Like any vehicle, a golf cart needs regular maintenance and service. Getting this service done can save you time and money, and prevent the embarrassment of having your cart break down right in the middle of the course. That’d be worse than hitting your ball into a sand trap and then whiffing it repeatedly while your friends and coworkers watch and laugh at you! Of course, the kind of maintenance you need to do depends on what kind of cart you have - on a basic level, whether it’s electric or gas-powered. At Golf Cart Depot, we’ve put together this brief guide to help you keep your cart looking and performing like new, so you can focus on taking those few swings off your golf game, or finally losing that handicap. And if you’re in the market for a new cart, or you need gear or accessories for your current cart, come see us in Land O’Lakes or Clearwater, Florida, and our experienced sales team will help you find what you need. We also serve customers in St. Petersburg and Lakeland.

Electric Cart Service Tips

If you have an electric cart, then the first thing you need to service is the battery. As when you’re doing any maintenance or service around electric components, it’s critical that you wear protective gear, including gloves and goggles, while you service your vehicle. Remember to turn off the “Tow/Maintenance” switch before you get to work. 

When your electric cart is new, don’t just go riding it around and running down the battery. Before you hop in, fully charge the battery, and then monitor the speed at which the battery drains while you’re driving it. That measurement can help you determine your battery life, and that’s an important benchmark for later comparison if you’re worried your battery has lost power or charge. Test your battery from time to time using a hydrometer to check its performance. 

A hazard of electric golf cart batteries is corrosion by battery acid. This corrosion is caused by the hydrogen gas, water, and acid released while the battery is being charged. If these substances aren’t cleaned off on a regular basis, you’ll have corrosion on your engine components. To clean the battery, use a teaspoon of baking soda dissolved into a cup of hot water, using an old toothbrush or other brush to scrub it onto the battery’s terminals. Rinse with cool water and wipe the battery until the terminals are clean. 

You also need to be sure that your battery’s water levels remain full, but not overflowing. The best thing to do is to fill the battery’s water when the battery has been charged, and always use distilled water in your battery. 

Gas Cart Service Tips

If you have a gas-powered golf cart, you’ve got a lot of other things you need to focus on. Most gas carts use an ‘on-demand’ engine, which means that the engine shuts off when you take your foot off the gas, thus saving you fuel and wear on the engine. To make sure your engine is in top condition, you need to check fuel levels, address leaks, ensure battery cables have no fraying and are properly connected, and check the distributor cap for moisture - if you see any, you should dry it out completely. Also keep an eye on your spark plugs and air filter, and check the fuel lines for cracks.

Check the solenoid, which is crucial for starting your engine. Get a voltmeter to verify that the electricity flowing from the ignition to the engine is sufficient - a weak reading means you’ll have weak start-ups, which can damage your golf cart’s battery.

You should also check your brakes, making sure your springs are clean and well-lubricated, that your brake shoes have at least 1mm of material and an even wear pattern, and check for squeaks. Finally, check your tires - make sure they’re properly inflated, but not over-inflated, and check your tread to make sure it’s not too low or bald. 

These are just a few key tips for maintaining your golf cart, and we hope this information has helped you understand how to keep your cart operating in top condition. When you’re ready to buy a new cart, or you need gear or accessories for your current cart, we’ll be happy to help you out - come see us at Golf Cart Depot in Land O’Lakes or Clearwater - also serving customers in St. Petersburg and Lakeland.