Segway gear oil
 

Okay, so I noticed a handy drain plug at the bottom of the gear boxes on my SE when I removed the wheels last fall. I'm kind of a "clean oil freak" (my mother in law calls it a disease) What kind of oil is it, and should I ever check it/change it?

From what I understand, the gearboxes are sealed on purpose...and the oil is not designed (does not need to be) to be changed.

On the other hand: fifty years from now if you are rebuilding an early-century Segway, then sure change the oil :)

Chris

my instincts is to change it too last summer my gear whine got noticeably louder on a hot day - now that it is cooler i almost hear nothing viscosity must be changing?i have a newish 20 14 X2 coming up on 8K
my goal is10 K i ride easy and very slow because im partially disabled i ride on one leg mostlyi lean it to get on and off changing to new gear oil would make me feel better any advice?=leave it alone?

Ride to a reputable vehicle service place (Goodyear, local outfit, whatever). Ask them - if they say it needs changing, then they will have the correct materials, tools, and expertise to do it.

With all due respect, how would an automotive service place know whether a Seg even HAS a gearbox? I guess they might be able to look at the oil and see if it is contaminated, but even then, what would they replace it with, without knowing the requirements/specifications? What does the Segway SE manual say about this?


Gear whine could be different on hot/cold days because of expansion/contraction of materials in the gearboxes. Oil viscosity may contribute, or not.

He noticed a 'handy drain plug' and then you reply that 'the gearboxes are sealed'???

The transmission in my Ford has no drain plug, but you can rest assured I'm not going to try driving it 10 years or 100,000 miles without changing the lubricant

No specific knowledge about Seg gearboxes, but I think every 2,500 miles or so, mine will get changed - Probably using new ATF as the lube unless I lean something different before then

Don

If an internal combustion engine can go over 3000 miles and spins at over 3000rpm, why in the world would you change it so soon?

Your rear differential on your car is between 50 and 60,000 miles for a oil change...
Do what you like, we know of many Segways with 50,000 miles that all that gets replaced is the plastic drive gears....

Hey Don,

For the vast majority of riders, Segway maintenance is comprised of the following:
1. Charge the Segway what it's not in use.
2. Check tire pressure and keep the tires filled to the recommended PSI.
3. If you ride so much that the tire tread wears down, replace the tires.

When I mentioned that the gears are sealed, I meant that AFAIK (going back more than a decade) they're designed to not need any maintenance. At least not for a very, very long time. But again, it's your Segway...so if you already understand the technicalities of changing the oil that's certainly within your right to do so. Your Segway would be special!

Chris

im sure it isnt coupler noise that im hearing ill need to figure out ifa coupler plastic compatable oil before i change if i was healthier i would drill and tap my own fill and drain holes and install a magnetic plug good thing i have two x2s i do wonder if llc could have gotten and installed a batch of gear oil that didnt meet their specs if i change i might try a can of Stp gear oil additive?
coming warm weather will give me my final decision this is my only"wheelchair so ill be careful im mostly welcomed right into most places riding once they see my blue disabled tag and my cane hanging from the handlebar with two zip ties i ride ride right to my seat without botheri lean it get off then one step off to my seat

Those are good points -- do you have a better suggestion?

My thought was that - if they don't know and can't find the gearboxes, they will say so. If they don't think it needs changing, they will say so. If they think it needs changing, then they will be able to figure out what's required, and do it.