Like your car, your golf car needs proper maintenance, too. Whether electric or gas, a golf car's small engine needs routine care.  Additionally, you cannot expect your golf car batteries to last indefinitely. 

Other factors affect how long your golf car batteries last, including how much use they see and where they are kept. A gas-powered golf car has only one battery. Electric golf cars typically have four to six batteries, but some may have as many as 8, and it only takes one going bad to stop your car.

Factors Affecting Golf Car Battery Lifespan

Flooded lead acid golf car batteries come with a warranty that is typically 12-18 months. Depending upon the amount of use your golf car sees, you may want to plan to replace your batteries within 3-5 years, or you can wait until your range or speed is not as good as it was when the batteries were new. 

Traditional lead-acid batteries have a much shorter life than lithium batteries, which fuel today's newer golf cars. How often you use your golf car, charging, and maintenance habits will also affect the life of your batteries.

Charging and Maintenance Practices

How you charge your batteries is important. You, of course, need the correct battery charger with the correct algorithm for the brand of batteries you have. Do not use a lead-acid charger for lithium batteries or vice versa.

No matter the type of batteries, you should charge them before they become completely depleted. While an occasional complete battery drain will not likely affect your batteries, repeated depletion will decrease battery life. The best practice is to place your car back on the charger at the end of the day after each use. You should also leave your car on the charger until your next use and do your best not to interrupt the charge cycle.

Undercharging a battery can affect its current flow, and overcharging a battery can shorten its life. Whenever possible, charge your golf car batteries before they fall under 50% of their capacity and only leave them charging until they reach a full charge. Todays smart charger will ensure that batteries do not overcharge and they also will go into a maintenance mode to ensure your car is charged to 100% next time you get in it.

Environmental Conditions

Either extreme heat or cold can affect your batteries' life and performance. While extreme cold is not usually an issue for College Station and the neighboring area, we sometimes suffer from extreme heat. You and your golf car should refrain from working outdoors whenever possible during those times. Also keep in mind that the water in flooded lead acid batteries will dissipate at a higher right during the summer months and keep water levels at the proper level is extremely important to the life of the batteries. 

Lead-acid Battery Lifespan Range

Typically, a properly kept lead-acid battery pack will last 3-5 years, but it would not be shocking to see them last 7-8 years if proper maintenance and charging has been done throughout their life span.

Lithium-ion Battery Lifespan Range

Modern lithium-ion batteries have a lifespan of about 2-3 times longer than lead-acid batteries and most will perform well through 10 years or more. With proper care, some lithium-ion golf car batteries can last as long as 15 years!

Signs of Battery Deterioration

If you have concerns about whether your golf car battery or batteries may be deteriorating, here are some things to watch for:

 

• Overall decreased performance.

• Your car loses power quickly.

• Batteries take longer to charge.

• Despite normal charging, your golf car is slower and won't accelerate as it should.

• Your lead-acid battery is leaking around the terminals, seams, or openings, or your battery is bulging or deforming in shape.

• Visual corrosion of your battery terminals.

If you are having issues with your golf car, it is best to seek the advice of golf car professionals.

 

Invest in Quality: Aggieland Golf Cars Offers Golf Car Batteries Built to Last

Whether your electric golf car loses power quickly or you are experiencing other issues, we at Aggieland Golf Cars take the time to explore any problems you may be experiencing. We can also help you find the best golf car batteries for your car to ensure it's running smoothly well into the future.

Whether you use your golf car to play golf, travel on errands, or visit your neighbors, Aggieland Golf Cars is here. Contact us whether you are having battery issues or searching for the right golf car.