How to start riding on a Xiaomi electric scooter: a complete guide for beginners

Xiaomi's electric scooter is not just a vehicle, it's a real tech assistant for urban travel, but even the most advanced technology requires the right approach, especially if you're driving for the first time. Many beginners make the typical mistakes of abruptly gasping from a place, incorrectly braking or ignoring safety settings, resulting in falls, rapid wear and tear of the battery or even breakdowns.

In this article, we will take a look at everything you need to know before your first trip, from assembly and charging to driving mode and braking, and learn how to avoid common mistakes, extend battery life and make every trip comfortable. And if you already have experience riding a regular scooter – do not rush to miss the basic points: Xiaomi electric scooters (especially models). M365, Pro 2, 4 Pros have their own nuances.

We warn you right away: 90 percent of scooters crashes are due to misallocation of weight and sudden braking by the front wheel, and we'll discuss these and other critical details below.

1.Preparation for the first trip: assembly and inspection

Even if you bought a scooter assembled, you should check the key nodes before you first leave.

• 🔧 Steering mounts: pull the steering wheel on yourself and swing left-right. 1-2 mm is a sign of weak tightening of the bolts. Use the key from the kit to tighten the mount (but don't overdo it - the optimal tightening moment for Xiaomi). M365 and pro 2 form 40-50 N).
• 🔋 Battery: Make sure the battery is securely locked in the case. 1S/Pro 2 You should hear a click when installing.
• 🚲 Wheels and brakes: scroll the wheel manually, it should rotate smoothly, without creaking. Press the brake lever: disc brake should work clearly, without delay.
• 📱 Connect to the app: download the official Mi Home app (or Xiaomi Scooter for new models) and sync the scooter. This will give you access to travel statistics, cruise control settings and error diagnosis.

Pay special attention to tire pressure. On Xiaomi scooters with pneumatic wheels (for example, on scooters, M365 or 2) pressure-optimal — 35-40 PSI (or 2.4-2.8 You can check it with a gauge (included in some models), and unproven tires increase the risk of puncture and reduce the range of the vehicle. 10-15%.

⚠️ Note: If you bought a scooter with tubeless tires (models Xiaomi) 4 Pro or Electric Scooter 3), Do not try to pump them to maximum pressure - this can cause the tire to rupture. 50-55 PSI).

After assembly, make a test run on a flat surface (for example, in the yard or empty parking).

• 🔄 Smooth acceleration and braking.
• 🎯 Steering accuracy (the scooter must not "lead" away).
• 🔊 Noise level (extraneous sounds may indicate bearing problems).

2. Battery Charging: How to Prolong Battery Life

The battery is the most expensive component of an electric scooter, and its improper operation can reduce the resource in the battery. 2-3 Here are the key charging rules for Xiaomi lithium-ion batteries:

Average full charge time for most Xiaomi models — 5-6 However, if you use a non-original power supply, the time may increase to 8-10 The original chargers are marked Output: 42V 1.7A (for M365/Pro 2) or 36V 1.5A (for 1S).

To check the battery status, use the Mi Home app:

1. Connect the scooter via Bluetooth.
2. Go to the Battery section.
3. Check out Battery Health and Charge Cycles.

Health above 80% is considered normal, below 60% - it is time to change the battery.

💡

If the scooter has not been used for a long time, before charging, let the battery heat up to room temperature (15-20 This will prevent condensation from forming inside the housing.

3. How to start and brake properly

The most common mistake of beginners is to try to jump out of a seat at maximum speed, which leads to a loss of balance and falls.

1. Leg setting: Place one foot on the platform (usually right if you are right-handed) and the other push off the ground 1-2 time to gain initial speed 3-5 km/h.
2. Fluent gas: press the accelerator trigger on 20-30% On Xiaomi models with a system KERS (regenerative braking) a sharp gas can cause a jerk.
3. Second leg: After gaining speed, place the second leg on the platform, spreading the weight evenly (a little more on the front wheel).

For braking, use a combined method:

1. First, drop the gas and transfer the weight to the rear wheel.
2. Smoothly press the electronic brake lever (left trigger).
3. If you need a sharp stop, add a mechanical brake (right lever), but do not block the wheel completely - this will lead to skid.

On scooters Xiaomi has three modes of braking (configurable in the application):

• 🟢 Energy Saving: Suitable for smooth speed reduction.
• 🟡 Standard: Balance between efficiency and comfort.
• 🔴 Strong (Sport): Maximum braking force, but requires skill.

⚠️ Warning: Never use the rear brake separately on wet or slippery surfaces, this is guaranteed to lead to skids.

Transfer the weight to the back wheel|Gas off for 1-2 seconds before braking|Use the electronic brake first|Add the mechanical brake smoothly-->

4. Riding modes: which to choose a beginner

All Xiaomi scooters have at least two driving modes (on some models - three), their difference is the speed limit and responsiveness of the accelerator:

Beginners are advised to start with Eco mode and switch to Standard only after 2-3 In Sport mode, the scooter accelerates to the maximum speed in the 3-4 This may come as a surprise to an untrained rider.

On the Xiaomi Pro 2 and later, there is an additional cruise control feature that automatically supports the specified speed, which is convenient for long straight sections.

1. Accelerate to the desired speed (for example, 20 km / h).
2. Hold the gas trigger in one position for 5 seconds.
3. You will hear an audible signal confirming activation.

Cruise control is turned off by pressing the brake or re-holding the gas.

5. Safety: Equipment and traffic rules

Statistically, 70 percent of scooters are head and hand injuries, and the minimum safety gear is:

• 🪖 Helmet: mandatory! Better choose a bicycle helmet with certification EN 1078 or CPSC. Ventilated models (such as Giro Syntax) are suitable for summer trips.
• 🧤 Gloves: protect the palms when falling, and skateboard gloves with shock absorbing inserts are the best option.
• 👟 Shoes: closed shoes with grooved soles (shoes or sneakers) Sandals or flip-flops are taboo!
• 👓 Glasses: protect the eyes from dust and branches, cycling or sports glasses with polarization will do.

In terms of traffic, Xiaomi scooters (up to 600 watts) are equivalent to bicycles in most countries.

• 🚦 Move along the bike paths, if they are absent, along the edge of the carriageway (no further than 1 m from the side of the road).
• 🚫 It is forbidden to drive on sidewalks (fine before) 1000-1500 ₽ Russia).
• 🔦 At night, the front light (white) and the rear dimensions (red) are mandatory. M365/Pro 2 Lights are built-in, but their brightness may not be enough – consider additional LED tapes.
• 📵 It is forbidden to use a phone without a headset while driving.

⚠️ Note: In some regions (for example, Moscow, St. Petersburg) there are additional restrictions: a maximum speed of 25 km / h, mandatory registration of a scooter in the traffic police at a power of more than 250 watts!

If you are planning to travel in the winter, consider:

• ❄️ Reduce tire pressure by 5-10 PSI better-clutch.
• ⚡ The battery is discharged in 1.5-2 faster at lower temperatures 0°C.
• 🛑 The braking distance is increasing in 3-4 snow-and-ice.

💡

Even if you are an experienced cyclist, do not neglect protection: falling from an electric scooter at a speed of 25 km / h is equivalent to falling from a height of 2 meters.

6. Care and maintenance: how to extend the life of the scooter

Regular maintenance of Xiaomi's electric scooter not only prolongs its life, but also makes driving safer.

Check the tire pressure|Clean the brake pads of dirt|Lubricate the bearings of the wheels|Check the steering wheel and platform mounting|Clear the battery contacts-->

Pay special attention to cleaning and lubrication:

• 🧹 After driving through mud or rain, wipe the scooter with a wet cloth, avoiding direct water hitting the electronics.
• 🛢️ Once 3-6 lubricate the wheel bearings with a special lubricant (for example, Finish Line Teflon Grease).
• 🔧 Brake pads clean metal dust with a soft brush. worn pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) replace immediately.

If the scooter began to behave unusually (for example, spontaneously brakes or twitches when accelerating), check:

1. The condition of the brake cable – it should not hang around or cling to other details.
2. Regenerative braking settings in the application (too high level) KERS may cause jerks).
3. Wheel speed sensors – they can become contaminated, causing the controller to malfunction.

To diagnose errors, use the Mi Home app:

1. Put the scooter on the phone.
2. Go to the Diagnostics section.
3. Look for error codes (e.g. Error 15 is a brake problem, Error 21 is a battery failure).

Code decryption can be found in official documentation or on forums (e.g, 4PDA Xiaomi Community).

7. Frequent Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even after reading the instructions, many people make common mistakes that lead to breakdowns or injuries.

• 🚀 Starting from the spot: the scooter can bite the nose, especially if the battery is discharged.
• 🛑 Rear brake only: this leads to skids. Use combined braking (first electronic brake, then mechanical brake).
• 🔋 Storage with discharged battery: if you leave the scooter for the winter with 0% The battery may fail, the optimal level for storage — 40-60%.
• 💦 Driving in puddles: water can get into the controller or motor, which will lead to a short circuit. If you can not avoid the puddles, after the trip, dry the scooter in a warm room. 2-3 hour.
• 🔧 Ignoring strange sounds, whether it's creaking, knocking, or vibration, signs of wear on bearings or cranks!

Another common problem is that you don't fit properly, and many newcomers are standing too straight on the scooter, which causes you to lose balance.

• Legs shoulder wide, slightly bent in the knees.
• Weight is distributed evenly, but with a slight forward displacement (60% on the front wheel, 40% on the rear).
• The hands are relaxed, the elbows are slightly bent for cushioning.

If you feel that the scooter is "leading" to the side, check:

1. Tire pressure (different pressure in wheels is a common reason for withdrawal).
2. Bearing condition (worn bearings can cause vibration).
3. Steering alignment (if the steering wheel is mounted curved, the scooter will pull to the left or right).

💡

Most falls occur in the first 10 minutes of the ride, when the rider is not used to the responsiveness of the scooter.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions