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Are Ride On Cars Safe?
Yes, they are safe when you use them the right way, but no ride-on is risk-free. Follow the age and weight limits for your car and watch your kids the whole time they ride. Keep them on level ground away from roads, cars, and pools. Put a helmet on for faster rides, and only charge the battery with the charger made for it.
Are you looking to buy a ride-on a kids’ car? If yes, you would surely come across Power wheels. It is a ride-on car brand that has been around since 1984.
Whether you’re going with Power Wheels or any other ride-on car, you would have the question, are kids ride-on cars safe?
We will answer that in more detail.
You need to keep your children off steep hills and slopes. An adult should always be watching when your kids are riding these cars.
The Power Wheels manual says it plainly: “Direct adult supervision required.” Do that, follow the tips below, and ride-on cars are a fun and pretty safe toy.
You might be thinking, what about Power wheels in particular?
Our Pick For 10 Best Power Wheels
If you are looking for a specific Power Wheels brand. Your best option is the 10 Best Powerwheels Compared.
Are Power Wheels dangerous?
No, Power wheels are not dangerous when they’re used the right way. That doesn’t mean nothing ever goes wrong. Kids can tip over on a slope, roll into something, or bump into each other, and recalls do happen.
In 1998, Fisher-Price and the CPSC recalled up to 10 million Power Wheels. Their electrical parts could overheat and start fires, even while the cars were parked or charging, and some cars didn’t stop when they should.
About 150 fires were reported and nine kids got minor burns. That recall was for older models, sold from 1984 to 1998. It’s still smart to check for recalls on any ride-on you own, especially a used one.
Of course, safety varies from one ride-on car to another. Even if you compare the same models of Power wheels, the safety features can vary from one car to another.
We know that you might be thinking, what safety features are necessary?
We will share with you a list of such safety features below. When buying a ride-on car for your kid, you need to look out for these features.
Safety features for the ride on cars:
Did you know that different ride-on cars come with different safety features?
Most parents are not even aware of the safety features present. Without knowing about the safety features, making an informed decision is not possible. Today, we will share some of the safety features which brands like power wheels and others use to make the ride on cars safe.
• Seat belts:
Whether it is a car for kids or adults, seat belts play a significant role. They help keep your kids in their seat over bumps and sudden stops. A seat belt won’t prevent every bump or bruise, but having one makes the ride-on car safer.
Additionally, you have to look at the comfort, length, and locking mechanism of the seat belts. The seat belt should be comfortable to wear. The length should be adjustable according to your kid.
More importantly, the locking mechanism matters a lot. It will keep the seatbelt in place. If it stimulates the locking mechanism of a standard car seat belt, it is an advantage.
Analyzing the seatbelt available on these few parameters will help you choose the kid’s car with the safest seat belts. If the seat belts don’t match what you are looking for you can always upgrade the seat belts yourself.
• Spring suspensions system:
You might find an uncanny similarity between the safety features of a ride-on car and that of your actual car. It is because the same features can make the kid’s cars safer as well.
Without considering the suspension system of a ride on a kid’s car, you cannot choose one. The ideal choice should be a spring suspension system.
There are shock absorbers, springs, and linkages that soften bumps and shocks. That makes for a smoother, more comfortable ride. No suspension makes a ride-on completely safe, though, so it works best along with the rest of the tips here.
Sure enough, you might have to shell out something extra for cars having such a sturdy suspension system, but it is well worth it.
• Parent remote control:
How about taking control of your hands?
No, we’re not asking you to ride with your kids in the cars.
Many ride-on cars come with a parent remote control. Most Power Wheels don’t. Two-speed models have a high-speed lockout that parents set instead.
The parent remote control is an override mechanism. It allows you to stop the car and control its speed from a distance.
Of course, your kids will be using the car under your supervision. Having an additional controller in your hand provides an added layer of safety. Not all vehicles come with a remote, you can always add a remote but it is expensive.
Most ride-on cars in the segment have at least one of these features, and they do make these cars safer. They don’t replace an adult watching, though.
Here is a list of 10 ride on cars that come with parental remotes and compares all the features so you can spot exactly what you are looking for.
But wait, there’s more!
However, these are not the only tips to follow while buying a safe ride on cars for kids.
We would share some buying tips below, which will allow you to choose the safest ride on cars available.
Safety tips for buying ride on toy cars:
Choosing between different power wheels ride on cars is not that easy. Especially when you do not know the safety tips that you should follow while comparing them.
We will help you with the same so that you can choose the safest power wheels cars for your kids.
1. Choose cars with excellent traction:
As a general rule of thumb, a ride-on car with heavy-duty tires is always preferable. The tires should consist of textured patterns to provide proper traction. The larger the tires, the better it is.
The tires are not only responsible for traction but also for the ride quality. The tires can easily muffle the unevenness of the terrain.
When that happens, your kids will experience a much smoother ride. They will not have to worry about jerks or any other kind of shock.
Therefore, tires with excellent traction and textured pattern can make the ride-on toy cars safer. You should choose one with such tires.
2. Make sure the frame is sturdy:
The frame of the ride-on car is what makes it safer. Without finding out more about the frame quality, choosing a ride-on car is a mistake.
Ideally, the metal frame makes the ride on cars safe. Apart from metal construction, any other frame cannot guarantee the same level of protection.
A metal frame holds its shape in a bump better than thin plastic. It won’t make a crash harmless, but it’s one more thing working in your kid’s favor.
Does that calm your nerves?
To avail of this degree of safety, choose a ride-on car with a metal frame.
3. Choose one with an efficient suspension system:
You cannot be 100% certain that your kids will always use the ride-on car on flat terrain. If the terrain is a new one, it can lead to jerks, shocks, and other such problems. In this case, the suspension system can come to the rescue.
Ride on cars with spring suspension systems and other such efficient systems can reduce the jerks and shocks. An efficient suspension system will help your kids enjoy the experience. As a parent, such a suspension system will give you comfort and confidence.
Before you buy a ride-on car, you cannot ignore checking the suspension system. If you cannot find much information about the suspension system of the ride-on car, it doesn’t have a reliable one. In that case, you can skip that car and go with a more reliable option.
4. Do not forget the seat belts:
We stated above as well, the seat belt plays a crucial role in ride-on cars. While we will not elaborate much on seat belts but you should only buy a ride on a kid’s car if it has seat belts.
5. Go with a car with an ergonomic seat:
Did you have this in mind?
An ergonomic seat plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of your kids. In the absence of an ergonomic seat, already your kids will be in an uncomfortable posture. Any jerks, shocks, or even small collisions can cause an injury.
On the other hand, if the seat is ergonomic and comes with a seatbelt, your kids would be better protected. The proper posture helps them ride out bumps.
An ergonomic seat adds a lot to the safety of the car. That is why the 5th tip on our list is to always choose a kid’s car with an ergonomic seat.
6. Check the maximum speed before buying:
Jerks, collisions, or injuries, you can cut down on all of this just by following this one simple tip.
Do not buy a ride-on car without checking its maximum speed!
You might be thinking, what should be the maximum speed of a ride-on car to ensure safety?
Ideally, it should not be greater than 5 mph to 7 mph for younger kids. Slower speeds make jerks and collisions gentler, but not harmless.
A 12V Power Wheels Jeep, for example, has a 2.5 mph low speed and a 5 mph high speed that parents can lock out. Mattel says to keep the lockout on until your kid knows how to steer, start, and stop.
To better equip you we have a full Power Wheels for different ages guide.
7. Make sure the car can carry the weight of your kid:
Did you know that ride-on cars have a weight limit as well?
Depending on whether such a car can sit 1 or 2, the weight limit can vary. In the case of a sitting capacity of 2, the weight carrying capacity is in the range of 120 LBS to 150 LBS. For a solo ride-on car, the weight carrying capacity can range from 60 LBS to 80 LBS. Those are general ranges, so always go by the age and weight limits in your car’s manual. For example, Mattel rates its 12V Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler for ages 3 to 7 and up to 130 lb, with no more than 2 riders at a time.
Checking this specification is vital. Only when there is a lot of margin between your child’s weight (his/her companion in case of dual capacity) and the maximum weight carrying capacity of the kid’s electric car, should you buy it. Otherwise, you should look out for an option that can handle more weight.
The reason for the same is all the safety features of the car perform according to the textbook only when the weight in the car is lesser than the maximum threshold. So, instead of taking any risk, it is better to ensure that the weight carrying capacity of the ride-on car is much higher than needed.
We have a full guide on ride-on car weight limit if you would like more information on this.
8. Go with Power Lock brakes:
No discussion about ride-on car safety is complete without taking the brakes into account.
After all, the brakes are responsible for stopping the car. Power Lock brakes stop the car when your kid takes their foot off the pedal.
They have limits, though. Mattel warns that near a steep incline the car can pick up speed or roll backward even with the pedal released.
When buying any ride-on car or Power wheels, it is advisable to choose one with power lock brakes. If you’re buying some other brand, choosing a car with an equally efficient braking system is a must. Efficient brakes make the car a lot safer.
These are the safety tips that you should add to while buying a ride-on kid’s car.
9. Equipment:
Due to most Power Wheels only going about 5 MPH most people do not purchase helmets, gloves, or pads for ride-on cars. That’s not saying you shouldn’t, I think it depends on your situation.
If you have a faster ride-on car or an area where more than one kid rides on them then a helmet wouldn’t hurt if they run into each other.
Ride-on cars can go fast if you get them for older children commonly the 24V, 36V, and 48V batteries. When you invest in these types of vehicles for ages 8 and up you should get safety gear for your children.
Not only that you should check how fast this ride-on goes and compare the speed with local laws in your area to see if there is anything stopping them legally from riding it.
10. Location:
Where you drive the Power Wheels is very important for safety. Try to avoid areas with pools, sharp hills/cliffs, and any obstructions that the child can run into especially at eye level.
Keep in mind Power Wheels are not allowed on highways and most public roads so it’s best to use them on private property, backyards, parks, and even inside if you have enough room.
11. Battery and charging:
The battery is one part of a ride-on your kids should never handle. The Power Wheels manual says only adults should charge or handle the battery.
Use only the charger made for your car’s battery. If it’s lost or broken, order the matching charger and park the car until it comes.
Never charge a ride-on battery from a car battery, a jump starter, or a solar panel, and never clamp wires onto its terminals. Before each charge, check the battery, charger, and plugs for cracks, leaks, or wear.
Stop charging right away if the battery gets hot, swells, leaks, or smells like rotten eggs. With a standard Power Wheels charger, Mattel says to charge at least 14 hours after each use and never more than 30 hours. Our guide on how to charge Power Wheels has the steps, charge times for other brands, and what the charger lights mean.
Conclusion
With our guide above, choosing the safest Power wheels car or another ride-on car for that matter is easy. It is time to watch your kids enjoy the ride on car experience without having your heart in your mouth.
Supervising them in Power Wheels should be an enjoyable experience for you as well. When you choose the ride-on car using our guide above, you can have an enjoyable experience along with your kids. Now that you are well informed it is now time to find the Power Wheels for your child’s age group.
Kevinsmak
Power Wheels dad. Writing RC Ride On Cars since the start.
Hello! I'm Kevinsmak; I have been a content producer of RC Ride On Cars since the start of this site. I have always enjoyed Power Wheels with my family. My two boys love them, and seeing this helps me make sure this website is very accurate for the safety and enjoyment of your family.
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