How Long Do Golf Cart Tires Last? (Everything to Know)

I know with my golf cart, one of the first things I had to replace were the tires, and I felt I had to replace them a little too soon, which begs the question, how long do golf cart tires last? 

Typically, golf cart tires last somewhere between 4 and 7 years. To maximize the lifespan of your tires, you’ll want to choose the best tires for your golf cart and give your tires the care that they need.

So in the article, as golf cart owners, I want to go through a couple of the caveats of about how long tires should last and what you can do to extend the life of them and not waste money like I did. 

What Are the Best Golf Cart Tires?

In order to find the best types of tires for your golf cart, you’ll need to consider how you’ll be using your tires. There are two main categories of golf cart tires: turf tires and all-terrain tires.

Turf Tires

These tires are best for carts that are primarily driven across the golf course. They have a flat tread, which keeps them from damaging the turf on the course.

While these tires perform very well on the golf course, they can’t handle muddy or rocky terrain. If you use a golf cart trailer and only drive your cart on the course, these tires are a solid option.

All-Terrain Tires

Unlike turf tires, all-terrain tires are designed to handle any type of terrain. The tread designs on the tires can provide excellent traction, even on rocky or steep roads.

These tires are larger, which means they could potentially damage the grass on the golf course. It’s best to avoid these tires unless you plan on driving your cart in a variety of environments.

Other Factors to Consider

In addition to selecting the right type of tire for your cart, you’ll want to look at the quality of the beads and rubber on the tire. You should also pay close attention to the tire’s ply and tread.

It’s worthwhile to choose tires from a trusted brand that has a reputation for excellence. Top golf tire brands include:

• Kenda
• Ocelot
• Airsun
• Achieva
• Innova
• Carlise

How to Increase the Lifespan of Your Golf Cart Tires

Regular maintenance could extend the lifespan of your tires by several years. With these tips, you’ll be able to keep your tires in excellent condition:

Shield Your Tires

Apply a sealant to your tires to protect them from environmental damage. The right sealant can apply a permanent shield to your tires.

Watch Your Golf Cart Tire Pressure

Keep a pressure gauge on hand so that you can check the air pressure on your tires. If the pressure falls below the recommended level, use an air pump to give your tires some extra air.

Rotate Your Tires

You’ll put more wear on your tires if they’re not properly balanced. Set a tire rotation schedule to avoid extra wear and keep your tires in great shape.

What Is the Recommended Air Pressure for Golf Cart Tires?

The ideal air pressure can vary based on the tires that you choose. You can usually find the recommended air pressure on the sidewall of your tires.

While the majority of standard golf cart tires have a suggested air pressure of 15 to 25 pounds per square inch (PSI), some have a recommended pressure of 30 or even 40 PSI.

It’s best not to go beyond the recommended air pressure for your tires. Higher air pressure can put more strain on your tires and can even increase the risk of your golf cart rolling.

When Is It Time to Change the Tires on Your Golf Cart?

Keep a close eye on your tires and watch out for potential problems. If you see cracking or dry rot, it’s best to replace your tires immediately.

Your tires don’t have to be replaced immediately if they have a leak. Leaky tires can usually be patched, but you should keep in mind that patching is a temporary fix.

Last, you should watch for signs of wear. If you’ve had your tires for several years, and you’ve started to notice a lot of wear on the tread, it’s time to start looking at replacement options.

Do Golf Cart Tires Need Balancing?

As a general rule, balancing can help prolong the life of your tires.

Tire balancing machines are designed for wheels much larger than the ones you’ll find on golf carts. Because of this, there’s no need for you to have your tires balanced.

If you notice a problem with your tires that seems like a balance issue, such as shaking or wobbling wheels, take a closer look at your tires.

Check your air pressure and make sure that your tires aren’t over-inflated.

How Often Should You Rotate Golf Cart Tires?

At a minimum, your cart tires should be rotated once per year. If your cart sees a lot of use, or if you drive it on rough terrain, you may want to rotate your tires more frequently.

Check the golf cart tire tread for signs of wear and tear. When you start to notice erosion on your now smooth tires, it’s time for a swap.

While it’s usually best to diagonally swap your front and back tires, some tires have treads that are specifically designed to face in a certain direction.

If you have directional tires, make sure you keep them on the same side of the cart.

Is It Hard to Change Golf Cart Tires?

Changing the tires on a golf cart shouldn’t be too difficult if you know how to change the tires on a standard vehicle.

You’ll need a floor jack, a socket wrench, a replacement tire, and some sort of wedge that will keep the other tires from rolling.

Before changing your tires, make sure that your cart is on level ground. Use the parking brake to keep it stable and use your wedge to keep the other tires in place.

Use your socket wrench to unscrew the lug nuts on your tire, then use your floor jack to raise the tire slightly above the ground.

Once your tire is elevated, you can remove the lug nuts and the tire.

When you place your new tire, make sure that the tread is facing towards the front.

Once you’re sure it’s positioned correctly, you can tighten the lug nuts and lower your golf cart back to the ground.

Last Thoughts

Any of the numbers in this post are just really good estimates based on my experience and research that I have done to make this issue as clear as possible.

So with that said, please use your best judgement. The tires are likely going to be one of the first things that you replace on your cart, so just be prepared and do what we suggested here to prolong the life span of the tires you already have.