How To Fix a Flat Tire on Your Golf Cart

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As with any vehicle that has tires, from bicycles to semi-trucks, your golf cart’s tires are liable to go flat at some point. Whether you run over a nail or hit an obstacle that causes them to pop, that flat tire is going to halt you in your tracks and render your cart useless until it’s fixed.

If you don’t want to have to shell out for a repair shop to fix every flat tire, then it’s a good idea to learn how to do it yourself. You’ll save a lot of time and money if you can repair your golf cart tires at home if you have the right tools and knowledge at your disposal.

Revel 42 Golf Carts & Powersports, with locations in Wilmington and Raleigh, is your North Carolina golf cart dealer. We’ve outlined the process for changing a flat tire on your golf cart so you can get back to riding as soon as possible.

1. Gather Your Supplies

It’s helpful to gather the supplies you’ll need before you begin so that your work can be conducted efficiently. You can purchase a flat-tire repair kit from some manufacturers that makes the process more convenient by providing you with pliers, a probe tool, a nozzle, a rasp, a plug gun with plugs and a retractable razor. This will allow you to repair a flat without replacing the whole tire.

In order to replace the whole tire, you’ll need a socket, a ratchet wrench and a good replacement tire. An air compressor will be necessary to air up the tire when you’re finished. For repairing or replacing the tire, you’ll need a floor jack suitable to your golf cart to raise it off the ground.

2. Follow Good Safety Practices

When repairing or changing a tire or performing any maintenance task on your golf cart, it’s vital that you follow good safety practices.

Wear protective, closed-toed footwear, work gloves, an apron and safety goggles.
Make sure that your cart’s ignition is off and that the parking brake is set before beginning any work.
Work in well-lit and well-ventilated conditions.
Avoid having any part of your body underneath the vehicle while it is on the jack.

3. Position the Jack

While your cart is on a flat surface, place the jack underneath the axle. Make sure that the jack is not under the cart body, as this can do damage to the vehicle.

4. Remove Nuts

Take the wheel cover off so you can remove the lug nuts with the appropriately sized socket, but don’t completely remove them just yet. Lift up your cart so that your tire is right above the ground, then you can remove the nuts and place them into a container for safekeeping.

4a. To Replace: Fix the Tire Onto the Spokes

Place your new tire onto the spokes and replace lug nuts one by one. Lower your jack until you have enough pressure to prevent the tire from slipping, then tighten your lug nuts carefully. Lower the cart completely, remove the jack and replace your wheel cover.

4b. To Repair: Plug The Hole

Use your pliers to remove any obstructions and the probe tool to finish cleaning out the hole. Your rasp will help you to ream out the hole so that the tire plug can set in perfectly. Now you’ll be able to plug up the hole. Remove the nozzle adapter and push the plug head into the barrel, then attach the nozzle and push it into your tire’s hole.

Crank the handle to insert the plug and leave a finger’s width of space on the plunger so that you have a little bit of plug stem sticking out of the tire. Release your crank and repeat the process again before pulling out the plug gun.

Use your pliers to set the plunger in by pulling out a bit before you push it in completely. Use your razor to cut the plug stem right at the tread level so it doesn’t stick out. Replace the tire onto the vehicle using the same steps as the “replace” instructions.

5. Air Up Tires

Make sure that all of your tires including the repaired/replaced tire are aired up to the correct pressure when you’re done. The general psi level for a golf cart tire is between 15 to 25 psi, but make sure to consult your owner’s manual or check the tire sidewall for a more accurate recommendation.

Remember: if you ever need some professional maintenance work on your golf cart, get in touch with the Revel 42 Golf Carts & Powersports service department. We can make you an appointment with our team of experts to address any issues you may have with your golf cart.

Seeking golf carts for sale in North Carolina? Browse our website to check out the selection of new and used golf carts available at our dealerships in Raleigh and Wilmington. Revel 42 Golf Carts and Powersports proudly serves all of our North Carolina customers, including those of you coming from Cary and Clayton, NC.