Automobile costs tend to pile up quickly, especially when an unexpected repair comes up, with mobility vehicles these unexpected repairs can create a larger financial burden. To help save on the costs of repairs and potential rental costs, our friends at BLVD.com have assembled 4 simple checks you can do to help get your mobility vehicle ready for the winter!
Whether you drive a minivan with a ramp conversion, a full size van with a lift, or a ramp or lift style SUV, you have wiring and moving parts in the door track or jams. To help ensure proper functioning of the door system use a vacuum or a small broom to gently clear out any debris that have gathered.
Even a little bit of dirt or small rocks can cause the door to not work and the ramp or lift may not deploy properly.
Clean with care to make sure no wiring is pulled while cleaning out this area.
Make sure where the wheelchair is securing within the vehicle that the tracks or power tie down system are clean and clear of debris.
A vacuum will remove most dirt and small rocks with ease.
If you have a power tie down system, take a flashlight and look underneath the casing, remove any pens, garbage, or rocks that have found their way underneath. For manual belt systems, make sure all ratchets belts are straight and tightening properly. This helps maintain and ensures your equipment is working best to keep you safe!
If your car has a lift, a wired hand pendant controls the operation of the lift. Check the wire, and make sure there are no major kinks or exposed wires on the cord. Once this is done, run the lift to make sure all of the buttons are working properly. Keep an eye out for buttons that seem to stick, or do not activate when they are pressed, or are loose.
For mobility equipment that operates with a key fob, run the conversion and make sure none of the buttons are loose. If the key fob is not causing the conversion to run smoothly the battery may be getting weak or a connection may be broken.
Make sure equipment is running smoothly by testing each feature.
Having cleaned up a few areas and inspected the equipment to make sure there are no glaring issues, you will now want to make sure the mobility equipment as a whole is working well.
From outside the vehicle run the conversion listen for any grinding or popping noises and look for the kneeling system to activate (if one is present). With a ramp or lift, they should come out smoothly and not swing out quickly or need assistance to fold down.
If everything seems to be operating well, you are all set!
Mobility companies do recommend bringing in your mobility equipment every six months for maintenance.
To find a mobility dealer near you, check out BLVD.com. Having a mobility dealer service your equipment can help maintain warranties and catch problems before they leave you stranded.
If you do find yourself in a bind, there are many dealers nationwide who offer Emergency Service for mobility vehicles. If your vehicle requires a repair that will take a while, there are also Mobility Vehicle Rentals available to help you stay mobile.
Note: Any high end, electronic equipment, or mobility devices that operate the gas, brake, or steering of a vehicle should always be inspected by a Mobility Dealer.
BLVD representative Katie Cummings says, “Together we can do MORE than we ever thought possible. By connecting the top mobility providers and you, BLVD is the web’s top Wheelchair Van source. So our promise to you is to keep adding more resources to our site to offer you more choices and better services for your mobility needs.”
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