7 Essential Electric Golf Cart Maintenance Tips

Having a golf cart of your very own is an exciting experience. Golf carts are a great way to cruise around the neighborhood with family or friends and look at holiday decorations, and it’s helpful to have when you’re out on the back nine.

Taking good care of your golf cart is one of the most important things you can do to get the most out of it. If you want to keep your cart in good condition and have it treating you right for years to come, here are seven essential electric golf cart maintenance tips to consider to keep things running smoothly.

Taking Care of the Battery

When you have an electric golf cart, taking care of the battery is one of the most crucial and common steps in maintaining your cart. Depending on the age or model of your cart, you probably have a lead-acid or lithium battery. Most newer carts have a lithium battery, which typically requires much less maintenance and provides more power.

If your cart has a lead-acid battery, then you need to prepare yourself to do more work on it. You can open the battery and adjust the water levels, taking extra special care that the lead plates are submerged to keep the battery running. Lithium batteries typically don’t open, so you have much less to work on. However, no matter which battery type you have, it’s a good idea to ensure that you clean it, remove any visible signs of corrosion and ensure that all the connections are firmly attached.

Loose or fraying wires connecting to the battery may cause problems with the battery itself and prevent your cart from getting enough power to run. These issues can result in inconsistent performance or failure to hold a proper charge, forcing your trip around the block to be cut short.

It’s generally a good idea to charge your battery when the cart is not in use, but we recommend keeping a watchful eye on how much you charge it. Many modern carts with lithium batteries have smart chargers that prevent your battery from overcharging, so it may be safe to leave them on the charger. However, leaving a battery on the charger at all times can overcharge the battery, shortening its total lifespan and making it more difficult for the battery to hold a charge.

2. Perform an Annual Brake Inspection

One thing that many folks consider an advantage of golf carts is that they typically don’t move very fast. In fact, they have a maximum speed of around 20 miles per hour. This fact is noteworthy because it means the brakes wear down much slower than those on a traditional car.

Even with low speeds, it’s still a good idea to pick a day each year, to perform a brake inspection. If you store your cart for the winter, we suggest performing the inspection when you dig it out in the spring. Many electric golf carts use regenerative brakes, which use the engine and battery to help the vehicle slow down. Most golf carts have rear brake pads, so we recommend checking those annually and having some replacement pads around if you need to swap them out.

3. Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure

One essential tip for electric golf cart maintenance is to take small steps to keep your tires in good condition. If your tire pressure is too low, you risk damaging the tires and the wheels themselves. Overinflated tires are more prone to punctures and may need replacing if damaged. Underinflation damages the tires’ treads, which can reduce their overall lifespan.

We suggest keeping a tire pressure gauge on or near your cart and regularly checking your tires’ air pressure levels. The specific number may vary depending on your cart or tire choice, but most golf cart tires range between 15 and 25 psi.

4. Checking the Oil and Potential Leaks

If you ever notice oil stains forming under your golf cart, they’re most likely due to a leak, which you should try to fix as soon as possible. Some of the most common causes of oil leaks in golf carts come from worn-out filters or damaged valve gaskets. Sometimes, a connection may be loose and tightening it can solve the leak. If the problem persists, you may want to take your cart to a mechanic for a professional evaluation.

5. Know the Limits of Your Cart

One common problem with people who buy golf carts is that they do so without knowing or understanding the limitations of the cart. Golf carts, even electric ones, aren’t built for speed and have trouble with steeper inclines. Golf carts work best with gentler slopes and casual drives, and you may damage your cart if you try to push it too hard. If you want something faster or more powerful, you may want to consider a different type of utility vehicle.

6. Learn To Identify Problems

A good way to maintain your electric golf cart is by learning how to tell when something is wrong. Pay close attention to any peculiar sights, sounds, or smells. If you have a proper understanding of how it feels when everything is running smoothly, you can quickly identify potential problems and make adjustments or repairs before they become bigger.

7. Clean Your Cart

Taking care of your electric golf cart’s appearance is as vital to maintaining it as keeping things running smoothly under the hood. If you want to get the most out of your cart’s lifespan, then you’ll want to take the time to keep it clean. Many people leave their golf carts in sheds or outdoors unsheltered, which can lead to dust and sun damage, and leave you with a worn-down-looking cart sooner rather than later. When you keep your cart clean, maintain the upholstery, and ensure that the windows and headlights are clear of any grime, you can feel better about driving it around the neighborhood.

Ben Nelson Golf & Utility Vehicles is your one-stop shop for E-Z-Go electric golf carts and other high-quality brands. We have a wide selection of makes and models for your utility vehicle needs. Stop by one of our dealerships or contact a member of our staff at any time for more information.