The Electric Skateboard Maintenance Guide For Beginners

Electric skateboards have brought about a revolution in the world of rideable technology. From electric scooters to electric skateboards, compact mini boards to longboards, we might soon see the roads dominated by these futuristic rides.

If you are a proud owner of an electric skateboard, let us introduce you to your responsibility- the responsibility of maintaining this piece of equipment. An electric skateboard consists of a battery, motors, bearings, wheels, and other complicated systems that require maintenance, so here are some easy tips you need to know.

#1 – Clean it regularly 

The most basic trick that can extend the life of your electric skateboard is cleaning. Clean your skateboard after every ride with a slightly damp cloth to ensure that you don’t get any water or dirt into its electronic components. If the battery compartment isn’t sealed, open it and clean the housing thoroughly. Once done, wipe your electric skateboard with a clean and dry cloth. 

#2 – Take care of the battery 

It is better to never leave your skateboard charging for a long time past full charge, as this will likely damage its battery. The right 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 charged, unplug the charger. Even if you don’t use your electric skateboard for a while, charge it once a month. 

#3 – Maintain the bearings 

Bearings form an essential component of an electric skateboard, and hence, maintaining them is necessary to keep your skateboard zooming. 

Debris and dust easily find their way to bearings and accumulate on them, causing friction between the bearing and axel. The Debris and dust keeps the bearings from spinning freely, making batteries use more power. Hence, keeping these parts clean is crucial for the smooth functioning of your electric skateboard. 

Remove the bearings from the wheel to clean them thoroughly. Use a cleaning solvent and an old toothbrush to remove the debris. Once the cleaning solvent evaporates, reinstall them. 

#4 – Keep the wheels clean

Skateboard wheels are quite easy to maintain – all you need to do is keep them clean. Remove the skateboard wheel and wipe the dirt away from the bottom of the wheel using a clean cloth. Now, remove the bearing and clean the core with the cloth. If the thickness of the profile is less than 5 mm, replace the wheels. 

#5 – Adjust the trucks 

Truck adjustment is necessary to keep your ride smooth. If your skateboard has loose trucks, you will not be able to stay on the board without wobbling. If the trucks are too tight, you won’t be able to turn the board smoothly. 

Adjust the trucks according to your riding style. To adjust the truck, flip your skateboard over and use a wrench to loosen or tighten the kingpin bolt (a big bolt at the centre of the truck). To tighten the truck, turn it a quarter clockwise. Turn it counter-clockwise to loosen the truck. 

As far as cleaning is concerned, you don’t necessarily need to clean it regularly. However, once in a while, remove the wheels and truck, and clean it using a cloth. 

#6 – Store it properly 

Storage is one of the most overlooked parts that take a toll on the life of your electric skateboard. If you don’t use your skateboard regularly, charge it up to 40 to 50% and keep it in a dark place (garage or cupboard) at room temperature. 

The bottom line 

Maintaining an electric skateboard isn’t all that tricky once you know what the main requirements are.  Just follow the tips mentioned above, and you’ll be riding smoothly for years to come.