11 Ways to Winterize a Mobility Scooter (Easily)

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Although all mobility scooters can be used outdoors, few are ready for winter’s harsh temperatures and icy roads.
You can winterize a mobility scooter using the ideas in this article.
These include battery warmers, tire chains, and protective lubricants that protect your mobility scooter from moisture and extreme temperatures.

Key Takeaways:
- Tires and batteries lose efficiency with extreme temperatures.
- Metal and electrical parts will rust and decay in wet and cold scenarios.
- You can use warmers, chains, and lubricants to winterize a mobility scooter so that it lasts longer.
How Do You Winterize Your Mobility Scooter?
If you take the mobility scooter out in the cold on a snowy day, you’ll likely encounter battery, traction, and moisture damage problems.
Cold temperatures significantly reduce battery efficiency and capacity. Most scooters use lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries, which can lose up to 50% of their charge in freezing conditions.
Standard scooter tires often lack the grip for snow or ice, leading to slipping and potential accidents.
Snow, slush, and salt exposure can corrode electrical components and connections.
If you want to winterize a mobility scooter, what will it take?
These DIY options can significantly improve your scooter’s resistance to moisture damage. However, for any internal components or significant modifications, it’s best to seek professional assistance to ensure safety and maintain your warranty.
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Avoid over-application, which can attract dirt or interfere with component function. If unsure about any application, consult a mobility scooter technician
1. Winterize the Batteries

Cold weather slows down SLA (Sealed Lead Acid) and Lithium-ion batteries:
- It reduces capacity by slowing down chemical reactions
- Cold weather increases internal resistance, leading to voltage drops under load.
- Cold batteries are slower to charge.
- Charging deeply cold batteries can cause permanent damage.
- Frequent exposure to cold can reduce battery life.
Here are some ideas for winterizing your batteries.
These solutions can help mitigate cold-weather battery issues but have effectiveness, practicality, or cost limitations.
None completely solves the underlying physics of battery performance in cold weather.
Battery winterizations:
- Battery insulation: Wrapping batteries in insulating materials to retain heat.
- Battery warmers: Electric heating pads designed for batteries.
- Indoor storage: Keep the scooter in a heated area when unused.
- Lithium-ion upgrade: Switching from SLA to Lithium-ion, which performs better in the cold.
- Larger capacity batteries: Oversizing to compensate for reduced capacity.
Battery Insulation and Warmers
A battery wrapper is an insulating material that helps the battery to retain heat.
A battery warmer is an electric heating pad designed for batteries.
A product like Zerostart’s battery blanket can combine a wrapper and heater. The battery warmers are available on the Zerostart Amazon store.

Lithium Battery Upgrade
Lithium batteries handle cold temperatures better than sealed lead acid (SLA).
A mobility store can help match the upgraded lithium battery to your mobility scooter model.
2. Put Studs On the Tires

While both pneumatic (air-filled) and solid tires can be studded, pneumatic tires generally provide better overall performance and comfort.
But they are not puncture-proof, so it’s a trade-off.
Solid and air-filled tires have different durability and traction features.
Air-filled tires have better shock absorption and offer a smoother ride on uneven surfaces.
However, they risk punctures, pressure changes with temperature changes, and can become brittle in extreme cold.
Solid tires do not risk flats and perform consistently regardless of the temperature. However, solid tires offer less shock absorption, create a more rigid ride, and can become slippery when worn.
Check if studs are legal in your area and consult a professional if you have doubts about these processes.
Improperly adding studs to the tires could make winter driving dangerous instead of safer.
Check if studs are legal in your area and consult a professional if you have doubts about these processes.
Adding studs might void your mobility scooter warranty.
To stud pneumatic tires, you will need:
- Tire studs (typically carbide-tipped)
- Stud gun, manual stud installer, or a drill
- Safety glasses and gloves
To stud the air-filled tires:
- Deflate the tire
- Mark the stud locations on the tire tread (following a pattern)
- Use a drill or stud gun to create holes slightly smaller than the stud diameter
- Insert studs into the holes (they should fit snugly)
- Reinflate the tire
For solid tires, you will need:
- Self-tapping studs or screws
- Drill with an appropriate bit
- Safety glasses and gloves
To stud the solid tires:
- Mark the stud locations on the tire tread
- Drill pilot holes into the tire
- Screw in the self-tapping studs or screws
3. Pre-Seal Air-Filled Tires

You can add tire sealant to air-filled tires to make them more puncture-proof. This gives you the advantage of a more comfortable ride with less risk of losing tire pressure.
While tire sealant can help prevent and seal small punctures, it’s not a permanent solution for more extensive damages. Regular tire maintenance and inspection are still necessary. Many bike shops can do this task if you’re uncomfortable performing it.
Adding tire sealant to pneumatic tires on a mobility scooter is relatively straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Sealant materials:
- Tire sealant (designed explicitly for small tires)
- Valve core removal tool
- Air pump or compressor
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
Sealant steps:
- Elevate the scooter so the wheel is off the ground
- Remove any valve cap from the tire
- Deflate the tire (Press the valve stem to release air from the tire)
- Remove the valve core (Use the valve core removal tool to unscrew the valve core)
- Add sealant:
- Shake the sealant bottle well
- Attach the sealant bottle to the valve stem and squeeze in the recommended amount.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct amount based on tire size.
- Replace the valve core (screw the valve core back in securely)
- Inflate the tire (Use the pump to inflate the tire to the recommended pressure)
- Distribute the sealant (Rotate the wheel to ensure the sealant coats the entire inner surface of the tire)
- Check for leaks: (Listen for any hissing sounds and check for air bubbles using soapy water on the tire surface)
- Replace the valve cap
- Repeat for other tires as needed.
IMPORTANT:
Some sealants may require you to drive (or, in this case, operate the scooter) immediately after application to distribute the sealant. Check tire pressure regularly after applying sealant.
4. Maintain Tire Pressure

It would be best not to lower the tire pressure for winter driving. Without your help, every 10-degree drop in temperature reduces the tire pressure by 1-2 PSI.
The decreased pressure increases the tire’s surface area that touches the ground, giving the mobility scooter more traction, but at a cost.
If the tire inflation is too low, the tread will wear out prematurely.
The traction increases the load on the motor and battery, reducing the life of each battery charge.
Instead of lowering the pressure, check that the pressure is at the manufacturer’s suggested specification.
5. Use Tire Chains (+ Socks + Sprays)

Tire chains can be added to small mobility scooter tires, significantly improving traction in snowy or icy conditions.
There’s a variation that uses textiles that works well on cars, but I’ve yet to find a mobility scooter-size car sock. I also haven’t seen tire sprays that work well in snow and ice.
6. Stop Water with Silicone-Based Sealants
You can apply silicone-based sealants, such as Silicone RTV sealant, to seams, joints, and anywhere else water might enter the scooter.
To use, clean the area, apply a thin bead of sealant, and allow to cure.
Caution: Avoid applying to moving parts or electrical connections
7. Protect Electrical Components with Dielectric Grease
You can apply dielectric greases such as Permatex Dielectric Tune-Up Grease and CRC Dielectric Grease to electrical connections, battery terminals, and plug connectors.
Dielectric grease prevents corrosion and improves electrical contact.
To use, clean the connections, apply a small amount to metal parts, and then reconnect.
8. Protect Metal with a Water-Displacing Spray + Lithium Grease
Liquid Wrench and WD-40 are water-displacing sprays that can be used to protect exposed metal parts, hinges, and non-electrical moving parts.
Spray lightly on areas prone to moisture and wipe the excess.
Caution: Do NOT use water-displaying sprays on electrical or rubber components.
Lithium grease, such as White Lithium Grease, protects metal parts, hinges, and pivot points.
Apply lithium grease to the tiller and seat attachment points.
Wear gloves and use your finger to work the grease into the joints.

9. Protect Fabric with Moisture-Repelling Sprays
Scotchgard Fabric Protector and Kiwi Camp Dry repel moisture to protect fabrics.
I’ve used Scotchgard in my car and found it works well but is obnoxious. Avoid breathing the spray and ventilate the area during and after use.
Apply the spray to mobility scooter fabric parts such as seats and storage bags.
10. Protect the Painted Metal with Clear Protective Lacquer

Clear acrylic spray applies a protective lacquer to non-moving metal surfaces.
Use gloves and apply in a well-ventilated area.
Clean the painted metal.
Use gloves and avoid inhaling the spray. Ventilate the area during and after use.
Apply thin coats for the best protection.
Do NOT use lacquer on electrical components or moving parts.
11. Protect Yourself with a Weather Cover
You can buy third-party covers for weather protection. Many are cheesy, but covering the tiller is worthwhile if it prevents fatal damage to the controls.
While we wait for manufacturers to produce better winter covers, you can wear a generic poncho to retain heat and repel moisture.
Conclusion
Learning how to winterize a mobility scooter will help you stay warm and prolong the life of your scooter.
Cold temperatures can significantly reduce battery efficiency and capacity, while snow and ice pose traction challenges.
To combat these issues, several strategies can be employed.
Battery performance can be improved through insulation, warmers, or upgrading to lithium-ion batteries that handle cold better.
Traction can be enhanced by adding studs to tires or using tire chains, though it’s important to check local regulations regarding studded tires.
Pre-sealing air-filled tires with sealant can prevent punctures while maintaining proper tire pressure is essential for optimal performance and wear.
Protection against moisture and corrosion is another key aspect of winterization.
Silicone-based sealants can prevent water ingress, while dielectric grease protects electrical components.
Water-displacing sprays and lithium grease protect metal parts, and moisture-repelling sprays can be applied to fabric components.
Painted metal surfaces can be safeguarded with clear protective lacquer.
You can protect yourself from cold and moisture with a large, whole-body poncho.
Common Questions
How do I store my mobility scooter batteries for the winter?
Store mobility scooter batteries in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Disconnect the batteries from the scooter and charge them fully before storage. Check and recharge the batteries monthly to maintain their health during winter.
Can I leave my electric scooter outside in winter?
It is not recommended to leave an electric scooter outside in winter. Exposure to cold, moisture, and snow can damage electrical components and reduce battery life. If outdoor storage is unavoidable, use a weatherproof cover and remove the battery for indoor storage.
How do you protect a scooter battery in the cold?
Insulate the battery with a warmer or thermal wrap to maintain optimal temperature. When not in use, store the scooter indoors, ideally in a heated area. Remove the battery and keep it inside at room temperature if indoor storage isn’t possible.
Can mobility scooter batteries freeze?
Mobility scooter batteries can freeze in extremely cold temperatures. Freezing can cause permanent damage to the battery’s internal components and reduce its capacity. Always store batteries in a temperature-controlled environment above 32°F (0°C) to prevent freezing.
How do you keep a mobility scooter warm?
Use a weatherproof cover for mobility scooters to protect from cold and moisture. Install a battery warmer to maintain optimal battery temperature. Store the scooter indoors or in a heated garage when not in use.