Buying a new or used golf cart can be a major purchase. While electric golf carts don’t require a tremendous amount of maintenance, there are a few things that should be done on a regular basis. Following these 10 easy golf cart maintenance tips will insure that your golf cart performs at its best for many years to come!

10 Easy Golf Cart Maintenance Tips

The batteries are one of the biggest expenses when it comes to owning an electric golf cart. These first 3 tips are essential for keeping your golf cart batteries in tip top condition.

#1 Charge Your Batteries Often

Charge the batteries after each use (whenever possible). This is THE most important part of owning an electric golf cart! Keeping the batteries fully charged in between every use does two things. Fully charged batteries do not sulfate as quickly as discharged batteries. Leaving batteries to sit in a discharged state (even for a short time) will lead to premature failure of the batteries. This is not an instant process, it happens over time, and can mean the difference between getting 5+ years out of your batteries vs. only 3-4 years or less! Also, charging after each use means your batteries will not take as long to be fully recharged. This means less heat build up inside the batteries, which leads to less water usage and happier batteries overall. If the golf cart is not in use, the batteries should be charged every 30 days.

#2 Check The Water Level In The Batteries

Checking the water level in the batteries should be done on a monthly basis. If the above charging procedure is followed, your batteries should not need a tremendous amount of water. Fill to about an inch below the fill hole to avoid any water pushing out of the batteries during the charging process. Battery watering systems provide an easy way to fill all of your batteries at once, while insuring they do not get over filled.

#3 Keep The Batteries Clean and Free From Corrosion

As your golf cart batteries charge, they release gasses. These gasses can cause corrosion build up on the lead battery terminals. Cleaning the corrosion off of the battery terminals as soon as possible is important, leaving corrosion untreated can degrade the battery cables as well. Corrosion equals more electrical resistance and heat, which can lead to poor golf cart performance and electrical issues. Following tip #1 is the best way to reduce battery gassing during the charging process.

#4 Check Your Tire Pressure

No, we do not mean, kick the tires with your foot to make sure they aren’t flat. Once a month, the ACTUAL tire pressure should be checked with a tire pressure gauge and inflated to the recommended PSI as indicated on the sidewall of the tire. Properly inflated tires will give you the maximum tread life, proper steering and handling characteristics, and less rolling resistance (meaning less stress on your motor and batteries).

#5 Inspect The Brakes

Many electric golf carts can reach speeds of 15-20mph or more. Having a braking system that functions properly is extremely important! Inspecting the brake shoes, cables, and parking brake mechanism annually is essential to keep you and your golf cart safe and able to stop effectively.

#6 Lubricating Steering and Suspension Components

Keeping the steering and suspension well lubricated is critical on your golf cart. Regular lubrication will prevent excessive and premature wear on the steering and suspension components. This should be done as part of a regular maintenance schedule.

#7 Watch For Leaks

In this case we are looking for oil leaks near the back of the golf cart. Oil leaking from the rear differential of your golf cart can indicate a problem. Golf cart differentials do not hold much oil, so it is important to address any leaks right away. If the rear differential loses oil, it will not lubricate the internal components properly and could lead to excessive heat, wear, and ultimately, premature rear end failure.

#8 Check Your Lights

This may seem obvious, however, you would be surprised at how many people do not know their headlights or brake lights (if equipped) do not work. Checking to make sure all of your lights are working properly can save you a lot of frustration and keep you safe when driving on the road or in the dark.

#9 Keep Your Cart Clean

Keep your golf cart washed and free of dirt and grass build up. A clean golf cart allows you to spot any possible issues much faster. Oil leaks for example can be soaked up by dirt and grass caked on the underside of the golf cart. Regularly cleaning your golf cart will also keep the paint and upholstery looking like new.

#10 Schedule a Professional Annual Maintenance Appointment

While most of the maintenance tips we discussed can be completed at home, some of them are best to have done by a professional. Golf carts, like most vehicles, rarely break down at a convenient time. Scheduling a preventative maintenance appointment at your convenience will help catch any issues while they are still small. This will save you time, money, and frustration in the future.

Let’s Wrap This Up

As you can see, maintaining your electric golf cart is not extremely hard or time consuming. Following these 10 easy golf cart maintenance tips will help you get the most life, performance, and enjoyment from your golf cart.