Quick answer: Check your scooter before every ride for loose bolts, working brakes, lights and tyre pressure. Keep tyres at the pressure your manual gives, clean with a damp cloth rather than a hose, do not treat an IP rating as permission to ride through water, and store the scooter in a cool, dry place with the battery charged rather than flat.
The pre-ride check
A quick look before every ride catches most problems early. Segway’s Max G30P manual tells riders to check for loose fasteners and damaged components before each ride, and to stop immediately if the scooter makes abnormal sounds or signals an alarm (Segway manual). The US CPSC recommends inspecting the handlebars, brakes, throttle, bell, lights, tyres, cables and frame (CPSC).
- Stem and folding latch: make sure the stem is locked upright and the folding mechanism is fully closed.
- Handlebars: check they do not twist or wobble.
- Brakes: squeeze each lever and push the scooter forward to check it stops.
- Tyres: look for cuts or bulges and check pressure if your tyres are air-filled.
- Lights and bell: confirm they work, especially before riding in the dark.
- Battery level and warnings: look for any error codes on the display.
Tyres
E-scooters use several tyre types, and each needs different care:
- Pneumatic with inner tube: the NIU KQi 100 uses these (NIU). They give a comfortable ride but can puncture and need regular pressure checks.
- Tubeless: Xiaomi fits 10-inch tubeless tyres to its Electric Scooter 5 series (Xiaomi).
- Self-sealing or self-healing tubeless: Segway lists these on the F3 E and MAX G3 E, and Apollo on the City 2.0 (Segway, Apollo).
- Inner hollow tyres: Segway describes these on the E2 Plus B II as maintenance free (Segway).
For air-filled tyres, pressure matters for range, grip and puncture resistance. The right figure depends on the model. Segway’s Max G30P manual, for example, says to inflate tyres to 32 to 37 psi and to inflate both tyres equally (Segway manual). Always use the figure from your own manual rather than a general number.
Brakes
Know which brakes your scooter has, because each type behaves differently:
- Drum brakes are enclosed and fitted to models such as the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 and the front of the NIU KQi 100 (Xiaomi, NIU).
- Disc brakes appear on the Segway F3 E (front) and on both wheels of the MAX G3 E and ZT3 Pro E (Segway, Segway). Pads wear, and cable-operated discs can need adjustment as they do.
- Electronic and regenerative brakes use the motor to slow the scooter. NIU pairs regenerative braking with drum or disc brakes on its KQi models (NIU).
If a brake lever feels spongy, travels further than usual, or the scooter takes longer to stop, get it checked before riding again. Segway’s manual directs owners to their dealer or distributor for service when something is wrong (Segway manual).
Bolts, screws and the folding mechanism
Vibration loosens fasteners over time. Scooters that need assembly come with the tools to tighten key screws. Segway’s Max G30P, for example, ships with a hex wrench and six screws to fix the handlebar to the stem, and Xiaomi includes a T-handle Allen key and screws with the Electric Scooter 5 (Segway manual, Xiaomi). Keep these tools and use them to check the handlebar and stem screws regularly. If the folding latch develops play or will not lock firmly, stop riding and get it repaired.
Water resistance and IP ratings explained
Most scooters list an IP (ingress protection) rating under the IEC 60529 standard. The first digit covers dust and the second covers water, and an X means that category was not rated (IP code summary). For water, the key levels are:
| Second digit | What it means |
|---|---|
| 4 | Splashing water from any direction has no harmful effect |
| 5 | Water jets from a 6.3 mm nozzle from any direction have no harmful effect |
| 6 | Powerful water jets from a 12.5 mm nozzle have no harmful effect |
| 7 | Immersion up to 1 m for 30 minutes |
Real examples: the Segway E2 Plus B II is rated IPX4, the Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 IPX5, the Segway MAX G3 E IPX6 for the body and IPX7 for the battery pack, and the Apollo City 2.0 IP66 (Segway, Xiaomi, Segway, Apollo).
An IP rating is not an invitation to ride through puddles. Segway’s Max G30P is rated IPX5, yet its manual tells riders not to ride in the rain, not to let the scooter get wet and not to ride through puddles or other bodies of water. It also warns against washing the scooter with a power washer or hose (Segway manual). Apollo describes its Phantom 2.0 as sealed against dust and water spray but not fully submersible (Apollo). Dublin Fire Brigade lists submersion in water as one of the ways a lithium battery can become a fire risk (Dublin Fire Brigade).
Cleaning
Segway advises wiping the frame with a soft, damp cloth, scrubbing stubborn dirt gently, and never using alcohol, petrol, acetone or other solvents. Make sure the scooter is switched off, unplugged and the charge-port cap is sealed before cleaning (Segway manual).
Battery care and storage
- Charge regularly and avoid running flat. Segway advises charging after each ride and avoiding completely draining the battery, which it says can cause permanent damage (Segway manual).
- Know how long it holds charge. Segway says a fully charged battery typically retains power for 120 to 180 days, but a low battery only 30 to 60 days (Segway manual).
- Store cool and dry. Segway advises a cool, dry place and warns that sunlight and extreme heat or cold accelerate the ageing of plastic parts and can reduce battery life (Segway manual). Xiaomi lists a storage range of -20°C to 45°C and a charging range of 0°C to 40°C for the Electric Scooter 5 (Xiaomi).
- Expect less range in the cold. Segway says range at -20°C can be half that at 22°C, recovering as it warms up (Segway manual).
- Store safely. Keep the scooter away from exits and charge following fire service advice (London Fire Brigade).
When to get professional help
Do not open the battery. Segway warns there are no user-serviceable parts and the risk of fire and electric shock, and says not to charge or use a battery that is damaged or shows traces of water (Segway manual). Take the scooter to an authorised service centre for battery, motor, controller or frame problems, and stop riding immediately if you notice any of the battery warning signs in our fire safety guide.
Sources
- Ninebot KickScooter Max G30P user manual (Segway) (store.segway.com)
- E-scooter, e-bike and hoverboard injuries and deaths are on the rise (US CPSC) (cpsc.gov)
- NIU KQi 100 specifications (NIU global) (global.niu.com)
- NIU KQi 300 specifications (NIU global) (global.niu.com)
- Xiaomi Electric Scooter 5 specs (Xiaomi UK) (mi.com)
- Segway Ninebot F3 E specifications (Segway UK) (uk-en.segway.com)
- Segway Ninebot MAX G3 E specifications (Segway UK) (uk-en.segway.com)
- Segway ZT3 Pro E specifications (Segway UK) (uk-en.segway.com)
- Segway Ninebot E2 Plus B II specifications (Segway UK) (uk-en.segway.com)
- Apollo City 2.0 (Apollo Scooters Canada) (apolloscooters.ca)
- Apollo Phantom 2.0 52V (Apollo Scooters Canada) (apolloscooters.ca)
- IP code (IEC 60529) summary (Wikipedia) (en.wikipedia.org)
- Fire safety for e-scooters, e-bikes and hoverboards (Dublin Fire Brigade) (dublincity.ie)
- How to charge e-bikes and e-scooters safely (London Fire Brigade) (london-fire.gov.uk)