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When you own a golf cart, it's essential that you keep it well maintained so that you can use it for as long as possible. As is the case with all vehicles, golf carts will degrade over time unless you actively maintain them. You never want to find that your golf cart won't start when you need it to. By utilizing the following checklist of maintenance tips and guidelines, you'll be able to keep your golf cart in prime condition, ensuring its long-term health.

Golf Cart Maintenance Tips for Winter

The type of maintenance required on your golf cart depends primarily on the season. What you need to do during the winter is entirely different than the maintenance that's necessary during the warmer spring and summer months. Winterizing your golf cart is necessary once the fall season is at an end so that it will remain in good condition while in storage. Even when not in use, golf carts can quickly degrade during the wintertime unless you take some precautions.

If you have an electric golf cart, the most important aspect of winterizing the vehicle is to keep the battery in prime condition and make sure that it survives the winter. Before placing your cart in storage, charge the battery to full power, as this reduces the chances that the battery will freeze over the winter. The battery should also be cleaned so as to reduce the buildup of corrosion. This can be accomplished with a simple hosing down of the battery and its racks. Spraying the battery with additional substances such as acid neutralizer and anti-corrosion gel will extend the life of your battery.

Once you're finished winterizing the battery, make sure that your tires are inflated to a PSI level of anywhere from 20-25, as a deflated tire will eventually lead to an instance where the sidewall cracks, which either requires costly repairs or buying an entirely new tire. Since you won't be using the cart while it's in storage, your maintenance requirements are somewhat lessened in comparison to the spring and summer checklist.

Golf Cart Maintenance Tips for Spring and Summer

Once you've taken the golf cart out of winter storage, you'll want to make sure that it's ready for the next golf season. Check the PSI in your tires and inflate to the level mentioned in your owner's manual. You should also take a look at the tires and rims to inspect them for any excessive damage. Next, it's time to inspect the cart's suspension. First, you need to check underneath the cart for any oil leakage, which would be coming from the strut. If you notice any loose or missing hardware in this area, make sure to get it replaced. If the bushings have been worn down, these should be replaced as well.

You should also check the electric components of your golf cart. Make sure that the speed controls work properly and that reverse warning buzzer operates as it should. When you're inspecting the steering, the wheel should never feel loose. If it does, you'll want to get it checked out. The battery should be checked again for any signs of corrosion and the brake pads and cables should be inspected for any excessive wear and tear.

If you have a gas golf cart, the gasoline engine will need to be inspected every six months and certain parts should be replaced occasionally. Replace spark plugs every three years, the fuel and air filters annually, and the drive belt anytime you inspect it and find cracks or missing chunks. If you follow these checklists, you'll extend the life of your cart and avoid costly repairs.

Golf Cart Cleaning Tips

It is advisable to give your cart a good rinse constantly. You should give it a thorough cleaning that includes even the batteries. Water will not affect the vehicle if it is turned off. The only thing that you should avoid is the dashboard area or where there are any electronics. Some corrosion is likely to occur on the battery terminals when it is used continuously. You can get rid of this by getting them wet and adding a bit of baking soda. A toothbrush may come in handy if you want to scrub the corrosion off.

Golf Cart Brake Maintenance

The brakes are one of the most important components of the cart. You can place a jack at the bottom rear end of the car and lift it up to check if they are okay. You can remove the wheels after making sure that it is supported. You can easily check the thickness of the pads after doing this. You can use a blower to blow out any dust that has settled on the brakes.

Screws and Bolts

It might be time to check visible screws and bolts if the golf cart starts to sound squeaky or gives off a funny noise. You should go over them and make sure that they are tight.

DIY Gas Golf Cart Tips

A gas golf cart works like a typical car. You are likely to face some of the issues that you get with your car. It’s a good idea to pull the dip stick and check oil every so often. We also recommend inspection the air filter to be sure its clean. We usually recommend once a year to go ahead and change the oil and filter.

Golf Cart Spark Plug Service

You may have a hard time starting the cart if the spark plugs are not clean. It is also good to make sure that they are spaced apart well. The wires could get fried if they come into contact.

Electric Golf Carts Batteries

Winter is not the season for golf. Most people leave their carts in their garages. It is important that you keep them charged during the cold season. It is Important to note that lead acid batteries need to be stored when they are charged. It is possible to cause serious damage to the batteries if they are stored for a long time without charging. One of the effects is that the batteries might not be able to charge normally. The battery level could be very low that it is not able to activate charging.

A solution to this is to find another cart that has a battery with the same voltage as yours. You can then connect the two with jumper cables and then connect the charger. This will fool the charger into thinking that the battery pack is charged and allows charging to resume. It is important to be cautious when doing this because you might damage the electronics with too much power.

DIY Golf Cart Charger Tips

The issue lies with the battery whenever you feel like your golf cart is not performing well most of the time. The golf cart might be taking too long to charge to full capacity in some cases. You should try and check the state of your charger from time to time. The current should range between 15 and 20 amps when the cart is charging. The charger might have an issue if it does not fall within this range.

Owning an E-Z-GO has never been more affordable!

E-Z-GO has partnered with Sheffield Financial to provide fixed, straight, installment loans for purchases of E-Z-GO vehicles. Sheffield offerings valid through May 31st include:

• • 0% interest rate for 48 months
• • 1.99% interest rate for 36 months
• • 5.99% interest rate for 60 months ($4,000 Min)

This is a cool video demonstrating some of the new and great features for the 2017 Yamaha QuieTech Golf Car. Stop by the showroom to test drive yourself. We have them in stock!

ELECTRIC GOLF CARS AND LEAD-ACID BATTERY CARE

A short check-list of how to take care of your electric golf car and its batteries, prepared by RMI Golf Carts, Olathe, Kansas.

Batteries: “RMI’s Rules of Battery Maintenance”

Rule #1: “Keep’ em Clean”  Keep the top of the battery cases clean and dry.  Sprinkle some baking soda on the cases and rinse them off when dirty with hose water; clean the green corrosion off the battery posts and cables with a wire brush whenever corrosion starts to form.  Treat the posts with spray terminal protector, not “AXLE GREASE”. 

Battery Cables:  It is very important to remove corrosion and keep the cable connections tight and a clean terminal with a tight connection is critical to the efficient and safe operation of your golf cart.  You should check the battery cable connections on the top of the batteries each month when you water your batteries.  Remove any corrosion, replace any damaged cables, and tighten the nuts on the cable terminals.

Rule #2: “Keep’ em Watered”   Although they need significantly less maintenance than automobiles, golf carts still require a certain amount of upkeep.  You may not realize it, but your golf cart batteries require maintenance throughout their life to keep them running reliably.  One integral aspect of this maintenance is battery watering. Unless you have a sealed battery, you should check the water level of your battery at regular intervals, usually about once a month, to ensure it is within the recommended range.  DO NOT let the electrolyte level fall below the top of the “plates” inside the cell!

Use distilled or reverse-osmosis filtered water if at all possible, to remove harmful minerals from the water you put into the batteries.  Using non-distilled water results in a buildup of minerals in the batteries that can negatively affect performance and lifespan.  Do your final water level check after the batteries are charged, and only fill to 1/8” below the bottom of the neck of the filler cap opening.  Over-filling causes the electrolyte to be ejected through the battery caps on to the top of the battery case. Throughout their lives, electric vehicle batteries may use up to a full 16 quarts of water.  Also, to avoid corrosion keep the plates from being exposed to the air.  For best results, clean all vent caps before replacing them.  Be sure they are tightly secured into place.  Under normal conditions you will never need to add acid. 

Rule #3: “Don’t let em Freeze”   This means keeping the batteries charged.  A fully-charged set won’t freeze until the temp falls to -92F.  A discharged set will freeze at 19F above.  The best care for an electric golf car is to play at least one round of golf every month.  If you cannot take your golf car out in the winter, check you charger every 30 days for a “green light”, and force a charge cycle by unplugging the charger from the car and plugging it back in.  Make sure your “run-tow switch” is on tow whenever the car is not in use. 

Charging Frequency:  “Charge your car Three Times!”  With modern fully-automatic chargers, your batteries like to be charged, and there is little danger of over-charging your batteries.  Charge your electric car three times:  “SOON, OFTEN… and at EVERY OPPORTUNITY!”  Lead-acid batteries do NOT have a “memory!”.  When you get a chance, “double charge” your batteries – run a second charge cycle before using your car.  Manufacturers call it “equalization charging,” and it forces a full charge on every cell. (Normally the charger shuts down when the battery pack meets specifications, and one or more cells are left under-charged).  If you can “equalize” once every month, you are “getting it done!” 

Undercharging – Leaving the golf car inactive for over 2 months will reduce the battery life.  Continually operating the battery in a partial state of charge, or storing the battery in a discharged state result in the formation of lead sulfate compounds on the plates.  Sulfating reduces the battery’s performance and may cause premature battery failure.

Under-Watering – In a deep cycle lead acid battery, water is lost during the charging process.  If the electrolyte (water/acid) level drops below the top of the plates, irreparable damage may occur, as the plates will get hot, warp and crack leaving the battery weak and inefficient.  Water levels should be checked and maintained routinely. 

Over-Watering - Excessive watering of a battery results in dilution of the electrolyte, overflow, reduced battery performance, and unnecessary maintenance which may be messy and damage the floor.

New Batteries: “Season” with care! – New batteries like to be “seasoned” if possible.  If you can, just play nine holes before charging.  Repeat for several days.  (We know this will be a hardship)  And then play no more than 18 before charging, for as many times as possible.  Always charge your batteries after play.  The batteries will get better and better “run time” capacity for the first 50-100 charge cycles.  Finally, remember to bring your golf car in at least every two years for a “discharge test”, which will often detect a faulty battery before you have to replace the full battery set.

Choosing a Golf Cart: Gas versus Electric Power

If you're in the market for a golf cart, one of the first decisions that you'll need to make is the choice between gas and electric power. While both models will get you across the green, one may suit your style or budget more than the other, so you'll need to consider the pros and cons of each type to make a fully-informed purchase decision.

But what if you've never bought a golf cart before? How can you be sure which features are better or cheaper than others? What should you look for in terms of power, performance and precision?

If you're new and confused in the world of golf carts, consider this your comprehensive guide to gas versus electric power.

How do they work?

Gas-powered golf carts run on combustion engines. These engines are usually four-stroke, but older models might use two-stroke instead. They're fueled with regular gas like any car or truck.

Electric golf carts run on battery cells. Most of them are 36-volt or 48-volt. The batteries need to be regularly recharged to keep the cart going.

Price difference between electric and gas golf carts

It's difficult to give a price range for golf carts since there are so many factors that go into their cost, but speaking very generally, used gas-powered carts are more expensive than electric ones.. They're also harder to find good used gas carts since there are fewer of them coming back in on trades.

On the flip side, electric carts can be cheaper depending on the condition of the batteries. At RMI Golf Carts, we sell every used golf cart with a set of brand new batteries. We are unique in that aspect. Many of our competitors will sell used carts with used batteries. That’s something to be mindful of when shopping

Think carefully about your budget before you decide on your chosen golf cart. The decision that you make today could have a big impact on your expenses tomorrow.

Strength and durability of each golf cart

This too also depends on make and model. The common thought with most first time buyers is gas carts are more powerful than electrics. This can be true when looking at the older 36v carts, however the newer 48v carts, specifically the Yamaha and EZGO AC Electric carts have a ton of power and will actually pull hills just as well, or even better than many gas carts.

Pollution from golf carts

Gas-powered golf carts run on traditional fuel and produce carbon monoxide emissions. They do have a “gas smell” especially in confined area like a garage or shed. A lot of the newer gas models do a better job of routing exhaust and minimizing the gas smell.

Electric golf carts, on the other hand, produce no fumes or emissions. They run on rechargeable batteries that don't harm the surrounding environment. They're the "green" option for buyers concerned about their carbon footprint. When it comes to eco-friendliness, electric golf carts have a clear edge over gas ones.

Noise level of each golf cart

Electric golf carts accelerate quickly and quietly. They make very little noise on the green, so they're an attractive option for golfers who don't like to announce their presence on every hole.

Gas-powered golf carts are relatively noisy. Newer models are better in this regard than older ones, but even a high-tech gas vehicle can only muffle so much of the combustion engine's natural rumble. If noise level is an important concern of yours, you'll probably want to avoid a gas-powered golf cart.

Golf cart maintenance

All golf carts require regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly, but the type and duration of this upkeep will vary depending on your cart's model, brand, size and power source.

Gas-powered golf carts need things like oil changes and replacement parts. You might need to repair anything from a spark plug to a starter belt, and if you aren't able to DIY it, you'll be on the hook for both labor and material costs. Gas carts also require a steady stream of fuel, and that will cost you every time that you're at the pump.

Electric golf carts require charging. Golf Carts need to be charged after every single use. If the cart is not being used regularly then they should be charged every few weeks. We normally don’t like going over a month without a good charge on the batteries. All electric carts do come with a charger. However, batteries will need replacing at some point. Again, this varies on usage and maintenance. Most of our customers get on average 4-5 years out of a set of batteries before they will need to be replaced. Finally the most important thing for maintenance on an electric cart is checking the water on the batteries. It’s a good habit to check the water level in the batteries once per month. Do this year around if possible! Doing this will significantly increase the life on the battery pack!

Miscellaneous considerations

Gas-powered golf carts can come with a fuel gauge that will let you know when you're running on empty. Electric carts don't always offer a battery gauge like this, though they can be purchased and installed as an extra.

Some electric golf carts are "street legal." They can be driven on roads and boulevards with speed limits less than 30-35 miles per hour.

With the purchase of any golf cart, it's important to look at their features and functions to ensure that you're making the right choice. How many passengers can sit comfortably? How much storage space do you have for your clubs? Does the cart's aesthetic match your personality?

Finding the right golf cart for you

Gas-powered golf carts are strong, steady operators. Electric golf carts are more convenient to use and better for the environment. There's no right or wrong answer when deciding which of these sounds more appealing to you; it all depends on your personal needs and preferences. No matter what you're looking for in a golf cart, just make sure that you give the matter plenty of thought before pulling out your credit card! 

Please feel free to reach out to us anytime with any questions!

E-Z-GO is now offering an extended warranty program on New Freedom Gas RXV and TXT Models. Freedom's come with a standard 36 month warranty. Now, you can purchase a 12 month extended warranty for a cost of $499. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does the E-Z-GO Extended Warranty cover? A. The E-Z-GO Extended Warranty covers the repair or replacement of factory-installed drive train parts, including engine, CVT drive system, and transaxle.

2. When does coverage begin? A. Coverage under the E-Z-GO Extended Warranty begins when manufacturer’s warranty term has expired. For example, on a Valor, manufacturer’s warranty is 12 months from vehicle registration. With a 12 month E-Z-GO Extended Warranty, coverage begins in the 13th month and lasts through the 24th month from vehicle registration.

3. What happens if a customer sells or trades their vehicle? A. The E-Z-GO Extended Warranty is not transferable to a new owner.

4. If modifications are made to the vehicle, will the E-Z-GO Extended Warranty still cover the vehicle? A. Any modifications or alterations made to the vehicle that go beyond any E-Z-GO Genuine Parts and Pro-Fit® accessories are not covered under the E-Z-GO Extended Warranty.

5. Is the E-Z-GO Extended Warranty accepted at all dealerships? A. Yes, all E-Z-GO authorized dealers will accept the E-Z-GO Extended Warranty.

6. When can the E-Z-GO Extended Warranty be purchased? A. The E-Z-GO Extended Warranty can only be purchased within 30 days of vehicle registration.

7. Can this be sold in commercial applications? A. No. The E-Z-GO Extended Warranty is not for commercial customers.

Bad Boy Buggies has just announced an excellent rebate promotion good through the end of July. Take advantage of this program white qualifying models last! As always, you can take advantage of financing on any of these Great Bad Boy Models. 

Please contact us for any questions.