Golf Cart Maintenance

Whether you own one or several golf carts, they are like every other motorized vehicle: they need to be taken care of and serviced if they’re going to last and give you your money’s worth. You can perform regular maintenance yourself to save a few extra trips to the service department, or spot any problems before they get out of control. But here at Richmond Equipment, we know no matter how well you take care of your golf carts, you’ll eventually need to take them in for work. Visit us to find out more about what we can do for you. We serve Houston, Beaumont, Victoria, and San Antonio, Texas.

Check Before you Go

While it’s not the same as breaking down in your car, you don’t want your golf cart to stop working while you’re out on the course. Make sure you perform maintenance ahead of time to avoid catastrophes and ruined days.

Consider making a checklist that will remind you when it’s time to inspect your golf cart and what you should be looking out for. This should include checking the tires and suspension. You’ll also want to keep an air pressure gauge in your possession and check the underside of the cart twice a year or so. To keep your gears working properly, you’ll want a grease gun on hand.

Safety

Whenever you work on your golf cart, make sure you’re wearing proper protective gear. This is especially true for when you work on your battery. Wear protective clothing, gloves, and goggles. Also, make sure your cart is secure and won’t be moving around as you work on it. And always consult an owner’s manual before making repairs or performing maintenance. The manufacturer might recommend specific needs for your vehicle.

Electric Golf Carts

There are two basic types of golf carts: electric and gasoline. For electric golf carts, you’ll want to make sure the battery and cable connections are extra clean, so check for and remove any debris and dirt that may get in the way. You should also clean the terminals regularly (while wearing gloves and using a mixture of baking soda and water). Keep your battery charged and check battery acid levels if you have an older battery. Switch out your battery if it looks like it’s reached the end. Also, you’ll want to make sure you’re using a 15 amp charging cord. Anything lighter, and you’ll risk starting a fire in your cart.

Check electrolyte water levels at least once a week, and if you need to top it off, only use distilled water. You also might want to get in the habit of regularly checking your charger. It should read 15-20 amps while charging. If it’s less than that, you might have a problem.

Gas Golf Carts

One aspect of a gas golf cart you’ll need to be aware of is the solenoid that runs from the ignition to the engine. If it’s not working, your cart won’t run. To check it, you’ll need to take a voltmeter and attach it to both the solenoid terminal and the grounding terminal. Turn the key in the ignition while pressing on the accelerator. The voltmeter should show a current passing through, but if there is no clicking sound to go with it, you might need your solenoid checked.

Along with this, you’ll want to inspect your spark plugs periodically to make sure they’re clean and properly spaced out. You’ll also want to check fuel filters, air filters, and the drive belt.

Exterior Care

As a general rule, clean debris and dirt off the cart as often as you can. They can affect the steering, pedals, and even the engine. Also, consider investing in a cover to protect it from the elements when it’s not in use. You might also use wax to keep the paint from fading and a fabric or leather protector for the seats, depending on the material they’re made from.

These are just the basics to get you started on your regular golf cart maintenance schedule. Depending on your make, model, and style, you may need to adjust these suggestions to fit your needs. And there will be times when you need some friendly advice to take proper care of your cart before you accidentally do irreversible damage. For all advice and parts and service, talk to our experienced staff at Richmond Equipment, serving Houston, Beaumont, Victoria, and San Antonio, Texas.