SpinLife Guide to Power Wheelchair Maintenance

Your power wheelchair is your ticket to mobility. It’s also a significant investment. With proper care and maintenance, it could reward you with more than 10 years of daily use.

There are a few basics to keep top of mind. First, it’s important to read and understand your owner’s manual. You should also work with your therapist or medical equipment supplier to adjust your chair to your needs and make sure you know how to use it properly. And if you get familiar with your motor’s normal sounds, you’ll be more likely to hear when something goes wrong.

If any part of your chair is frayed, worn, cracked or broken, replace it. Please don’t risk your health or mobility by putting it off.

Here are four things to remember when it comes to power wheelchair maintenance.

• Keep your power wheelchair dry
• Keep your tires in good shape
• Keep your cushion …well, cushy
• Keep your battery healthy

Keep your power wheelchair dry

Damp or wet conditions can seriously damage your chair, especially its electrical parts.

You should always:

• Store your chair in a dry place
• Wipe up any moisture or spills immediately
• Make sure your chair’s protective plastic covers, or shrouds, are secured in place
• Stop using your chair immediately and call a service professional if your chair’s electronics get really wet

Keep your power wheelchair tires in good shape

Tires play an important role in a power wheelchair’s performance. And each kind of tire has different maintenance needs.

Your tires may be:

• Pneumatic
• Solid rubber
• Polyurethane foam-filled
• Rubber insert

Whichever kind of tire you have, make sure you always carry a repair kit and a couple of spares. If one tire goes flat, it’s best to change the other one, too.

Get detailed tire maintenance tips. 

Keep your cushion … well, cushy

To enhance your health, you must have an intact, supportive cushion for your chair.  Like wheelchair tires, cushions come in a variety of types. Foam, gel and viscous fluid cushions should be inspected once a month, while air cushions need a weekly once-over.

Here’s how to do it:

• Transfer to a comfortable chair
• Remove the cover from your wheelchair cushion
• Look for wear, rips, or holes in the top, bottom and lining of the cushion cover
• Make sure the zipper works properly
• Inspect the cushion itself for leaks, distortion, or other signs of fatigue

If you see any problems, it’s best to replace the cushion.

Keep your battery healthy

Your battery is the heart of your wheelchair, and it can last up to two years with proper care.

This includes:

• Keeping your chair plugged in until the battery is fully charged (look for the indicator light)
• Charging your battery daily and inspect it weekly for corrosion
• Storing your chair in a temperate environment
• Never letting your battery run down completely
• Testing your battery if the power wheelchair seems to be running slow
• Keeping replacement batteries on hand in case of primary battery failure

Because there are different kinds of batteries, your wheelchair’s owner’s manual may be your best source of specific information.

Read more tips on battery care