ASK THE MECHANIC

Q: What are some things I should look for when buying a gas golf cart? A: The most important thing to look at on a gas golf cart is the engine. You want to inspect it carefully and look for any wear or leaks. Inspect the wiring and look for any lose connections, wear, melted or damaged wires.

If additional accessories are installed like headlights, brake lights, and turn signals, check those wiring connections as well.

Take the golf cart on a test drive as that will often times tell you a lot about the cart. If you have a rough ride or hear noises from the suspension or tire areas, inconsistent throttle or breaking response, there could be a much bigger issue. last approximately 3000-4000 hours before any major repairs are needed. Without proper maintenance, this could be significantly less.

Electric carts will last much longer then gas carts as they require less moving parts. If you change the batteries every 4-5 years you can easily get 10-years of normal use before any major issues occur with the drivetrain.

Q: What’s the difference between a 36 volt and 48 volt golf carts? A: The 48 volt golf carts use one-third less amperage than 36 volt systems and are more much more efficient. Golf carts with 48 volt systems get longer battery life than golf carts with 36 volt systems and generally can travel 30% further on a full charge.