Golf Cart Tips

Note: If you purchased an LSV, this DOES NOT apply to you.

Registering your golf cart is simple and essential. Please print out the form available at the link below and follow the instructions provided. The registration cost is nominal at just $5. We have also made a step-by-step video you can watch on YouTube Channel HERE.

SCDMV Website Link

Insuring your golf cart is crucial to protect you in the event of an accident, collision, or theft. We recommend contacting one of our trusted insurance providers for a quote:

• Megan Tufano at Brightway Insurance: (843) 900-0816
• Maureen Kunzmann at Goosehead Insurance: (854) 800-1554
• Jennifer Dasinger at Goosehead Insurance: (854) 222-9761

Lithium Care in Short:

1. Charge the cart after each use. Charging every night will not harm the battery and will ensure that you are always topped off and ready for your next adventure. Topping off or partially charging to extend range is perfectly acceptable. If the cart has not been used in several weeks, we suggest charging the cart before taking it out to balance the lithium cells, and to re-calibrate the % gauge.
2. Avoid running the battery completely dead. Although the BMS protects against detrimental discharge, it is not advised to run your lithium batteries below 20%.
3. When driving your cart, be aware of your state of charge (SOC), just as you would monitor your vehicle’s fuel gauge. The further you are from a charging location, the more battery you should reserve. We also recommend keeping your charge cord with you in case of emergencies.

For more details information, please continue to read…

Initial Charge: When your cart is delivered, fully charge the battery before using your golf cart. This ensures that each cell is balanced and ready for optimal performance.

Avoid Overcharging: Lithium batteries come with a battery management system (BMS) that helps prevent overcharging. Still, it’s good practice to unplug the charger once it’s fully charged to avoid any potential issues.

Optimal Charging Environment: Charge your batteries in a temperature-controlled environment. Ideally, the temperature should be between 32°F and 113°F. Extreme temperatures can affect battery performance and longevity.

Avoid Deep Discharges: Lithium batteries don’t need to be fully discharged regularly. It’s actually better for their lifespan to keep them charged and avoid running them down completely. 

Regular Usage: Use the batteries regularly to keep them active. This helps maintain their capacity and ensures they remain in good working condition.

The battery must be charged at least once every 6 months. Failure to charge for 6 months may permanently damage the lithium cells, and is not covered under warranty.

Proper Storage: If you need to store your golf cart for an extended period, make sure the batteries are charged to around 50% and store them in a cool, dry place. This helps prevent capacity loss and extends the battery’s life​.

Regularly Scheduled Maintenance is recommended every 6-12 months depending on the amount of driving you do. Some cart owners may need it every 3-4 months if it is used instead of a regular vehicle.

We prefer planning your regular maintenance at the time of your cart purchase as to reserve your slot, and make sure your cart remains in tip top shape.

At Joe’s Carts, we pride ourselves on quality and honest work. We also make it a point to exceed expectations, aka under-promise and over-deliver. Our new carts come with extended warranties. To get full details on the warranty of your specific brand of cart, please visit one of the below links:

• ICON EV Carts Warranty
• EPIC Carts Warranty
• GORILLA EV Carts Warranty
• EVolution EV Carts Warranty
• Eco Battery Warranty

Your golf cart’s charger should be plugged into a regular wall outlet (110V). All of our chargers are installed on-board and are automatic chargers meaning it will cut off once the batteries are charged.

Our carts and chargers have indicator lights on them which will indicate the level of current charge the batteries have received.

Lithium Batteries: We recommend fully charging your battery each time you charge them if possible. It is best to go out with a full charge and advisable for long term health of the battery. They can be short charged to add small amounts of charge if limited time is available.

AGM Batteries: It is ALWAYS best to completely charge AGM batteries before unplugging.

All of our new carts come with Maintenance Free Lithium Batteries with a minimum of a 5 year warranty, and up to an 8 year warranty. If you have one of our used or rebuilt carts, you may have Lead Acid Batteries (also known as Wet Cell or Flooded). If you have Lead Acid Batteries, follow the instructions below.

Lead Acid Batteries ONLY

Set a reminder to check your battery levels once per month (or more). Under your golf cart’s front seat, open the tops of each cell in each battery. Check to make sure that the water levels are covering the metal (lead) filaments or about 1/4 inch above the top of the metal filaments. If water is needed, use a funnel and add DISTILLED WATER and pour slowly. Do not overfill the batteries. **Always add water when batteries are FULLY charged. Not applicable for Lithium or AGM batteries.

For AGM or Lithium Batteries, please refer to the sections related to those battery types.

Before you or someone you know takes a golf cart for a drive, be sure to follow the checklist below:

• The golf cart must be insured, permitted, and registered with SCDMV
• The golf cart must remain within 4 miles of an address listed on the SCDMV permit
• The golf cart may be operated on roads with posted speeds of 35 mph or less
• The golf cart may be operated during daylight hours only
• The driver must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license

Keeping your batteries charged is the MOST vital factor to battery longevity. Allowing them to discharge completely is harmful to the battery set. Maintain a habit of charging your batteries after each normal use of 15 minutes or more. DO NOT only rely on the battery gauge % meter on when to charge the cart (they are a good reference only). At the end of each day of use, charge the cart.

In ALL seasons, make sure to still charge it at least once every 2 weeks (even if not using the golf cart). For more, read our “battery break in” recommendations.

ICON, EPIC & GORILLA CARTS
The run-tow switch is located under the front seat. The “TOW/EMB Manual” position of the switch is to be used if you ever need to push, tow, or disengage the brake of your golf cart. 

Please, NEVER push the cart when the switch is in the RUN/ON position. You can ruin your cart doing so. The “OFF/STORAGE” position of the switch is to be used if you are planning to be away from the cart for an extended period of time. 

After returning from an extended time away from the cart, always fully charge the batteries before driving it, as the % gauge will need recalibrating.

NOTE: ICON ECO Carts have the TOW and OFF on the same position of the switch because it does not have an automatic park brake like the others.

EVolution Carts

The run-tow knob is located under the REAR seat of forward facing models, and in between the seats on 2+2 models. Twist it to release the BRAKES and then you will be able to push or tow your EVolution cart.

At Joe’s Carts, we take pride in thoroughly inspecting each golf cart to ensure it meets our high standards.

While we strive for perfection, it’s important to understand that golf carts are designed with a different level of finish compared to regular vehicles, which typically come at much higher price points.

As such, minor blemishes or imperfections may occur during manufacturing or in delivery to us. These are purely cosmetic and do not affect the performance or durability of the cart.