Buying a golf cart is a big, costly decision that requires a lot of research beforehand. The most common question buyers ask is; how long do golf carts last?
The average lifespan of a gas or electric golf cart is 5-8 years. However, with proper maintenance, it can last for an even longer period of time. A well-maintained golf buggy can last up to 10, 20, or even 40 years!
In this article, we’ll discuss golf cart life expectancy, how to maintain them, and much more!
Table of Contents
How Long do Golf Carts Last?
Whether you choose an electric or gas golf cart, the typical life expectancy is roughly 5-8 years. However, a golf cart’s life expectancy depends on a variety of factors.
Some of these include:
- The golf cart brand
- How well the vehicle is maintained
- The battery’s lifespan
- The engine’s lifespan
- The durability of the golf cart frame
Some people have had their golf carts for over 10 years. Others have had them for 20 years. Most manufacturers claim that with proper maintenance, a golf cart can last up to 40 years!
How Can I Maintain My Electric Golf Cart?
Electric golf carts are considered easier to maintain than gas golf carts. Not only that, but they’re also quieter on the road and environmentally friendly. To extend the life of your electric golf cart, there are several things you can do.
1. Charge Your Golf Cart Properly
The most important part of an electric golf cart is, of course, its batteries.
Whether you’re using your golf cart or not, you should charge it every 3-4 weeks. If you don’t charge your golf cart correctly, it’ll not only lose power but also damage the batteries over time.
A standard charging cycle might take anywhere between four to eight hours, depending on how low your batteries are.
Note: Before charging your golf cart, make sure you’re familiar with all of the safety tips to avoid any mishaps.
2. Clean Your Batteries and Terminals
Another thing you should do often is checking on your terminals. Make sure all of your cart’s terminals are free of any acid buildup or corrosion.
You can use an old toothbrush to scrub your battery cases from any dust, dirt, or debris. Then, hose them down. After you clean all the terminals, grab a wrench and tighten them.
Finally, use anti-corrosion spray to ensure your terminals are clean and rust-free. Regularly doing so will undoubtedly extend the life of your batteries.
3. Water Your Batteries
Watering your batteries is essential in boosting their lifespan. After charging the batteries, use distilled water to water them.
Note: Do not use tap water. It contains minerals that cause buildup, which leads to sulfation. This has a detrimental impact on the performance and longevity of your battery.
Do a water check once a month to ensure that it’s at the correct level.
How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Last?
The short answer is that it depends. Aside from maintenance, usage is also a major factor.
A fleet golf cart, for example, is undoubtedly more used than a private golf cart. A fleet cart is used for 2-3 rounds of golf per day, while a private golf cart is used for 3-5 rounds per week!
Having said that, fleet cart batteries typically last 4-6 years whereas private cart batteries last 6-10 years. These numbers only refer to well-maintained batteries.
How Can I Maintain My Gas Golf Cart?
Even though electric and gas golf carts have nearly the same lifespan, they require radically different maintenance. There are several things you can do to extend the life of your gas golf cart.
1. Change Your Engine Oil Regularly
The most crucial thing to maintain in a gas golf cart is the engine.
Like any other gas-powered vehicle, a gas cart engine requires regular oil changes. The engine produces heat while it runs. However, too much heat is bad for the engine.
Oil changes ensure there’s enough lubrication in your engine to prevent overheating. They also clean your engine of any dirt and debris which can cause it to run slower.
2. Change Your Filters and Spark Plug
Another way to maintain your gas golf cart is to replace the fuel, oil, and air filters as well as the spark plug.
The purpose of changing your filters is to prevent clogging, dirt accumulation, and contamination on the engine. These things can seriously damage the engine and shorten its lifespan.
You should change the filters and spark plug every year.
How Long Does a Golf Cart Engine Last?
A standard gas golf cart engine has a long lifespan, often 20 to 30 years. However, this only applies to engines that are properly maintained. If not, they only last about half as long.
This is because engines work extremely hard and need extensive, frequent maintenance.
General Golf Cart Maintenance Tips
Whether you have a gas golf cart or an electric one, these general maintenance tips will help your cart live longer and perform better.
1. Clean Your Golf Cart
With frequent usage, your golf cart is bound to get dirty. Using products like soap, aluminum cleaner, disinfectant wipes, and a microfiber towel are guaranteed to keep your vehicle sparkling clean.
2. Check on Your Tires
You should inspect your tires once a week. This allows you to determine whether the air pressure in your tires is low.
A weekly inspection helps save your tires from wearing out too soon.
3. Check on the Brakes
Without a doubt, brakes are an extremely crucial component in any vehicle. Because most people don’t drive golf carts at high speeds, the brakes last for a relatively long time.
However, it’s crucial to inspect your brakes once a year and make any necessary adjustments.
Final Thoughts
Everyone can agree that having a golf cart is a lot of fun, both on and off the course. They save you the walk while also being more environmentally friendly.
However, there are things to take into consideration before purchasing a golf cart, such as how long golf carts last.
In this article, we discussed golf cart life expectancy, maintenance, and more.
