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the golf cart guru • Brakes. Just like your automobile, your golf cart brakes need monitoring. Approximately once yearly, have a professional check your brakes and make needed adjustments or repairs. If you notice your brake performance deteriorating, go in immediately rather than waiting for your yearly check-up. It’s necessary to have a pro inspect your suspension and steering. The technician will check for wear and tear as well as loose nuts and bolts. He or she will check for problems, make repairs as needed, and lubricate everything to keep it operating at the optimal level. Lubrication is essential for many parts of a golf cart. When your golf cart has its 12-month checkups, the mechanic will lubricate all systems and components. Some people lubricate parts of their cart on their own on an as-needed basis, but it is okay to have a service professional do so at maintenance appointments. a minimum, have them checked and serviced yearly. It’s also advisable to perform some checks of your own: • Push your golf cart slightly when it’s parked. If it doesn’t budge, your brakes are too tight. If it rolls, they’re too loose. • Perform a quick visual inspection to make sure the brakes aren’t dragging. • Listen for squeaky brakes. • Notice the feel of your brake pedal. If it feels too loose or lower than usual, have it checked. If your quick check reveals a problem, schedule service right away. Brakes that are too loose or too tight can be dangerous. Dragging brakes make the golf cart work too hard, placing the batteries at risk of overheating. Replacing overheated batteries is much costlier than a brake (or other) repair call. • Brakes are another crucial part of your golf cart’s maintenance schedule. At Have a question? Send it to [email protected] MAY 2019 35