Seasonal Golf Cart Maintenance Checklist

Your golf cart needs care to run well and stay safe. In Central Florida, the weather can be hard on carts. Hot summers, rainy days, and humid air all take a toll. Masters Golf Cars has been fixing Club Car, Yamaha, EZ-GO, and Advanced EV carts in Ocala, The Villages, and Marion County since 1999. Use this simple guide to keep your cart in great shape all year.

Spring Maintenance

Spring in Marion County and Sumter County means warmer days. People start using their carts more. Time to get your cart ready for busy season. Maybe you want to drive to the Market of Marion on the weekends or head to Spanish Springs for live music.

Spring To-Do List

Check batteries - Look at water levels in lead-acid batteries, clean off any white stuff on the posts, test how much power they hold
Fill tires - Add air to reach 18-22 PSI like the maker says
Test brakes - Make sure they grab well and hold on hills like the ones in Golden Ocala
Check all lights - Try headlights, taillights, and turn signals
Wash your cart - Clean outside and inside, wipe down seats
Add grease - Oil all moving parts like steering and springs

Summer Maintenance

Florida summers are tough on golf carts. It gets really hot in Ocala and The Villages. Afternoon storms hit almost every day. The air is thick with water. Your cart needs extra care in June, July, and August.

Summer To-Do List

Check battery water EVERY WEEK - Heat makes water dry up fast in lead-acid batteries
Watch tire air - Hot roads make tires puff up, so lower the air a bit
Cover when parked - Use a cover that lets air through to stop sun damage
Protect your seats - Put UV spray on vinyl so it does not crack
Look at wires - Humid air causes rust on metal parts and wire ends
Test air conditioning - If your cart has A/C, make sure cold air comes out
Check belts - (Gas carts) Look for cracks from heat

Fall Maintenance

Fall is the best time for a full checkup. The busy winter season is coming. Family will visit for the holidays. You want your cart ready for trips to the World Equestrian Center in Ocala or HITS horse shows. Get it done now before you get busy.

Fall To-Do List

Get a pro checkup - Bring your cart to Masters Golf Cars for a full look-over
Test battery power - Find out if you need new batteries before winter
Check brake pads - Get new ones if they are too thin
Look at tire wear - Bumpy wear means your wheels need to line up
Change oil - (Gas carts) Fresh oil before winter
Clean windshield - Check for cracks before cool weather comes

Winter Maintenance

Florida winters are mild but still matter. Cool air affects batteries. Many snowbirds come to The Villages and OTOW, so cart paths get busy. Some folks travel north and leave their carts at home. Here is what to do either way.

Winter To-Do List

Charge often - Cold makes batteries weaker, so plug in more
Store the right way - If you leave, fill batteries and unplug the black wire
Add fuel saver - (Gas carts) Put in gas stabilizer if storing for weeks
Check rain cover - Test zippers and snaps on your weather shield
Test heater - If you have a heater, try it before a cold snap
Check all lights - Days are short, so you need good lights for evening trips to Lake Sumter Landing

Quick Monthly Checks

No matter what time of year, do these quick checks every month. They only take a few minutes:

Tire air - Use a gauge to check in 2 minutes
Battery posts - Look for white crusty stuff or loose wires
Brakes - Press the pedal and see how it feels
Steering - Check for loose feel or weird sounds
Lights and blinkers - Quick look to see they all work
Mirrors - Make sure they point the right way and stay put

When to Call Masters Golf Cars

Some things you can do at home. Other things need a pro. Bring your cart to our shop on US-441 in Belleview if you notice:

Strange sounds - Grinding, squeaking, or knocking is not normal
Less distance - If your cart does not go as far on a charge, something is wrong
Electric problems - Lights that blink or power that comes and goes
Brake trouble - Mushy pedal, pulling to one side, or grinding sounds
Motor issues - Less power, too much heat, or odd noises
Old batteries - Think about a lithium battery upgrade

Masters Golf Cars offers full repair and service. We fix most carts in one day. We can even pick up and drop off your cart if you live in Ocala Palms, Oak Run, OTOW, or The Villages.