Xiaomi Mi Electric Scooter M365 — One of the most popular in the world, but even his tires wear out over time, puncture, cut or just bald rubber can turn a trip into anguish, and in the worst case, lead to an accident. Many owners are afraid to change the wheel themselves, for fear of damaging the electronics or improperly assembled design. In fact, the procedure is easier than it seems: with the tools and patience, even a beginner can cope with the task.
In this article, you'll find a step-by-step photo guide, a list of tools you need, tips for choosing tires (including tubeless and reinforced options), and common mistakes you make when replacing. We'll take both wheels apart, the front and rear, because they're different in design. If you've never held a bicycle key, don't worry: there's nothing more difficult than changing a tire on a bicycle.
When to change the tire on Xiaomi M365: 5 obvious signs
The manufacturer says the scooter tires are 5,000 to 8,000 km long, but the actual duration depends on the driving style and road conditions.
- 🔍 Visible cracks or cuts on rubber – even minor damage can grow and lead to sudden puncture.
- 🟒 Frequent punctures (more than 2-3 times a month) – a sign that the rubber has become too thin.
- 🚴 Deteriorated handling: the scooter “floats” on the corners or worse brakes.
- 🔊 Extraneous sounds when driving (squeaking, knocking) - possible internal damage to the cord.
If you ignore these signs, the risk of falling increases by 3-5 times. For example, a tire bursting at speed can block the wheel, which will lead to a flight through the steering wheel. It is especially dangerous to ride worn rubber in the rain: the braking distance increases to 40%.
⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi M365 The rear wheel wears out faster than the front wheel because of the load from the engine.
What tires to choose for Xiaomi M365: Comparison of 4 types of rubber
Not all tires are equally useful. M365 fitting 8.5 inch-diameter ERTO 20-406. But there are variations within this standard:
| Type of tire | Pluses | Cons | Term of service | Price (per 1 pc) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (original) | Soft, good grip. | Fast washing, afraid of nails | 3,000-5,000 km | 800–1 200 ₽ |
| Enhanced (Kevlar) | Puncture resistant, durable. | Harder, harder, more expensive. | 8,000–12,000 km | 1 500–2 500 ₽ |
| Intemperate | Less risk of puncture, easier to balance | Harder to install, expensive repairs | 6,000 to 10,000 km | 1 800–3 000 ₽ |
| Winter (stitched) | Great grip on the ice. | Noisy, wears out quickly on the asphalt | 2,000-4,000 km | 2 000–3 500 ₽ |
For urban driving, the best option is a reinforced cord (like the Schwalbe Marathon or the Kenda K-West), which is more expensive than the original ones, but pays off at the expense of durability. If you often drive on gravel or forest paths, take tubeless tires, they are better at keeping pressure on minor punctures.
Important: Xiaomi M365 You can't install tires that are more than 2.125 inches wide, they will touch plastic wings. Also avoid rubber with aggressive treads (for example, for mountain bikes) - it will increase resistance and reduce the range by 10-15%.
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Before buying a new tire, check the production date on the sidewall (4 digits in the oval). Rubber older than 2-3 years can crack even without use.
Tire replacement tools: what you need and what you can replace
Without the right tools to remove the wheel from Xiaomi M365 It's almost impossible. Here's the full list:
- 🔧 Bicycle mounts (2-3 pieces) - plastic is better, so as not to damage the rim.
- 🔨 Eccentric key (or 5 mm hexagon for the rear wheel).
- 🔩 End key 14 mm - for unscrewing the axis nuts (on some models - 15 mm).
- 🛠️ Set of screwdrivers (cross and flat) - for removing plastic covers.
- 🧴 Soapy solution or WD-40 — eases up.
- 🎯 Pump with pressure gauge - for pumping the wheel to the desired pressure (35-40) PSI).
If you don't have any special mounts, you can use plastic ice cream blades or dumb knives, but you have to be careful not to puncture the camera. You can use a wrench to unscrew the nuts, but it can lick the edges.
⚠️ Warning: Never use screwdrivers or metal objects to disassemble the wheel - they will damage the rim or the camera. Plastic mounts cost 100-200 ₽, They will save you hundreds of dollars on repairs.
Take a picture of the wire connection circuit (for the rear wheel)|Check the pressure in the new chamber (should be 0)|Prepare the workplace (clean floor, good lighting)|Put on gloves - rubber stains your hands|Turn off the scooter from charging 24 hours before work-->
Step-by-step: how to remove the wheel from the scooter Xiaomi M365
The process is different for the front and rear wheels. Let's start with the simpler one, the front.
Removal of the front wheel
1 Unscrew the 4 screws on the plastic wheel cover (cross screwdriver). Carefully remove the lid by pulling it on you.
2. Relax the eccentric: turn the lever counterclockwise, then unscrew the nut on the other side with a key of 5 mm. If the eccentric is "sticky," use WD-40.
3. Remove the wheel from the fork by pulling it up. If it doesn't respond, tap the rubber hammer on the axis.
Removal of the rear wheel (with motor)
It is more difficult because of the wires and brake mechanism:
1. Unplug the brake cable from the lever on the wheel. Remember how it was fixed (preferably photographed).
2 Unscrew the axis nuts with the end key by 14 mm. Do not lose washers and gaskets - they will need to be installed back in the same order.
3. Take the wheel out carefully, holding the motor wires. Don't pull them - you can tear the contacts off!
4. Disconnect the motor power connector (white plastic connector) and it locks with a latch, press it with a screwdriver.
If the scooter Xiaomi M365 Pro or newer, the connector can be of a different type. FAQ end-of-article.
What do I do if the nut is stuck?
How to unwrap the wheel and install a new tire
This is the most time-consuming stage. If you've never changed a tire on a bicycle, practice on an old tire.
Removal of the old tire
1. Pull the camera down by pressing the nipple. If the wheel is tubeless, just bend the side of the tire with the mount.
2. Put the mount under the edge of the tire and hook it by the spoke. Repeat with the second mount at a distance of 10-15 cm.
3. Carefully turn the edge of the tire through the rim as you move around in a circle. When one side is free, pull out the camera.
Installation of a new tire
1. Check the rim for burrs or rust. If necessary, clean it with sandpaper.
2. Put one edge of the new tire on the rim. Start with the side opposite the nipple.
3. Insert the camera starting with the nipple. Make sure it's not twisted.
4 Fill the second edge of the tire using mounts. The last 10-15 cm will be the most difficult, soap solution will help.
5. Make sure the camera is not sandwiched between the tire and the rim.Pump the wheel to 10-15. PSI and look around.
If the tire bites the camera, lower the wheel and adjust the rubber, otherwise, when pumped to full pressure, the camera will burst.
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The most common mistake is the camera's positioning inside the tire, which should lie flat, without folds, and the nipple should be strictly perpendicular to the rim.
Scooter assembly and inspection after tire replacement
When the wheel is ready, you have to put it back together.
Front wheel installation
1. Insert the wheel into the fork and fix it with an eccentric. The lever should close with force.
2. Make sure the wheel rotates freely, without backlashes.
3. Put on a plastic cover and twist the screws.
Rear wheel installation
1. Connect the motor connector. It should click with the characteristic sound.
2. Carefully thread the wheel into the fork, combining the axle holes.
3. Put on the washers and tighten the nuts. Tighten them cross-to-cross to avoid skewing.
4. Connect the brake cable and check its operation.
After assembly:
- 🔋 Pump the wheel to 35-40 PSI (manometer).
- 🚲 Roll 100-200 meters at low speed, checking handling.
- 🔊 Listen to any foreign sounds (squeaking, knocking).
⚠️ Note: If after replacing the tire scooter Xiaomi M365 If you start to hit the steering wheel when you're driving, you're either crooked or unbalanced.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced owners sometimes make mistakes.-5 errors and their consequences:
- Axis nuts pulled over → This leads to a bearing backlash or a wheel jamming. Solution: tighten at a force of 20 to 25 Nm (use a dynamometer key).
- Wrong pressure. → Too high pressure reduces grip, too low pressure increases the risk of puncture. Solution: pump to 35-40 PSI and check with a manometer.
- Forgot to plug the brake cable. → Solution: always take a picture of the initial state before disassembling.
- Damage to the camera with a mount. → The wheel will come down in a day or two. Solution: use plastic mounts and lubrication.
- We didn't match the markings on the tire. → Solution: Focus on the rotation arrow on the sidewall of the tire.
If after replacing the tire, the scooter became worse to accelerate or the battery goes down faster, check:
- 🔌 Motor connector connection (possibly oxidized contacts).
- 🔄 Settings KERS (Regenerative braking) in the Mi Home app - sometimes they get knocked down.