Best way to take care of a drone?

Product Support Forum
1

Hey everyone! Just wondering how you guys keep your drones in good shape? I’ve got a Mini 3 and want to make sure I’m doing things right.

2

I’ve been flying for a while, and my best advice is to always check your propellers before flying—make sure they aren’t cracked, bent, or loose. The motors have bearings, so spin them by hand and feel for any roughness or grinding. Also, give the body a quick once-over for any cracks or damage. You never know what might have happened during your last flight.

With bigger drones, I actually replace the bearings every year, but for a smaller one like yours, just staying on top of regular checks should be enough.

3

@Zephyr
Thanks! I’ll make sure to check those things before flying.

4

Change the oil every 3,000 miles, check the brake fluid and coolant, and don’t forget the timing belt. :joy:

5

Tan said:
Change the oil every 3,000 miles, check the brake fluid and coolant, and don’t forget the timing belt. :joy:

Oil? :rofl:

6

Tan said:
Change the oil every 3,000 miles, check the brake fluid and coolant, and don’t forget the timing belt. :joy:

Haha, yeah, and make sure to rotate the propellers every 10,000 miles!

7

Drones don’t need much maintenance, but I always wipe mine down after flying, especially if I was near the ocean (salt can be bad for it). Also, always check the props before flying—I’ve had small cracks from hitting bugs mid-air. I also don’t leave batteries on the charger too long. Once they’re full, I take them off.

8

@Aki
Any specific cleaning tips?

9

Aubrey said:
@Aki
Any specific cleaning tips?

Just a microfiber cloth should do the trick. No need to overcomplicate it.

10

Aubrey said:
@Aki
Any specific cleaning tips?

I use a super soft car detailing brush. Works great for getting into small areas like the gimbal.

11

Get some wet wipes for quick cleanups and use a microfiber cloth for the camera lens.

12

The best thing you can do is focus on preventing issues before they happen:

  1. Keep it away from dust, sand, salt, and water—flying near the ocean shortens motor life.
  2. Spin the motors by hand and make sure they move smoothly—if they feel rough, that’s a problem.
  3. Check your props and swap them out if they’re damaged. A small chip can turn into a full break mid-flight.
  4. Don’t leave your batteries in hot places or at full charge for too long. DJI batteries self-discharge over time, but it’s still good practice.
  5. Always start a flight with a fully charged battery. Don’t assume the last charge is still good.
  6. If you crash, don’t just take off again immediately—inspect everything first. A hidden crack in the frame or a loose arm could cause a bigger problem later.

If your motor bearings ever start feeling rough, a tiny bit of mineral oil can help, but that’s just a temporary fix. If it gets worse, the motor probably needs replacing.

13

Do you guys keep a maintenance log or just check things as needed?

14

Super easy way to maintain a drone: every 3-4 months, buy a new one. :joy:

15

Anyone here use propeller motor lubricants? I saw a few for sale, and I think one even had Teflon in it.

16

For my Mini 4 Pro, I try to do these things regularly:

  1. Rotate between at least 3 batteries so they all wear out evenly.
  2. Avoid flying until the battery gets critically low.
  3. Store batteries in the charging dock when not in use. It will auto-discharge to keep them healthy.
  4. Swap out propellers if they show any wear.
  5. If flying in rain or snow, dry the drone off and remove the battery before storing.
  6. Keep firmware up to date—unless the new version is buggy. :joy:
  7. Take out the SD card now and then, wipe it with alcohol, and put it back in. Helps keep the contacts clean.
17

I love you. :heart: