Golf Cart Maintenance Guide | Extend the Life of Your Cart

Golf Cart Maintenance Guide: Extending the Life of Your Ride

Golf cart on fairway at sunset with trees in background.

Whether you already own a golf cart or are planning to purchase one in the near future, knowing how to care for your cart matters. From gas-powered to electric carts, we’re breaking down some of the most critical maintenance considerations below, along with practical tips for deciding between DIY and professional repairs.

Why Golf Cart Maintenance Matters

Taking care of your golf cart won’t just extend its life, saving you money on repairs and premature replacement, but it could also be a matter of safety. When your golf cart is properly maintained, you can traverse sprawling courses with confidence and minimize the risk of malfunctions.

Daily and Weekly Golf Cart Care

No matter what type of golf cart you sport, there are basic maintenance steps you should be taking regularly.

Daily Tips

Before each trip in your golf cart, give the vehicle a quick once-over to check for any obvious signs of problems, like leaking fluids or low tire pressure. After a day on the course, take the time to clean out any trash that’s been left behind. The last thing you want is to attract rodents or other pests!

Weekly Tips

In addition to checking for leaks and tire problems, plan to test the brakes on your golf cart about once per week. This includes checking not only the function of the brakes themselves but also the brake lights. A quick cleaning of battery connections (with the battery safely disconnected) can also be a great way to avoid corrosion.

Golf Cart Battery Maintenance for Electric Golf Carts

If you have an electric golf cart, the good news is that you won’t ever have to worry about filling up at the pump. Still, there are some essential maintenance considerations regarding battery maintenance and charging.

Charging Best Practices

Golf cart owners should get into the habit of plugging in their electric carts after every use. However, it’s important to avoid overcharging, as this can actually degrade the life of the battery over time. Once your battery is fully charged, take it off the charger and store the vehicle fully charged until you plan to take it back out on the course again.

Watering the Batteries

While it may seem counterintuitive to water a battery, the reality is that golf cart batteries rely on water to maintain the proper electrolyte balance that’s needed for charging. Always refer to your owner’s manual when it comes to adding water to your battery. In general, though, you’ll need to use a funnel and add distilled water slowly to the fill wells, being careful to clean up any spills from the surrounding area when you’re done.

Cleaning the Battery Terminals

Golf cart battery terminals may become corroded over time, which can impact charging. You may be able to remove corrosion by cleaning the battery terminals using a mix of baking soda and water. Be sure to follow proper safety protocols before working on the battery, and consider applying a protective spray or wax to the terminals after you’re done to prevent future corrosion.

Golf Cart Battery Replacement (When and How)

Although a well-maintained golf cart can last for decades, golf cart batteries need to be replaced from time to time.

When to Replace Your Golf Cart Batteries

Check your owner’s manual to find out the approximate lifespan of your golf cart’s battery. From there, if you begin to notice that your golf cart has a shorter run time than usual, slowed acceleration, or needs more frequent charging, then it may be time for a full battery replacement. The same applies if you’ve noticed swelling of the battery itself or excessive corrosion around its terminals.

How to Replace Golf Cart Batteries

Always defer to your owner’s manual before replacing a battery — and if you have any doubt about your ability to swap out the battery yourself, hire a professional for peace of mind.

Generally, however, the basic steps for replacing a golf cart battery include:

Shutting off the cart and disconnecting it from any charging source.

Taking photos of the existing wiring before disconnecting the battery.

Removing the old battery carefully.

Cleaning the battery tray.

Installing the new battery, referring to the photo you took to ensure proper connections.

Testing the new system.

Engine and Fuel System Care for Gas Carts

What if you have a gas-powered golf cart? While you won’t have to worry as much about batteries, you will need to add some other items to your preventative maintenance checklist, including:

Regular oil changes to keep all the moving parts of your cart’s engine running smoothly.

Occasional air filter changes.

Spark plug replacement.

Fuel system maintenance, including fuel line inspections and fuel filter replacement.

Golf Cart Tire Maintenance

No matter if your cart is electric or gas-powered, caring for your tires may prevent you from facing a flat in the middle of the course while maximizing traction on tricky terrain.

Along with making sure your tires are inflated to the proper PSI, you may also want to consider rotating your tires about once every year or two, as this will ensure more even wear. Take time to inspect the tread depth on your tires, too, and don’t put off replacing tires when they become worn.

Golf Cart Brake System Checks

Being able to stop safely on a dime is crucial, especially when driving your golf cart around a busy course. To keep your brake system in check, inspect pads and shoes regularly — replacing parts as they become worn. In addition to doing a quick brake check each time you ride, it’s wise to inspect brake cables for signs of wear (or tampering from a critter).

Golf Cart Electrical System and Lights

You rely on your cart’s electrical system to run critical components, so it’s important to inspect your vehicle’s electrical wiring as part of your comprehensive safety checks. If an electrical component isn’t working properly, always check your fuses first, as these are a common culprit (and easy to swap out). If your cart is equipped with headlights, test them regularly and replace burnt-out bulbs as needed — especially if you do any nighttime driving.

Steering and Suspension Maintenance for Golf Carts

Your golf cart’s suspension takes you over some bumpy terrain, so it’s possible for things to get knocked out of alignment over time. As you drive, listen carefully for any abnormal clunks or squeaks that could indicate poor alignment or suspension problems. In certain cases, the sounds may be remedied by greasing the cart’s fittings. However, if alignment is truly the problem, you may need to head to a trusted repair shop.

Seasonal and Long-Term Storage Tips for Golf Carts

Need to store your golf cart for the off-season? If so, keep in mind the following storage tips for both electric and gas-powered carts:

For Electric Carts

For most electric golf carts, you’ll want to charge your battery completely before disconnecting it for the off-season. If your cart has a “tow mode,” engage this before storing it in a dry and preferably covered area.

For Gas Carts

Gas-powered carts, on the other hand, may require a fuel stabilizer to be added and circulated through the system — but you’ll want to look in your owner’s manual to be sure. In general, it’s also best to disconnect your gas cart’s battery if it won’t be in use for a prolonged period of time. Whenever possible, park your cart in a dry, covered location (or invest in a quality cover that is weather-resistant).

Golf Cart Cleaning and Cosmetic Care

To keep your golf cart looking like new, wash it as needed with a mixture of mild detergent and water. Additionally, you might consider applying a protective wax specifically designed for golf carts. For the interior, occasional vacuuming and a wipe-down with a microfiber cloth should be all that’s needed.

Common Golf Cart Problems to Watch For

Even with regular maintenance, golf carts may experience problems that require your attention (or that of a trusted repair professional). Common signs of problems to watch for include:

Slow acceleration on an electric cart — which could indicate a battery issue.

Hard starting on a gas cart — which might indicate an ignition or fuel system problem.

An uneven ride — which could be caused by something as simple as low air pressure in your tires or something more complex, like suspension issues.

Squeaky brakes — which could tell you that you need new brake pads.

Professional Service vs. DIY Golf Cart Maintenance

Not sure whether you should take your golf cart to a professional or tackle repairs yourself? Ultimately, this comes down to your own level of experience and comfort — yet there are certain tasks that are generally considered DIY-friendly, as well as some that are better to leave to the pros.

DIY-Friendly Tasks

Examples of tasks you may be able to tackle yourself include:

Cleaning batteries, provided that you properly disconnect the battery before working on it.

Checking tire pressure and inflating to the PSI listed in your owner’s manual.

Replacing bulbs or fuses.

Best Left to Professionals

On the other hand, you may want to bring your golf cart to a professional for the following:

Brake replacement, including brake pads and shoes.

Electrical wiring repairs, as improper technique could pose a safety risk.

Engine overhauls on gas-powered carts, which can be extremely complex.

How Often Should You Service a Golf Cart?

While there are basic maintenance tasks you should perform every time you drive your golf cart, like checking tire pressure and brake function, it’s generally recommended to have a comprehensive inspection and tune-up done about once per year. However, the frequency will also depend on how often you drive the vehicle and its age.

Extending the Life of Your Golf Cart: Key Takeaways

With proper maintenance, you can generally expect your golf cart to last for many years with minimal repairs or downtime. The key is to take care of the most critical components, including:

Batteries (especially for electric golf carts)

Engines and fuel systems (for gas-powered carts)

Brakes

Tires

Electrical systems

Suspension

Driven to Expand Your Golf Knowledge?

Taking care of a golf cart may not be as complicated as that dreaded fairway bunker shot — but with so many different components to maintain, it can prove a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, with a little proactivity on your part (and the number of a trusted mechanic), you can keep your cart running smoothly for years to come.

Aiming to advance your knowledge of the great game of golf? It could be time to pursue a degree from Keiser University College of Golf. From our Bachelor of Science in Golf Management to our Master of Science in Golf Teaching and Learning, there’s a program for every golfer here. Get in touch to learn more, or apply now!