How to remove the speed limit on Xiaomi M365: a full guide to overclocking the scooter

The Xiaomi M365 electric scooter from the factory is limited to a speed of 25 km / h, a standard requirement for most EU countries and Russia. However, many owners want to unleash the full potential of the equipment, especially if they drive in closed areas or outside the city. The removal of the restriction allows you to accelerate the scooter to 30-35 km / h, but this is associated with risks from increased wear of the battery to loss of warranty.

In this article, we will look at all the working ways of unlocking speed, from firmware to hardware modifications, which methods are safe for beginners and which require experience with electronics, and we will analyze the consequences of overclocking: how it affects battery life, braking distance and legal aspects of using a scooter in the city.

Important: modification of firmware or equipment can lead to loss of warranty and unstable operation of the scooter. If you are not sure about your skills, it is better to contact specialists or consider buying a model with factory unlocking (for example, Xiaomi M365 Pro 2 or Ninebot Max G30).

Why Xiaomi M365 is limited in speed: technical and legal reasons

The manufacturer sets the limit at 25 km/h for a reason.

• 📜 In the EU and Russia, electric scooters are equated to means of individual mobility (SIM), for which there is a restriction to 25 km / h. Exceeding can lead to fines (in Russia - up to 2 000 km / h). ₽ under Article 12.29 of the Administrative Code).
• 🔋 Battery safety: Lithium-ion batteries M365 designed for load up to 25 km / h. When accelerating to 30+ km/h increases the risk of overheating and degradation of elements (capacity loss 10-15% faster).
• 🛑 Brake system: Factory brakes (disc) + The braking distance increases by 30 km/h by 40-50%, which is dangerous in urban environments.
• ⚙️ Engine resource: Engine M365 (250 W) running at the limit during acceleration. Prolonged loads can lead to overheating of windings and failure.

However, many users have successfully removed the restriction by taking precautions, such as dispersing a scooter only for country trips or installing additional brake pads, and then we will look at all the methods available, from the simplest to the most complex.

Method 1: Unlock through the official Mi Home app (without firmware)

This is the safest method, but it doesn't work on all versions of scooters, and the bottom line is that in some regions (like the United States or China), Xiaomi allows speeds up to 30 km/h through its app settings. Here's how to do it:

1. Install the Mi Home app (version no lower than 6.0.100) and download from Google Play or the App Store.
2. Connect the scooter to the application via Bluetooth (press the power button for 5 seconds to enable pairing mode).
3. Go to Device Profile → Settings → Region and select the United States or China.
4. Save the changes and restart the scooter (hold the power button for 10 seconds).

If after changing the region in the settings of the scooter appeared the Speed Limit – you can choose the value 30 km/h. If not, your model does not support this method.

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Before changing the region, turn off automatic firmware updates in Mi Home, otherwise the scooter can return factory settings.

⚠️ Note: After changing the region, some features may disappear in the application, such as displaying battery level as a percentage or travel history.

Method 2: Firmware custom software via DownG or ScooterHacking Utility

If the official method didn't work, you'd have to use third-party firmware, which is a riskier way, but it's guaranteed to remove the speed limit.

• 💻 Windows computer 7/10/11 (Mac is not supported).
• 🔌 USB-Type-C Cable (preferably original from Xiaomi).
• 📥 DownG or ScooterHacking Utility (download at scooterhacking.org).
• 🔋 Charged scooter (at least 50% of the battery).

Step-by-step instructions for DownG:

1. Download and install DownG. When you first start, the program will request drivers - allow installation.
2. Connect the scooter to your computer via USB-Type-C (ports on the steering column). Turn on the scooter and hold the power button for 10 seconds until the blue light light lights up.
3. In DownG, select the M365 model and press Connect. If the connection is established, it will appear that says Connected to scooter.
4. Go to the Firmware tab and select the firmware marked 30km/h or No Limit, for example, M365_1.5.2_30kmh.bin).
5. Press Flash Firmware and wait for the process to complete (about 5-7 minutes).

Charge the scooter to 50%+

Download the original firmware (in case of rollback)

Disable the antivirus (can block DownG)

Use the original USB-cable-->

After successful firmware, the scooter will automatically restart. Check the new top speed in the Mi Home app or using GPS (for example, via Strava).

⚠️ Attention: Some custom firmware disables regenerative braking (KERS), This reduces the power reserve by 10 to 15 percent. Before installing, check the firmware description on the forums.

Method 3: Hardware modification of the controller (for power users)

If the software methods don't work, you can physically change the controller, which requires soldering skills and electronics, but it gives a stable result without the risk of a rollback.

The point is, the controller board (under the battery cover) has a speed limit resistor that can be replaced or soldered to trick the system.

• 🔧 Solding iron (power 30-40 W) and solder.
• 🔍 Multimeter for testing resistance.
• 🛠️ Resistor 10 kΩ (replace the staff by 15 kΩ).
• 🔹 Plastic mediator for opening the case.

Step-by-step:

1. Disconnect the scooter from the network and remove the lower cover of the battery compartment (carefully tuck the latches with a mediator).
2. Find a controller -- this is a big green board with a radiator -- and look for a resistor labeled R17 or R15 (may vary depending on the version of the board).
3. Call the multimeter current resistance (should be ~15 kOhm). Carefully solder the resistor and set the new at 10 kOhm.
4. Collect the hull back and check the scooter. The top speed should increase to 30-32 km/h.

This method does not affect the firmware, so the warranty settings remain intact, but when you contact the service Xiaomi can detect traces of autopsy and refuse to repair.

Comparison of Unlocking Methods: Pros and Cons

To choose the best way, compare all options on key parameters:

Important: The firmware of the controller at a speed above 35 km / h requires replacing the battery with a more capacious one (for example, 10S4P instead of the regular 10S2P), otherwise the battery will land for 5-10 km.

Consequences of overclocking: what will change after the removal of the restriction

Speed increases affect not only the dynamics, but also the other parameters of the scooter.

• 🔋 Range: At 30 km/h, energy consumption increases by 20 to 25 percent. If you used to drive 25 km, now it's 18 to 20 km.
• 🛑 Brakeway: 30 km/h it increases from 4-5 meters to 6-8 meters. It is recommended to install disc brakes with metal pads.
• 🔄 Recovery: Some firmwares turn off the regenerative braking system, which reduces the power reserve by another 10%.
• 📉 Bearing wear: At high speeds, the load on the wheels increases, bearings will have to be cleaned and lubricated every 500-800 km (instead of 1,000 km for standard driving).
• 🚨 Legal risks: In Russia, the fine for speeding on SIM - up to 2 000 ₽. In some EU countries, the scooter can be confiscated.

If you decide to disperse the scooter, be sure to install:

• 🪖 Protective bumper on the front wheel (prevents "diving" during sharp braking).
• 🔦 Additional optics: front light for 1000+ lumen and rear stop light.
• 🛡️ Protection of the controller from moisture (silicone case or sealant).

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Acceleration to 30 km / h is justified only when driving on flat roads without pits. In the city it is better to leave factory settings due to the risk of accidents.

Alternative ways to increase speed without firmware

If you don’t want to risk the guarantee but want to go faster, try these methods:

• 🔄 Reset the controller settings: Sometimes after resetting through Mi Home, the scooter temporarily accelerates to 28-29 km / h. → Reset to factory.
• 🪟 Increase the pressure in the tires: Optimal pressure for M365 — 50–55 PSI. 60. PSI rolling resistance decreases and the speed increases by 1-2 km/h.
• ⚡ Use "turbo mode": Some firmware has a hidden acceleration function. To activate it, you need to press the power button 5 times quickly with the scooter on.
• 🏋️ Lose weight: Every 10 kg of cargo reduces the maximum speed by 0.5-1 km / h.+ Kg, try to drive with an empty backpack.

These methods give an increase of 1-3 km / h, but do not require interference with firmware or hardware.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the overclocking of the Xiaomi M365