Can Golf Carts Get Wet? (Important Facts to Know)

If you’re considering using your golf cart in the rain or leaving it outside there are some things you need to be aware of.

Can Golf Carts Get Wet?
Most golf carts can be used in wet conditions. Golf carts are equipped with wipers and a roof but you need to pay attention to the batteries. Make sure they are locked away properly so they don’t get wet.

Here are some things to be aware of before you drive off in the rain.

Things to consider before driving a golf cart in the rain

There are several safety precautions you should take before driving it in the rain.

Here are the factors that you should consider

1) The intensity of the storm.

If the rain is too heavy, it is better to halt and wait for it to reduce.

2) Wiper condition.

You should ensure that your wipers are in good condition so that you can be able to assess the state of the road by setting the appropriate speed.

3) Tire condition.

Treads provide the needed traction for gripping the cart paths under possibly hazardous circumstances such as rain, snow, winter, and muddy conditions.

The golf carts you ride on wet cart paths would be uncontrollable in case the treads were absent.

Worn out tires increase the hydroplaning threat.

Once a water layer gets between the tire and the surface of the road, hydroplaning takes place. When this happens, the tire drops its capacity to grip on the golf path and causes your cart to lose control.

It may be quite hard to regain control if you have ever hydroplaned while riding your golf cart.

Modern tire tread models are fitted with profound grooves that help reduce this problem. As the tread wears off gradually over time, the grooves get less efficient.

The shallower the groove, the higher the danger for hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is extremely probable when tires are bald in severe rainy conditions.

4) Condition of the brakes.

Emergency breaks will help you slow down in case the road is slippery. This can only happen if your brakes are not worn out.

Brakes tend to be slippery in rainy or wet conditions.

This implies that your cart might not stop immediately and this can worsen or become dangerous if the brakes are in a bad condition.

However, if you notice the following signs on your breaks, then you should not risk driving your golf cart during wet conditions.

5) Strange squeaky sound

This noisy metal noise implies that the pads are fully worn out, most probably with no chance of repair. The noise is due to the brushing together of the disc and the caliper.

This can scrape your rotors and make the surface uneven.

6) Frequent vibration.

A brake pedal vibrating is usually indicative of distorted rotors. The vibration is noticed because brake pads are not capable of uniformly grabbing the surface.

Keeping your brakes in good working condition will ensure your safety while riding your golf cart in wet conditions.

7) Pull feeling

In case your electric golf cart is pulling on one side while trying to stop, it can be an indication that the brake liner is worn out unevenly.

A brake modification is required for your golf cart to be safe during wet conditions.

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Signs that water has destroyed your cart engine

• Improper functioning engine

The engine needs to be powered by electricity. The spark that ignites your cart engine is supplied by your battery. If the water soaks your engine, then there are high chances that it might not crank well.

The main problem is “clicking” when you start your golf cart.

This implies that the current flow in the system is not adequate to ignite the engine.

• Fluctuating engine power

One sign you’d find is that the engine struggles to work at the standard speed constantly.

You should know that when this occurs to your golf cart there is an inner engine defect stopping its full output. Other indications of a poor engine include a shaky golf cart at high-speed and having problems speeding it up.

• Strange sounds

How can someone tell the engine is in a bad condition? One of the indications of a faulty golf cart engine is knocking noise.

In general, the mechanical components of the engine are usually defective due to exposure to excessive moisture.

In such an event, you have to bring a trusted specialist and have it inspected immediately.

• Brakes

Wet brakes will increase the braking distance. This might lead to an accident if you are not cautious.

Subjection to water can distort rotors if they are super-hot.

When you attempt to brake your cart will vibrate.

• Solenoid

The solenoid is among your golf cart’s most significant parts. It’s one of your golf cart’s key parts for the movement. It doesn’t matter if it’s an electronic or gas golf cart, you need a well-functioning electronic or gas solenoid to get anywhere.

However, if you expose your cart to water then the functioning of the solenoid might be interfered with.

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What happens if water damages your solenoid?

The most common effect on a gas golf cart is that the starter does not get engaged. It does not switch on the engine as a result. All you hear is several very useless clicking sounds.

The most prevalent effect on an electric one is that the solenoid does not supply the engine with energy in form of electricity during ignition.

The solenoid will be on and off with the ignition switch under ordinary working circumstances.

Typically, a failed solenoid doesn’t click.

• Controller

Driving your golf cart in puddles can have a very serious impact on altering the operation of your golf cart controller. Golf carts utilize speed controllers to regulate how quickly you can go, helping you to stay secure on the route.

The speed controller usually retains a golf cart speed not to exceed a maximum of 6 mph (10 km/h).

Normally it is found below your golf cart’s seat.

What happens if water destroys your golf cart’s controller?

If the motor of your golf cart is not working properly, the cart will display it by running incorrectly, or by not driving at a steady velocity.

When your cart begins to show these signs, your speed controller is the first thing that you should observe and then avoid puddles the next time you take a ride.

What happens to your cart in case the motor is soaked in water?

Your golf cart will not be able to move at all.

In case you are riding it, it might just stop suddenly. It employs the magnetism principle to attract and repel the components at the same time to make the thing move.

Is driving golf carts in rain safe?

This entirely depends on the amount of rain.

Heavy rains result in large puddles that might soak your golf cart leading to mechanical problems. The paths might also be too slippery and make your cart to constantly skid or slide.

This together with poor visibility might eventually lead to accidents.

You should also remember that golf carts cannot shield you from lightning strikes.

However, in the case of light showers, you can ride your golf cart. But you should be keen to watch out for pools of water just in case there is one or two.

Can you get shocked if you drive your electric cart in a massive puddle?

There is no chance of getting shocked.

Water only creates corrosion, not an instant disastrous impact, even if it gets to the battery terminal.