Hot Topic: Best Summer Golf Cart Maintenance Services

06 Jun Hot Topic: Best Summer Golf Cart Maintenance Services

It’s only June, and the relentless Florida heat has already arrived in Southwest Florida. If you’re a golf cart or LSV, (low-speed vehicle) owner who stays in the area year-round, you’ll need to consider some cart maintenance services to help your cart get through the scorching summer months.

At Coastal Carts of Southwest Florida, our highly trained service professionals are ready to keep your cart in top shape with regular maintenance service, either in our service facility or at your location.

Let’s take a closer look at important maintenance services that can add years to the enjoyment of your cart.

Tires – With the extremely high temperatures we experience here, your cart’s tires are a critical component for optimum performance. The heat, coupled with driving in wet conditions after a summer shower, can lead to increased deterioration of the tires’ rubber. Also, severe heat can affect the tire’s air pressure. Always check your tire pressure at regular intervals to make sure they are carrying the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Make a close visual inspection of your tires to check for uneven wear or unsafe tread conditions.

Batteries and Connections – Whether your cart is equipped with newer, lithium-ion batteries or water-filled, lead-acid batteries, the summer heat can wreak havoc on them if not properly maintained. For traditional batteries, checking and maintaining the correct water levels in the cells is a critical maintenance issue. Always try to use distilled water if possible. Take a look at your battery connection terminals and use a firm brush, a bit of water, and baking soda to clean off any corrosion, and make sure the connections are tight and secure. If you do leave your cart stored over the summer while you’re away, it’s a good idea to disconnect your battery terminals until your return. Newer, lithium batteries need virtually no maintenance and can increase your cart’s range, efficiency, and time between charges.

Keep It Clean – Using your cart in the summer means exposing it to extreme sun exposure. Just like your passenger car, your cart needs some protection on the painted body surfaces to prevent fading and blistering paint. Regularly washing your cart with a gentle soap and water mixture and applying a light coat of quality automotive wax will make your cart shine and protect it from the brutal Florida summer sun.

Coastal Carts is ready to make sure your cart is operating efficiently and safely, with a host of service procedures performed by our expert cart technicians:

• PICK UP the cart at your location or on-site service
• CHECK differential grease or transaxle oil
• CHECK rear axle and steering knuckle bearings, bushings, and seals
• CHECK, clean, and adjust drum brakes (if equipped)
• CHECK and adjust tire pressure and rotate tires
• CHECK and adjust front-end alignment
• CHECK electrical system
• LUBRICATE front steering and suspension grease fittings (if equipped)
• LUBRICATE accelerator and other linkages
• PACK front wheel bearings and install new grease seals if necessary
• PAINT critical frame and suspension components if necessary
• REVIEW for applicable factory or dealer warranty or tech alert items
• DELIVER the cart to your location

ELECTRIC cart additional services:

• CHECK battery charger for proper function
• CHECK battery fluid levels and load test
• CLEAN and TIGHTEN battery posts, reapply anti-corrosion coating

GAS cart additional services:

• TUNE-UP including oil change, oil filter, air filter, pre-filter, and spark plug
• CHECK drive and starter belts and fuel hoses
• ADJUST cables and shafts on throttle, choke, and carburetor

Additional parts and labor may be required and will be estimated at the time of service.

Doug Reynolds is General Manager at Coastal Carts and emphasizes that our hot summer months are a critical time of year to stay on top of your cart’s maintenance. “If you have lead acid batteries, keeping them filled correctly with distilled water is a key part of extending their life, and also keeping them charged,” he says. “If you leave your cart here while you’re up north for the summer, I’d recommend our Total Cart Care option where we’ll come to your cart monthly to check the batteries, tires, and overall condition while you’re not here.”

Since 1992, Coastal Cart’s team of dedicated golf cart and EV experts have been helping our customers choose the ideal cart for their needs or customizing their existing cart. We carry carts from Yamaha®, Tomberlin®, ICON®, and EPIC Carts®, each offering extensive lines of different models and configurations designed to meet any requirements from a casual round of golf to transporting multiple passengers in style and comfort or commercial and industrial use.