Last Updated on March 14, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
Regular golf cart maintenance is essential if you own an electric golf cart. I am an owner of a Club Car Precedent which I use in my golf cart community both recreationally and playing a round of golf. In order to avoid costly repairs, it is essential to perform preventative maintenance. It should be mentioned that golf cart parts are expensive. With that said, the need to replace parts is less frequent when following the manufacturer’s recommendations as far as maintenance is concerned. A golf cart maintenance checklist comes in handy. However, you’ll also want to check off everything on this this comprehensive checklist.
Monthly Electric Golf Cart Checklist:
- Inspect and remove corrosion from battery terminals and cables.
- Top up the batteries with distilled water if necessary.
- Dry the tops of the batteries after topping up.
- Clean the battery tops to remove dirt and debris.
- Ensure the nuts holding the cables are snug.
- Apply grease to the fittings to maintain smooth operation.
- Test the running and brake lights to ensure they are functioning properly.
- Apply anti-corrosion spray to the battery terminals to prevent future corrosion.
- Check for tire wear and inspect for any signs of damage.
- Take an overall look over the golf cart from bottom to top, checking for any visible issues or abnormalities.
Remove Corrosion For Battery Terminals And Cables
In the event that you see corrosion on your battery terminals and cables it must be removed. I recommend wire brushing the corrosion away until it is completely removed. Once the corrosion is removed, apply an anti corrosion spray to reduce the likelihood of it reforming again.
Top The Batteries With Distilled Water
No matter if your deep cycle batteries have a watering system or you fill them with a funnel, it is important to keep them topped off with distilled water. Importantly, if you own a cart with a lithium ion battery, it will not require water to be added.
Snug The Battery Terminals
Part of the maintenance schedule should include snugging the battery terminals. I recommend using a wrench of the appropriate size to avoid damaging the nuts. However, do not allow the wrench to make contact between positive and negative terminal ends.
Inspect The Tires
The tires are prone to wear and tear. I have had alignment issues with my cart, which caused uneven tire wear. Inspect for tire wear and check tire pressure. Add air as needed. Remember, low tire pressure is also a culprit of tire wear.
Importance Of Keeping Your Electric Golf Cart In Good Working Order
Without question, there are a multitude of reasons why an electric golf cart should remain in good working order. Here is a breakdown of the primary reasons that you should follow a golf cart maintenance checklist on a monthly basis.
Less Likely To Breakdown
As a golf cart owner the last thing you want is to deal with a broken down cart. I previously owned an older model EZ-Go golf cart that had frequent issues with the battery terminals. The cart was often being looked over by a trained technician at the golf cart service center.
No matter if they are newer models or older models, golf carts still require routine maintenance. Proper maintenance will help reduce the likelihood of breaking down, causing you to be stranded on the side of the road or on the golf course.
Improved Performance
Taking a proactive approach will lessen the chances of having reduced performance. Keeping up with maintenance tasks increases the battery life in terms of lifespan and time between charges.
Decreased performance of an electric golf cart will be noticeable and can lead to a more significant problem. A more significant problem is the need to shell out money to replace the lead-acid batteries sooner than necessary because they were improperly cared for.
Higher Resale Value
Keeping your cart in good condition has a positive impact on resale value. Regular maintenance checks keep the cart in top condition. I sold my EZ-Go golf cart for more money than I had purchased the cart years earlier. In some cases, when owning an electric golf cart, professional attention is required. Remember, getting more money for your old cart will lessen the burden when purchasing a new golf cart.
FAQ’S
Are Electric Golf Carts High Maintenance?
When comparing a gas golf cart to an electric golf cart, electric golf carts are lower in maintenance. The most important aspect of owning and maintaining an electric golf cart is properly caring for the batteries. Following the checklist will maximize the lifespan of your electric golf cart.
What Kind Of Water Do You Put In Golf Cart Batteries?
Without question, keeping the battery water level correct is critical. However, the lead plates beneath the fill caps have to be filled with the proper type of water. Only fill lead acid batteries with distilled water. Under no circumstances should you add tap water to the batteries.
Are Electric Golf Carts Expensive To Maintain?
The primary expense of owning an electric golf cart is replacing the batteries. Regular preventive maintenance will maximize the lifespan of the batteries so they do not have to be swapped out prematurely. Keep in mind, the month-to-month maintenance schedule costs little to no money if you’re doing the work yourself.
Use The Golf Cart Maintenance Checklist
In conclusion, avoid wondering if you’re following the necessary steps to maintain your golf cart. Remember, maintenance can be performed at your home; professional service is not required.
Keep up with routine inspections on a monthly basis. There is no perfect time to follow the checklist. However, following it each month is a must.
Remember to put the golf cart in “tow mode,” ensure that the brake is set, and remain safe by wearing gloves and eye protection. I use this checklist each and every month, and it has kept my Club Car in good working order to keep me out on the golf course. Let us know if the checklist helped you.
