How to upgrade a ride on car for kids

Whether your kid has just got their first electric ride on car, or they’ve been behind the wheel of a kids’ car for a while, they’ll likely already have been gripped by the need for speed. 

Once you’ve bought an electric kids car, the fun doesn’t stop there; there are lots of ways you can customise a ride on car. If you’re looking to give your child a bit of a speed boost so they can leave their friends in their dust or improve their street cred with a fresh lick of paint and some decals, you’re in the right place.

Can you modify a kids electric car?

Yes, modifying your kids electric car has become increasingly popular amongst parents. There are lots of ways you can modify a kids electric car, including:

• Cosmetic modifications like paint jobs or sticker kits
• Engine/battery modifications to give your kids electric car a power boost 

First of all, there are a few important reminders we need to get out of the way first. 

1. Modifying your kids electric car, specifically the battery, will void your warranty. So if you’re dead set on modifying your kids electric car, be mindful you are doing this at your own risk. 
2. We recommend extreme caution when modifying your kids electric ride on car. As with any DIY modifications, there are risks to the vehicle’s integrity and electronics. You don’t want any nasty shocks! 
3. Please make sure that there is proper adult supervision at all times. Safety first people! 

Things you need to know before upgrading your kids’ car

Before you start swapping stock batteries for new ones to increase the maximum speed, there are a couple of things you need to know before you make changes to your kid’s ride on car.

1. Modifying the battery of an electric ride on car will void the warranty, so if you’re keen to customise your kid’s car, you’re doing so at your own risk. 
2. There are dangers associated with upgrading a car and there is a possibility that you could damage the car and make it unsafe – ensure your child is under adult supervision at all times while using their modified ride.

How to make cosmetic modifications to kids’ electric cars

Cosmetic modifications are the easiest and safest way to improve your kid’s electric car. So, if you want to treat your kid by repainting, adding a personalised number plate or upgrading the wheels on your kid’s car, here’s how: 

1. How to personalise the number plate on an electric ride on car 

Once you have received the personalised number plate stickers, fitting them is very straightforward, it’s a case of cleaning the number plate area of the car and placing the stickers. 

Before fitting any stickers or decals to a kids’ electric car, you should ensure that the area is properly cleaned, to maximise the durability of the sticker. If the area is dirty, the decal will stick to the dirt, not the car, and may start to peel away. You can buy personalised number plate stickers.

2. How to repaint an electric ride on car 

Before you start painting your kid’s electric car, you need to give it a good clean, to ensure an even coat and that the paint successfully adheres to the car. 

Once the car is clean, it’s time to use masking tape to mark out any outlines, like go-faster stripes or other patterning. 

Next, it’s time to spray the plastic with a primer. The primer will help the paint stick to the car, as well as prevent the colour from fading, peeling or flaking. 

Finally, it’s time to paint the car, make sure you use paint that’s formulated for use on plastic to ensure the best results and repeat coats until the desired colour is achieved. 

3. How to change the wheels on an electric ride on car 

Over time, your kid’s car will pick up numerous scrapes, scratches and scuffs. One of the most common areas this happens is the wheels, so a new set can quickly refresh the look of the car. 

To replace the wheels on a kids’ electric car, you first need to remove the existing ones. To do this, you’ll need to remove the wheel caps and unscrew the nut and bolt that fastens each wheel in place. 

Next, it’s time to add the new wheel – making sure the nut and bolt are re-added afterwards. Once everything’s in place, it’s time to tighten the bolt and replace the wheel cap. In the market for a new set of wheels for your little one’s car? 

Explore our selection of wheels for ride on cars.

How to increase the speed of electric ride on cars

If your kid has been moaning about the slow pace of their car, a more powerful battery could give them the increase in speed they crave. 

It’s not uncommon for kids’ electric cars to have a weaker stock battery than the motor’s maximum input of power. This limits the top speed and means that a new battery alone could increase the speed of your kid’s car. 

If you’ve already tried a higher voltage battery and the speed still hasn’t increased, there are a couple of other modifications you can make to increase the speed. Here are our tips on making your kid’s electric car that little bit faster. 

Change the battery

If your child’s ride on car currently has a 6-volt battery, there’s a good chance it’s hampering the speed. So, for additional power, try upgrading it to a 12-volt battery. As well as increasing the speed of the car, better battery capacity means the car will last longer on a single charge. 

When changing the battery, ensure you purchase from a reputable brand to guarantee quality and avoid any power surges. Another way of avoiding power surges is to buy an inline fuse, so it may be safe to purchase one of these too. You will also need to be aware that upgrading the battery can burn out the motor too, so make sure the motor is up to the job before adding more power. 

Purchase replacement ride on car batteries online.

Remove the lock-out screw 

The majority of electric ride on cars have a lock-out screw (also known as a governor), which limits the power of the car so acceleration is more gradual. The lock-out screw can be loosened to increase the speed. 

This is a popular way to increase the speed of a kids’ car because it’s straightforward and effective, and the change can be reversed if need be. 

Fit an electronic speed controller (ESC) 

Kids’ ride on cars are fitted with very basic speed controls to make them easy to use, but these can be modified too. One of the ways you upgrade these controls is by purchasing an electronic speed controller. An ESC helps to deliver power more abruptly to the car, making it accelerate faster. 

Alternatively, you could buy an ESC kit, which gives you greater control over the car’s speed output, and you can even add safety functions like kill switches. 

More advice from Electric Ride On Cars

We’re all about maximising your kid’s playtime and helping them learn and develop while they enjoy themselves. To do this, we’ve put together a number of helpful guides to ensure they can have fun in a safe way. 

So, for the latest tips and advice, take a look at the Electric Ride on Cars blog. Here, you’ll find information on how electric ride on cars can help kids drive their development, how to maintain an electric ride on car for kids, and much more.     

Strap in, get set, and go! We’ve handpicked some of our best selling electric kids cars we think your kids will love!

FAQs

Can you modify a kids’ electric car?

Yes – modifying kids’ ride on cars has grown in popularity, with parents choosing to: 

• Make cosmetic changes, like repainting the cars and fitting decals
• Upgrade the engine and battery to increase the speed

What’s the battery life of a kids’ ride on car?

A kids’ electric ride on car with a 6v battery will last up to an hour before needing to be recharged. The lifespan of a 12v battery is approximately an hour of continuous use. For ride on cars with 24v batteries, you can expect them to last up to two hours on a single charge. 

Factors that will affect how long the battery lasts on a ride on car include the weight of the driver, the terrain and the speed the car is driven at. 

Explore our blog for information on how long it takes to charge a kid’s electric car.

How do you add music to kids’ ride on cars?

A car must have an MP3-compatible stereo before music can be played from it. These MP3 stereos are typically compatible with both USB and aux cables, so you can plug in and play from your device.  

How can you make a power wheels car faster? 

To make your power wheels faster, you can upgrade the battery. When choosing which battery to use, it’s good to know that lithium batteries will last longer than other types of batteries and provide you with the most speed.