Golf Car Maintenance Tips

We recommend an Annual Preventative Service (APS) on all golf cars to ensure optimum performance!

Tires:

  • Keep tires at ______ PSI. Check tire pressure MONTHLY. Low tire pressure causes uneven tread wear, a poor ride, and puts extra strain on the batteries and motor! Rotate tires annually.

Operating Instructions:

  • On a Club Car Precedent and EZGO TXT, the preferred method for taking off the parking brake is to press on the bottom of the brake pedal, NOT the accelerator. On a Yamaha, you must press the accelerator to release the brake.
  • When not in use, keep the forward/reverse switch in neutral/middle position (for an EZGO TXT, Club Car DS and Precedent, and ICON) and turn the key to the "off" position. If you leave an ICON ignition on, the hour meter will keep accumulating time. Newer Yamahas do not have a neutral position; leave in forward.
  • An EZGO RXV ignition should be left in the off position, not neutral when not in use. If the automatic motor brake needs to be disengaged to push the golf car, turn the ignition to neutral and the run/tow switch in the battery compartment to tow.

Battery Care:

Batteries which are neglected, improperly cared for or overloaded are NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY!

Quality batteries, kept clean, charged and watered, usually last 2-4 years under normal use.

  • Check water level in every cell MONTHLY; insufficient water can ruin batteries. AFTER charging the car, add distilled water to each cell; maintain a level of ¼" to ½" covering the plates. DO NOT OVER FILL, which can cause an overflow of acid onto the battery rack and floor.
  • Keep batteries and cables clean and free of corrosion by regularly spraying with a hose or wiping with a wet cloth. Corrosion can cause a disruption in the electrical system. Use a degreaser as needed (Simple Green, Greased Lightning) or baking soda and water. Apply terminal protector spray on cable ends twice a year.
  • Keep battery cable connections and hold-downs tightened, check MONTHLY.

Charging Tips:

  • Charge car after using it for the day; avoid deep discharge of batteries.
  • Prop up the seat bottom (ex: run a bungee cord through the steering wheel and seat handle) to avoid moisture ruining the seat bottom, during charging.
  • You cannot over charge with an automatic charger. It may take up to 18 hours to fully charge batteries; let the charger run through a complete cycle and shut off automatically. Do not disconnect while the charger is still running.
  • Unplug charger from outlet and golf car when not in use. Power surges and lightening strikes could damage the charger and golf car. CHARGER MUST BE ON ITS OWN DEDICATED CIRCUIT. Do not use an extension cord.
  • Store battery charger indoors to keep dry.

Charger Instructions, by Make and Model:

Club Car 36 volt charger (crows foot plug/2 prong): The ignition should be in the off position. Put the forward/reverse handle in neutral/middle. Plug charger into wall first. Next, push the charger plug completely into the receptacle on the golf car. When charging correctly, the needle on the front of the charger will move to the right to approximately 15-20 amps. The needle will gradually move to the left, towards zero. When completely charged, the needle will be on zero and the charger will shut off.

Club Car 48 volt charger (round plug; ridge must be on top to fit into receptacle): The ignition should be in the off position. Put the forward/reverse handle or rocker switch in neutral/middle. Plug charger into wall first. Next, push the charger plug completely into the receptacle on the golf car. Older chargers have an amp meter needle that will move to the right to approximately 10-15 amps, gradually moving left, towards zero. When completely charged, the needle will be on zero and the charger will shut off. Newer chargers will beep 3 times when the charger is plugged in correctly.

E-Z-GO TXT 36 volt charger (Powerwise, with analog gauge): The ignition should be in the off position. Put the forward/reverse handle or rocker switch in neutral. Plug charger into wall first. Next, push the charger plug completely into the receptacle on the golf car. When charging correctly, the needle on the front of the charger will move to the right to approximately 20 amps, gradually moving left, towards zero. When completely charged, the needle will be on zero and the charger will shut off.

E-Z-GO TXT 36 volt charger (Powerwise QE, with LED light) or 48 volt (Powerwise QE). The ignition should be in the off position. Put the forward/reverse handle or rocker switch in neutral. Plug charger into wall first. Next, push the charger plug completely into the receptacle on the golf car. After about 30 seconds the light on the charger will blink green, which indicates it is charging correctly. A red blinking light indicates there is an error; unplug both ends of the charger and start the process over. When completely charged, the light will be solid green.

EZGO RXV and Elite Lithium charger: The ignition should be in the off position. Leave the run/tow switch in the battery compartment in the run position. Plug charger cord into the wall first. Next, push the charger plug completely into the receptacle on the golf car. On the yellow Q charger, two amber lights will come on. Upon completion, a solid green and an amber light will appear. ICON built in battery charger: The ignition should be in the off position. Put the forward/reverse rocker switch on the dash in neutral/middle. Turn the run/off/manual switch in the battery compartment to the off position. Plug charger cord into the wall first. Next, push the charger plug completely into the receptacle on the golf car. On the yellow Q charger, the lights will increase on the scale, then turn green upon completion.

Yamaha 48 volt (Delta Q) charger: The ignition should be in the off position. Leave the run/tow switch in the battery compartment in the run position. Plug charger into wall first. Next, push the charger plug completely into the receptacle on the golf car. After about 30 seconds the light on the charger will blink green, which indicates it is charging correctly. A red blinking light indicates there is an error. Unplug both ends of the charger and start the process over. When the car is completely charged, the light will be solid green.

NOTE: A trickle charger is NOT recommended and may negate your warranty. A trickle charger can cause the water in batteries to evaporate, causing fatal damage to the batteries.

Cleaning:

  • Windshield: use a vinyl window cleaner (such as Red Max Pro) or furniture polish spray (such as Pledge) with a microfiber towel. Do not use paper towel or Windex.
  • Body: use a spray wax quick detailer with a microfiber towel. Use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to remove scuff marks
  • Seats: with a towel, soft brush or "Mr. Clean Magic Eraser", use a vinyl or leather cleaner/conditioner or "Totally Awesome" (Dollar Store or Dollar Tree) or a spray bleach for especially tough stains. To kill mold or mildew on the seats or enclosures, use "Home Armor Instant Mold & Mildew Stain Remover." The best prevention for mildew and mold is "Dew Not," which can be purchased at Affordable Golf Cars of Venice.
  • Black floor and body trim: use Armor all protectant or ICE (available Wal-mart or auto stores). Wipe off excess.

Seasonal Resident Tips:

If batteries are NOT maintained while you're away, they are likely to be damaged or ruined. Batteries left unattended will negate your battery warranty.

If car will be idle for more than a month:

  • Before leaving, charge car overnight, then add distilled water to batteries. Place the run/tow switch in the battery compartment to tow (for an EZGO TXT, Yamaha, newer Club Car DS and Precedent). An RXV does not need to be placed in tow. (The tow switch on an RXV releases the parking brake when the car is on and in neutral.) An ICON run/off/manual switch should be in the OFF position.
  • Monthly, have someone:
    • Turn the run/tow switch to run. Drive the golf car to avoid flat spots on the tires. Inflate tires to specifications.
    • Charge the golf car
    • Add distilled water to the batteries, if needed, after charging. Maintain a level of ¼" to ½" covering the plates.

When you return to Florida, switch to "run," charge batteries, then add water if needed.

Or, let us store and maintain your golf car while you're away! Space is limited. Call our Service Dept to reserve your spot!

Gas Golf Car Maintenance:

It is recommended to drive the golf car monthly to avoid battery drain. The 12 volt sealed battery charges itself with a starter generator while driving.

Adjusting a governor to increase speed can cause motor damage and negate the warranty.

It is recommended that you have the gas golf car tuned up at least once a year. During the annual preventative service (APS), the following parts will be replaced:

  • Spark plugs
  • Air, fuel and oil filters
  • Oil
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