# Caring for and Maintaining Your Zwift Ride > To help get the best experience from your Zwift Ride follow these guidelines by time/ride hours: Every Ride, After One Week (10 Hours Riding), Every Month... Source: https://support.zwift.com/en_us/caring-for-and-maintaining-your-zwift-ride-SyKXyMGLC Last updated: 2026-07-21T20:31:21.961Z # Caring for and Maintaining Your Zwift Ride Regular maintenance helps keep your Zwift Ride performing at its best. Use the schedule below to determine how often to perform each maintenance task. ## Difficulty Rating [![Difficulty Rating 1/3](https://content-cdn.zwift.com/support/EN/Hardware/Resources/Images/Difficulty Level 1-3.png "No Sweat - 1/3")](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/troubleshooting-difficulty-rating-rygrkYkhyl "No Sweat 1/3") \- [![Difficulty Rating 3/3](https://content-cdn.zwift.com/support/EN/Hardware/Resources/Images/Difficulty Level 3 - Link.png "Pushing the Limits - 3/3")](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/troubleshooting-difficulty-rating-rygrkYkhyl "Pushing the Limits 3/3") ## Required Tools/Equipment Use the following as needed: * Frame key (6mm provided with Zwift Ride) * 5mm hex key. * 8mm hex key. * Torque wrench. * Dry chain lubricant. * Thread lubricant. * Chain wear indicator. * Damp microfiber cloth. * Handlebar Tape. * Electrical/Finishing Tape. * Sharp Scissors. * Small (1.5mm) flathead screwdriver or pick. We recommend using a dry chain lubricant, such as products from Muc-Off or Finish Line. Do not use wax-based lubricants with Zwift Ride. ## Things to Know * Do not use detergents, alcohol wipes, cleaning sprays, or other cleaning products on the controllers. * Never submerge the controllers in water. * Do not use Zwift Ride in humid environments, such as rooms with a pool or hot tub. * Do not remove, disassemble, or modify the controllers or controller batteries. ## Initial Inspection (After Your First 10 Hours) After the first 10 hours (about 1 week), inspect the following components to ensure they're properly tightened. Tighten components to the torque values listed in the Torque Values section below. Tighten trainer leg bolts according to the trainer manufacturer's recommendations. * Saddle adjustment bolt * Seat post adjustment bolt * Thru axle * Crank bolts * Pedals * Trainer bolts ## Maintenance Schedule Complete each task at the interval shown. For example, perform tasks marked Every 30 Hours at 30, 60, 90, 120 hours, and so on. Task Callout Frequency Wipe down Zwift Ride and controllers \- Every ride Check controller firmware \- Every 30 hours (about 1 month) Inspect and tighten saddle adjustment bolt 1 Every 30 hours (about 1 month) Inspect and tighten seat post adjustment bolt 2 Every 30 hours (about 1 month) Inspect and tighten pedals 3 Every 30 hours (about 1 month) Check controller battery level \- Every 30 hours (about 1 month) Check thru axle 4 Every 90 hours (about 3 months) Lubricate chain 5 Every 90 hours (about 3 months) Maintain Adjustment Points 2, 6, 7 Every 90 hours (about 3 months) Inspect and tighten trainer bolts \- Every 90 hours (about 3 months) Check chain wear 5 Every 180 hours (about 6 months) Inspect and tighten handlebar clamp bolts 8 Every 180 hours (about 6 months) Inspect and tighten crank bolts 9 Every 360 hours (about 12 months) Check handlebar tape 10 Every 360 hours (about 12 months) ### Component Locations ![Location of maintenance items for Zwift Ride](https://content-cdn.zwift.com/support/EN/Hardware/Resources/Images/Matinetnance Locations.png "Maintenance Schedule Locations") ## Maintenance Procedures Follow the procedures below when the corresponding maintenance task is due. ### Wipe Down Zwift Ride and Controllers Removes sweat and dirt that can damage components over time. 1. Turn off the handlebar controllers. * Press and hold the Z button until the controllers turn off. 2. Wipe the Zwift Ride and controllers with a dry cloth. ### Check Controller Firmware Keep the controllers up to date with the latest improvements and fixes. See [Updating Your Zwift Ride Firmware](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/updating-your-zwift-ride-firmware-Hyw4xGzU0). ### Inspect and Tighten Applicable Bolts Helps ensure components remain secure during riding. 1. Inspect the applicable bolts shown in the Component Locations image. 2. Apply a small amount of thread lubricant to the bolt threads if needed. 3. Ensure bolts are tightened to the specified torque value shown below. Tighten trainer leg bolts according to the trainer manufacturer's recommendations. ### Check Thru Axle Helps ensure the bike remains securely attached to the trainer. 1. Inspect the Thru Axle. 2. Apply a small amount of thread lubricant to the bolt threads if needed. 3. Ensure the Thru Axle is tightened to the specified torque value shown below. ### Check Controller Battery Helps avoid interruptions during rides. 1. Check if the controller battery needs to be charged. * The LED on your Zwift Ride flashes orange when the battery is low. * You can see the controller battery level on the PAIRED DEVICES screen in-game. 2. Charge the controllers if needed. ### Lubricate the Chain Helps reduce drivetrain wear and minimize chain noise. 1. Apply a dry chain lubricant to the chain. 2. Wipe away any excess lubricant with a dry cloth. ### Maintain Adjustment Points Helps keep adjustment points moving freely over time. 1. Take note of the adjustment point locations. 2. Loosen each adjustment bolt. 3. Move the component through its adjustment range. 4. Reposition the component to its original position. 5. Apply a small amount of thread lubricant to the bolt threads if needed. 6. Tighten the bolt to the specified torque value shown below. ### Check Chain Wear Helps identify a worn chain before it causes additional drivetrain wear. 1. Use a chain wear indicator to inspect the chain. 2. If the chain has elongated by 0.75% or more, [contact support](https://support.zwift.com/contact/contact-us-HJH8N4RNQ). ### Check Handlebar Tape Helps maintain comfort and grip while riding. If your handlebar tape is loose, ripped, or not soft to the touch, you might want to replace it. See [Replacing the Handlebar Tape on Your Zwift Ride](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/replacing-the-handlebar-tape-on-your-zwift-ride-SkarZff8A). ## Torque Values The following table lists the torque values for tightening the adjustment bolts on your Zwift Ride: ![Bolt locations shown on ride image](https://content-cdn.zwift.com/support/EN/Hardware/Resources/Images/Torque Locations.png "Bolt Tightening Locations") Adjustment Point Callout Torque Value Hex Key Size Saddle 1 15Nm 6mm Seat Post 2 10Nm 6mm Pedals 3 30Nm 6mm Thru Axle 4 15Nm 6mm Phone Tray/Tablet Holder End Cap 5 10Nm 6mm Handlebar Stem 6 10Nm 6mm Handlebar 7 10Nm 6mm Handlebar Clamp 8 9Nm 5mm Cranks 9 45Nm 8mm ## Related Articles * [Tightening the Crank Arm on Your Zwift Ride](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/tightening-the-crank-arm-on-your-zwift-ride-Bygk3ywPJx) * [Zwift Ride LEDs](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/zwift-ride-leds-rkFcZzMUC) * [Charging Your Zwift Ride](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/charging-your-zwift-ride-HkIdAbM80) * [Adjusting Your Zwift Ride](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/adjusting-your-zwift-ride-SyUBRM8A) * [Connecting Your Zwift Ride to Zwift](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/connecting-your-zwift-ride-to-zwift-Bksj0WzIC) * [Using Your Zwift Ride Controller](https://support.zwift.com/en_us/using-your-zwift-ride-controller-Skw8efMIC) Ride On. \-The Team at Zwift