Power wheels look like miniature versions of your child’s favorite car models. But do they work like the actual vehicle they mimic?
In a way, there are designs in Power Wheels that take patterns after real cars.
Generally, Power Wheels are turned on using a start button or a key. But unlike most cars, they are powered by electrical energy instead of gas. The battery is rechargeable. Plus, it has a plastic gearbox containing all the necessary control components.
The mechanism to operate Power Wheels is simple and right up the alley for you and your kid. And that’s exactly what we will explore in the new few lines.
How Does a Power Wheels Electric Car Work?
Most Power Wheels base their system on how an actual car works but with a few tweaks.
First, you get power from the rechargeable battery usually installed under the engine hood.
Then, if your child is driving a Power Wheels truck, car, or jeep, it often comes with a throttle switch or foot pedal that controls the speed and direction of the vehicle.
Once your kid starts the Power Wheels, the battery generates the power depending on the voltage. This will give you the ability to use the controls.
When you change from forward to reverse, the motor inside the gearbox also changes direction to move the Power Wheels.
On the other hand, in terms of speed, most Power Wheels have two options: a low speed or a high speed. The shifters will also change from parallel to series to switch from high to low speed and vice versa.
Main Components of Power Wheels Operating System
All Power Wheels purchase comes with a manual on operating and maintaining the toy car. You can always check the guide for specific details.
Nevertheless, understanding how Power Wheels work also depends on how well you know its components.
Battery
Power Wheels batteries come with different voltage capacities, namely 6V, 12V, and 24 V. Of course, the higher the volts, the more powerful the toy car will be. Likewise, all Power Wheels battery is rechargeable for about 10 to 12 hours, depending on the type.
Generally, the battery functions to supply the necessary direct current (DC) for operation. After all, ride-on cars are electrically powered.
For example, the Peg Perego Polaris RZR 900 Ride-on on amazon provides 12V of DC from its battery to the motors.
So, what happens is that once your child pushes the start button, the battery is turned on, providing enough current to supply to the controls and motor.
Shifters
Your shifters are essentially your controls. Your child will be able to move and select the Power Wheels’ speed through the foot pedal or throttle switch.
Power Wheels have speed controllers in their system. It regulates the amount of speed to avoid any incident of crashing.
Likewise, the brake system is also in place and can be controlled through the foot pedal or, in some models, a handbrake – just like a real car.
Here’s essentially what the shifters are for.
Forward and Reverse
Changing from forward to reverse is reasonably simple. Depending on the type of Power Wheels you have, you can just switch a button or step on a foot pedal. Others have a joystick you can push forward or backward.
Low Speed and High Speed
Power Wheels for younger kids often have a separate switch button for speed. It simply says low speed or high speed.
In other ride-on cars, you’ll see the option of the specific speed you’d like to drive on. Depending on the Power Wheels model, it could range from 2 mph to 5 mph.
Motors
Any Power Wheels won’t run if the motors are not functioning correctly. These motors require a gear reduction or belt to operate and a direct current supplied by the battery.
You can think of these components as the composition of the Power Wheels’ gear system.
Essentially, the motors shift directions depending on whether you move forward or in reverse. They also incur adjustments when speed shifts from low to high.
Steering Wheel
Nothing says I’m driving a car than when you control your vehicle with the steering wheel. At least, that’s how a child feels.
The steering wheel of a Power Wheels is the same as that of a car. So when you turn it to the right, the ride-on vehicle will move in the same direction as the wheel connects with the front tires.
Is It Easy to Ride a Power Wheels Car?
Yes, it’s easy to ride and operate a Power Wheels Car.
First, all controls are straightforward, especially for younger kids. You can just push some buttons to control the Power Wheels.
For example, your child can operate the Power Wheels Racing ATV on amazon by simply pushing three buttons. You’ll see the green, yellow, and red colors. The green means go, yellow is for slowing down, while the red one will help you stop and turn the ATV in reverse.
It’s not just simple but educational as well, considering these are the color associations they need to master when they’re old enough to drive a real car.
Other cars even have a parental remote control like the Power Wheel BBQ Fun Jeep Wrangler on amazon. It also has power-lock breaks and high-speed lockout, which reinforce your kid’s safety.
Why Won’t My Power Wheels Work?
If you find your Power Wheels suddenly stopped working, it could be due to the following reasons.
1. The battery is not fully charged.
Power Wheels batteries are not your average power source. They require a specific charging length to regain power completely.
Initial charging often reaches 18 hours, depending on the type of battery you have. In contrast, subsequent charging can go as long as 14 hours.
So, if you cut the charging short, your battery will most likely provide a limited power supply affecting the function of the entire electrical system.
2. The electrical system is faulty.
If Power Wheels is not starting, this could be due to problems with the wiring. This could be due to corrosion when moisture or water is sipped inside the wiring system. Likewise, the circuit board might have become loose during a rough ride.
You can use a multimeter to test if enough DC electrical energy flows from the engine to the throttle switch and motors. If there is no electrical current, you may want to contact the service provider for your Power Wheels repair.
3. The battery is not properly connected to the motors.
There’s a chance that your battery to motors connection is loose if the Power Wheels is not working.
Check on all the connections and make sure they are tight to ensure sufficient current is supplied to the motors.
Moreover, check if the battery is not dead. You can test your battery using a wall or smart charger.
Final Thoughts
Riding a Power Wheels car is incredibly easy. Kids will learn it just as easily as they learn to operate other battery-operated toys.
Moreover, Power Wheels are fun to ride, and it teaches your child all about the basics of safe driving.
If you want to preserve your kid’s Power Wheels for a long time, a little supervision might be necessary.
You can orient your child on how to properly operate the toy car and keep it safe from any damage that would require a substantial repair or replacement.