an electric scooter. Whether they are pneumatic or solid, tires are prone to wear and tear over time, which can be particularly hazardous on slippery surfaces. Regularly checking the tread pattern is an easy way to determine when it's time to replace your tires. Factors such as weight, braking frequency, and terrain can all contribute to tire lifespan, and it's important to stay within recommended mileage and kilometer limits to avoid potential dangers. For more information on when to replace scooter accessories, check out our previous post.
TAKE AWAY
Integrating all that has been highlighted above into your daily routine will save you a lot of money, stress, and repairs in the long run, as you will soon find out. Maintenance of an electric scooter is quite easy. However, sometimes a breakdown can occur, thereby necessitating repairs. It is very advisable to carry out repairs immediately. Here are three great tips for better scooter care:
- Do not disassemble your scooter privately. Rather, contact the brand after-sales department. They know more about scooters.
- If you need to replace parts, please use suitable accessories that are compatible with the scooter.
- If you are not good at repairing, please find a local electric scooter repair store for professional help.
