Electric Skateboard Maintenance: 7 Tips For A Smooth Ride

In recent years, electric skateboards have brought about a change when it comes to rideable technology. As electric skateboards or scooters, longboards, and compact mini boards have become popular among many age groups worldwide, expect more innovations from these rides in the near future.

When you have an electric skateboard, you’re able to get several benefits, but owning one also comes with some responsibilities. Generally, ensuring that your equipment remains in good working order and functions smoothly is critical. An electric skateboard comprises a battery, a set of wheels, bearings, motors, and other complex systems that regularly require maintenance.

If you’re planning to purchase one soon and are eager to learn more about electric skateboards, you might want to check out the GTR Evolve Skateboard and other similar models that could serve as a good starting point.  

Keeping your electric skateboard in good shape is crucial to ensure it runs smoothly and limits any potential problems, especially if you use yours regularly. Here are some simple maintenance tips you should be aware of:

1. Follow A Regular Cleaning Schedule

One of the requirements to ensure your electric skateboard lasts is regular cleaning. Make it a priority to clean your skateboard after every ride, especially if you have an all-terrain model. You can use a moistened towel or microfiber cloth to remove debris or dirt on the deck, grip tape, and other smooth surfaces of the board. Take extra precautions to keep water and debris from infiltrating the electronic components.

If the battery compartment isn’t sealed, you need to open it and clean the housing meticulously. Wipe down your skateboard with a dry, clean cloth after cleaning.

2. Ensure Proper Battery Maintenance

As with electric bikes, it’s important to avoid leaving your electric skateboard charging for an extended period after it has reached full charge. The habit will almost certainly harm the battery, reducing its lifespan.

The proper way to charge the battery is by connecting the charger to the skateboard first and then plugging it into the wall socket. Once the battery is full, carefully unplug the charger. Remember that even if you use your skateboard often, it’s best to charge it monthly.

3. Keep The Bearings In Good Condition

The bearings in your electric skateboard play an essential role. With this in mind, routine maintenance is critical to ensuring a smooth ride with your electric skateboard.

If you use your skateboard regularly, it’s likely for dust and debris to build up in the bearings steadily. In the long run, it will result in the buildup of friction between the bearing and axel. The dust and dirt buildup prevents the bearings from freely spinning, causing the battery to consume more power.

Take note that water and electronics will not mix well, so you need to take extra care to make sure that water will not enter the wheel bearings. Water can trigger defects that might necessitate bearing replacement. You’ll likely notice this problem once you hear a scraping sound from the bearings. Keep these components clean at all times to ensure the smooth operation of your skateboard.

4. Maintain The Cleanliness Of The Wheels

You can easily maintain the wheels on your electronic skateboard by making sure they are always clean. Remove the wheels and use a clean towel or cloth to remove any debris or dirt from the wheel’s base.

5. Examine The Drive Belt

One of the typical causes of damage or deterioration to an electric skateboard’s drive belt is when something embeds between the belt and the gear. It’s critical to inspect the belt before each ride regularly. It’s also best to check after every ride to see if there’s any unusual wear to the belt. You can turn the wheels because it’ll also spin the belt.

By performing routine inspections and cleaning, you can identify the root cause of the wear early and remove it. Doing so will prevent damage to the drive belt and the need to replace it. 

6. Adjust The Trucks As Needed

Routine adjustments to the trucks of your electric skateboard are crucial in ensuring a smooth ride. Due to the wobbling, it can be challenging to remain on board if you have loose skateboard trucks. If you’re unfamiliar with what trucks are, they’re the metal axles in the front and back of the board that supports the wheels. If you tighten the trucks too much, you won’t be able to pivot the board smoothly.

The adjustments you’ll make should be based on your personal preferences. When adjusting the truck, flip the skateboard over and use a wrench to tighten or loosen the kingpin bolt, the largest one in the middle of the truck. When tightening the truck, turn it quarter clockwise. You can loosen it by turning it counter-clockwise.

As for the cleaning task, the truck will not require routine cleaning. However, it’s best to clean the truck regularly, particularly when cleaning the wheels.

7. Correct Storage

Many electric skateboard owners often overlook the storage aspect. Sadly, incorrect storage of your skateboard is often one of the reasons it has a short lifespan. If you’re not using your skateboard most of the time, make sure to charge it up to 40-50% and store it in a dark area, ideally in a garage, at room temperature. 

Final Thoughts  

Once you understand the fundamentals, maintaining an electric skateboard is a simple chore. If you enjoy the convenience an electric skateboard offers, keeping it in good shape and functioning in the smoothest way possible should be your top concern. With the help of these helpful maintenance tips, you can keep your electric skateboard running for years to come.