Contractor Tips Blog

Sep
6

3 Tips to Keep Your Electric Golf Cart Running like a Champ

Posted in Golf Carts

Whether you use your electric golf cart for running the course or as personal transportation around your property, you want to keep it in tip-top shape. Maintaining your cart can extend the life of your investment and give you the most value for your money. Doing a few maintenance items can make sure your golf cart is always ready to go. Here are three tips to keep your electric golf cart running like a champ.

Maintain Your Batteries

For electric golf carts, one of the main areas to worry about is your batteries. They are the fuel that powers your cart and they are very expensive to replace. Make sure they are always kept completely charged, are filled with water and receive regular maintenance including cleaning the cables.

Schedule Regular Tune-Ups

Like any vehicle, your golf cart needs routine service to keep it running like it should. Schedule routine tune-ups at your local golf cart dealer as recommended by the manufacturer.

Check Your Brakes and Tires

You may not be speeding down the freeway with your electric golf cart, but you still want to ensure that it is safe. Checking the air pressure on your tires before use is important. You also need regular inspections and maintenance for your brakes to keep them working safely, including replacing brake pads and adding fluid as necessary.

By doing a few key maintenance items you can ensure the safety and reliability of your electric golf cart, helping it last for years before you need a replacement. Talk to your local dealer about maintenance options and bring your cart in for service as needed.

Posted on behalf of:
Top Dog Golf Carts
55055 Hammond Industrial Dr
Cumming, GA 30041
(770) 887-7433

Feb
17

DIY Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Golf Cart Running All Season

Posted in Golf Carts

The last thing you want when you are on the 18th hole or on a backwoods trail is for your golf cart to leave you stranded. Just like any vehicle, your golf cart needs maintenance to keep it running in tip-top condition. Preventive maintenance can help ensure you don’t end up with a dead battery or tire problem when you are outside enjoying your day. Here are some DIY tips and tricks to keep up on golf cart repairs and maintenance to make your vehicle run great all season.

  • Battery maintenance. If you have an electric golf cart, battery maintenance is essential. Without a well-charged battery, your day out on the course could be cut short. Make sure to fully charge after each use and keep your batteries full of water for longer life.
  • Check your tires. Like a car or truck, you want to make sure your tires are in good shape before each outing. While a flat tire or low tread is not as dangerous as on a road vehicle, it still is important to replace them when needed.
  • Keep up with tune-ups. Gas-powered and electric models both need tune-ups. Gas-powered carts need oil changes and similar tune-ups to your car. Electric motors are simpler, but still need maintenance. Check with your local golf cart dealer for tune-up kits you can perform at home, or bring your cart in for routine tune-ups at your dealer.

With a little maintenance on your golf cart, you can avoid having to tow your golf cart off the course or out of the woods. Keep up with preventive care to make your golf cart last all season with no troubles during your outings.

Posted on behalf of:
Top Dog Golf Carts
55055 Hammond Industrial Dr
Cumming, GA 30041
(770) 887-7433

Jan
23

When Is a Good Time to Get a Golf Cart Tune Up?

Posted in Golf Carts

Like any vehicle, golf carts need regular maintenance to keep them in good running condition and to extend the life of the motor. Tune-ups are important, and should be done at least once a year. But is there a better time of year to do a tune-up? Yes and no, depending on how often and when you use your golf cart.

Seasonal Use

Golf carts are used for many activities beyond golf. Many times, this is a seasonal use. If you use your golf cart for a true golfing-mobile, you may only use it in the summer in some climates. For those who have a golf cart for hunting excursions, it may be primarily in the fall. When you only use your golf cart for part of the year, it is best to tune-up at the end of the season before you put it away for storage.

Year-Round Use

If you use your golf cart year-round for personal transportation, golfing or for your business, you can schedule your annual tune-up whenever it is convenient. It doesn’t matter the season, so long as you keep on top of the maintenance. Your local golf cart dealer can perform your tune-up, brake check, oil changes (if needed) and other maintenance for you to save you the trouble of trying to do it all yourself.

Gas and electric golf carts need different types of maintenance and tune-ups, so it is important to check your owner’s manual or talk with your local dealer about a maintenance checklist for your cart. The time of year you get your golf cart maintenance and repairs done is not as important as ensuring it does get completed every year.

Posted on behalf of:
Top Dog Golf Carts
55055 Hammond Industrial Dr
Cumming, GA 30041
(770) 887-7433

Jan
28

Maintenance for Your Golf Cart

Posted in Golf Carts

Like any motorized vehicle, golf carts require routine maintenance to extend the lifetime of the vehicles. Both electric and gas-powered models will need some service performed, although maintenance can be expected to be lower than a car or truck that you use for regular transportation. Staying on top of your maintenance can ensure you will get the most out of your investment into your golf cart. 

Electric Golf Cart Maintenance

For electric carts, maintenance of the batteries is the most important factor. The batteries on these vehicles are expensive to replace, so following the correct charging instructions for your cart is crucial, as well as keeping water levels maintained. A well-maintained golf cart battery can last up to six years, where poorly maintained batteries can die in only a year or two of use. You will also need to perform routine maintenance on the brake system of your golf cart.

Gas-Powered Golf Cart Maintenance

Gas-powered golf carts will need similar maintenance to most vehicles, including oil and filter changes, air filter changes, brake service and spark plug replacement. If you are mechanically inclined, you can do much of this maintenance yourself, or you can bring your cart to your local golf cart dealer for service. For golf carts, most maintenance is based on the hours used instead of the miles driven, so keeping track of hours of use is important. Hour meters are available for golf cart motors to help you keep track of when your motor needs maintenance.

Talk to your local golf cart dealer about what maintenance should be performed on your model of golf cart and how often. Staying on top of maintenance can help your cart last for many years and protect your investment.

Posted on behalf of:
Action Specialty Carts
1891 McFarland Pkwy
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 888-0892

Jan
6

Protect Your Investment with Golf Cart Maintenance

Posted in Golf Carts

Just like any vehicle, your golf or utility cart needs regular routine maintenance to keep it running great. Whether your cart is used every day for your business or only on occasion for recreation, you still need to keep up on servicing the engine. Although golf carts are smaller and simpler than a car or truck, they still require many of the same maintenance services. Some of the maintenance that should be done includes:

  • Oil changes. Just like any vehicle, your golf cart will need oil and filter changes to keep the engine properly lubricated.
  • Battery replacement. Especially on electrical carts, battery maintenance and replacement should be done according to the manufacturer recommendations. Don’t wait to be left stranded with a dead battery out on the course or in the woods before you replace that old battery.
  • Tires and brakes. Have your tires and brakes inspected at least annually for safety, especially for golf carts that have been customized to be street legal.
  • Tune-ups. Make sure you stay on track with your regular engine tune-ups to ensure all your components are functioning properly and all fluids are kept at the right levels. An ounce of prevention is always worth the proverbial pound of cure.

Not sure what your golf cart’s maintenance requirements are? Check your owner’s manual or call your local golf cart retail and service center. Your local golf cart store can give you the standard maintenance expectations for different golf cart models and when they should be performed. To ensure the maintenance is done correctly and meets your vehicle warranty standards, bring your cart to a service center that specializes in golf cart maintenance and repairs.

Posted on behalf of:
Action Specialty Carts
1891 McFarland Pkwy
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 888-0892

Apr
8

Maintaining Your Electric Golf Cart

Posted in Golf Carts

Just like any vehicle, golf carts need regular maintenance to perform at their best. If you own an electric golf cart for personal recreation or for your business, keeping your cart on a regular maintenance schedule will prolong the life and performance of your investment. Some maintenance can easily be done by the owner, while other routine services are best done at a professional golf cart service company.

Basic Golf Cart Maintenance

There are a few basic services that your golf cart will need. For electric carts, battery maintenance is essential, along with normal motor, brake and tire services. Although all makes and models may have different requirements, here are some of the minimum service requirements for most electric golf carts:

  • Batteries. Battery terminals should be checked and cleaned often to stop corrosion. Heavily used golf carts may need their terminals cleaned every week. Batteries should be tested at least once a year, more often for heavier use.
  • Tires. Tire pressure and signs of wear should be checked regularly. Low pressure can lead to premature replacement. Alignment should also be checked about twice a year.
  • Brakes and motor. Like any vehicle, your golf cart needs regularly lubrication and replacement of parts as needed for both the brakes and motor. This is best performed by your local golf cart service company as noted in your operational manual for your make and model.

By keeping up on your regular routine maintenance, your golf cart can last for many years. Plan to bring your cart in for service at least once a year for light use, bi-annually for heavy or commercial use.

Posted on behalf of:
Action Specialty Carts
1891 McFarland Pkwy
Alpharetta, GA 30005
(770) 888-0892

Jul
3

How Often Should You Service Your Golf Cart?

Posted in Golf Carts

Just like any other vehicle, a golf cart needs routine maintenance to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. And just like other vehicles, what kind of cart you have depends on what kind of golf cart maintenance plan you should have. 

Gas Golf Cart Maintenance  

  • Check tires periodically for any signs of uneven wear and, if necessary, replace, repair or rotate tires. Tires should be filled at around 20 psi.
  • Check battery routinely for signs of corrosion and clean if necessary.
  • Check all belts annually for wear.
  • Check oil levels routinely. Change oil and filters once a year, twice a year if cart gets heavy use.
  • Change spark plugs yearly.
  • Always use clean, unleaded fuel only and avoid any dirt or water getting into the gas tank as this may harm the engine.
  • Clean exterior of cart monthly, being careful not to get the engine components wet. 

Electric Golf Cart Maintenance 

Besides the charging unit, the battery is the key component of the electric golf cart. Check the battery every 30 days for signs of corrosion and clean if necessary using two tablespoons of baking soda to one gallon of water. Check the battery every three days or so during heavy usage periods to make sure water levels are correct. If not, use distilled water to fill it to the appropriate level.

  • Check tire pressure routinely to make sure pressure is around 20 psi. Look for signs of wear and replace or repair if necessary.
  • Do not overcharge your batteries or let your battery charge run all the way out. Both can affect the operation of your cart.
  • Clean exterior of cart carefully with soap and water.
Jan
4

Custom-Made Golf Carts: A Starter’s Guide

Posted in Golf Carts

Whether you’re a veteran golfer or an amateur, you’ve probably encountered a custom-built golf cart at some point or the other. Custom golf carts have mechanical and body features that distinguish them from standard models.

Reasons for customization

Golf carts may be specially designed and custom-painted for fundraising campaigns, or for event marketing and promotions. Customization may also be a matter of comfort and safety. Many retirees opt to assemble their own golf carts so that they can optimize safety amenities. A custom golf cart can also be a fashion statement. From throwback vintage golf cart designs to futuristic buggies, a stylish custom-made golf cart can be a source of pride, and is sure to garner admiration on the green. Lastly, customization may be done to maximize golf cart performance and prolong service life.

Level of customization

From modest do-it-yourself projects to made-to-order purchases, nowadays all levels of customization are possible for golf carts. One approach is to purchase a standard model and add accoutrements and accessories as time and money permits. There are a broad range of online parts dealers that sell everything from the frame and chassis, to seat covers, tires, and more. The other approach is to have your golf cart tailor-made from scratch, according to your specifications. Using a custom golf cart distributor will often cost less in the long-run and will save you the hassle of having to track down parts and accessories.

The customization process

Customizing your golf cart involves everything from choosing the body style (open air or enclosed? Two-passenger or four passenger?) to refurbishing the motor, to tweaking or brainstorming the interior design.  Browsing golf cart distributor catalogues will give you design ideas and help you pin down the customizations that you want. Whether you are a DIY-er, or using a professional service, it is always advisable to get warranties for any parts you purchase and to use reputable vendors.

Jan
4

Golf Cart Lift Kits Explained

Posted in Golf Carts

It may so happen that a golf cart owner may feel the need to lift the chassis of their golf cart or increase the wheel height. A higher-sitting golf cart has a greater approach angle and breakover angle, making it easier for the cart to clear ridges and inclines when driving. An elevated golf cart also provides more ground clearance for driving over grass, as well as any rocks or standing water on the golf course. Lift kits are aftermarket modifications that can be purchased from a golf cart parts dealer. They are one of the most common golf cart parts and accessories purchased by golf cart owners. Here are some things to consider if you are thinking of purchasing golf cart lift kit.

1)      Type and compatibility

There are two types of lift kits: body lift kits and suspension lift kits. A body lift kit uses lift blocks and spacers placed between the axles and leaf springs to raise the body of a golf cart from its underlying frame. With suspension lift kits, the original leaf springs are replaced with longer, higher ones. Both body and suspension lift kits increase ride hit; suspension lift kits also increase travel and improve articulation. 

There are many brands and models of body and suspension lift kits on the market. Different golf cart models require specific kinds of blocks, spacers, or leaf spring suspensions.  Thus, when installing a golf cart lift kit, it is important to verify the compatibility between the lift kit and the golf cart components (the drivetrain etc.)

2)      Legal issues

In many states, there are laws pertaining to vehicle lift kits. This is because a lift kit can alter a vehicle’s stability and steering geometry thereby affecting the vehicle’s operational safety. Golf carts are categorized as utility vehicles, so find out what the lift kit laws and ride height restrictions are for utility vehicles in your jurisdiction.

3)      Insurance

Always check with your insurance company before you modify your golf cart with a lift kit; not all insurance companies cover vehicles that have been customized or modified in some way.

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