golf cart questions re fueling and tire pressure

[BRN_RI_FL]

Unfortunately we're back in RI for a while but before we left I filled up my 2017 Yamaha gas cart for the first time at the Sumter Villages station. I believe it is ethanol free there. At Carts and Clubs they said to add the fuel stabilizer with each fill-up which I did. That's needed with the ethanol free gas too, correct?

Also is there a way to keep the seat in an upright position while you're taking the gas cap off and refueling. Maybe I missed that feature when everything was explained to me. I should mention that it is a custom seat. It's a bit of a pain holding the seat up.

Finally I was told that I should overinflate the tires for the 6 weeks that we will be gone. On the tire is says maximum inflation is 35 psi. Actual psi seemed to be about 18. Carts and clubs said to overinflate to about 30. The villages golf carts said 23-24 would be fine. I ended up inflating to 25. Any thoughts on this? What should the normal inflation be?

Thanks in advance for answering my newbie golf cart questions.
Bruce

[John_W]

I bought 2011 Yamaha Gas Cart new 6 years ago from TV Cart Store, it had and still does, Loadstar 205/65-10 Tires and they say right on the side 35psi and that is what I keep them at. I know under-inflated golf cart tires will wear out on the edge quickly.

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/e4752bc1-1007-4dc2-95a6-d2d8f80d2b79_1.3a04505a30c3141275ca5c8ceb6c39e8.jp eg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF

The Stablizer that Carts & Clubs said to add was probably this, Sta-Bil Marine Stablizer for Ethanol Gas. Since you used ethanol free gas you won't need to use that anymore. Probably didn't hurt it, since I used ethanol gas and stablizer for 4 years and have been using ethanol free gas and no stablizer the last two years. A lot of stuff has gone through my tank by now.

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a890cdd-1f6d-48da-a311-cf8526a857bc_1.11c192310698cb474f0f2975a962c6d3.jp eg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF

I have Ultimate Seats in my cart installed when I bought it from TV and they look just like this. From TV they have an 18" long support arm with rubber ends that is under the seat with velcro and you just lift it out and prop up the seat with the support. Seems Carts & Clubs should included something similar.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VYQ2kXsppuc/maxresdefault.jpg

[BRN_RI_FL]

I bought 2011 Yamaha Gas Cart new 6 years ago from TV Cart Store, it had and still does, Loadstar 205/65-10 Tires and they say right on the side 35psi and that is what I keep them at. I know under-inflated golf cart tires will wear out on the edge quickly.

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/e4752bc1-1007-4dc2-95a6-d2d8f80d2b79_1.3a04505a30c3141275ca5c8ceb6c39e8.jp eg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF

The Stablizer that Carts & Clubs said to add was probably this, Sta-Bil Marine Stablizer for Ethanol Gas. Since you used ethanol free gas you won't need to use that anymore. Probably didn't hurt it, since I used ethanol gas and stablizer for 4 years and have been using ethanol free gas and no stablizer the last two years. A lot of stuff has gone through my tank by now.

https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/2a890cdd-1f6d-48da-a311-cf8526a857bc_1.11c192310698cb474f0f2975a962c6d3.jp eg?odnHeight=450&odnWidth=450&odnBg=FFFFFF

I have Ultimate Seats in my cart installed when I bought it from TV and they look just like this. From TV they have an 18" long support arm with rubber ends that is under the seat with velcro and you just lift it out and prop up the seat with the support. Seems Carts & Clubs should included something similar.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VYQ2kXsppuc/maxresdefault.jpg

Thanks John. Very helpful, as usual. I'm going to call Carts and Clubs tomorrow. When I had my questions on Saturday night, they were closed. I think the 35psi on the tires was the maximum but not quite sure why they would be only about 18.

[NoMoSno]

They probably recommend over inflating for storage, so they don't develop flat spots. I run mine at 25psi.
No need for ethanol treatment if you use ethanol free gas, however it's a good idea to use a fuel stabilizer if you are letting the cart sit un-used for awhile, keeps the gas fresh. I also use Sta-Bil Marine 360 stabilizer/ethanol treatment.

[villagetinker]

I use a piece of wood, cut to the correct length to hold the seat up for refueling, checking the battery, etc., I just put the board between the seat bottom, and a convenient brace point.

[TechGC]

25 PSI on the 205x65x10 tire is too low. When your out and about look at how many tires are worn on the inside and outside edge...That's due to low tire pressure. Many shops recommend 25 PSI for that tire, its too low. As stated, side wall says 35 psi and the rule of thumb is a 10% plus or minus from that number.

[asianthree]

Do you have a home watch, we have our carts run once a week never any problems

[petsetc]

I find the 5 gallon paint stirrer from HomeDepot or Lowes is the ideal size to hold the seat up during refueling.

[rubicon]

Truman's famous line of please someone find me a one handed economist has application to all professions and trades.

I purchased a new Yamaha EFI gas Cart from Carts and Clubs I am looking at there typed maintenance instructions now.

Tire Pressure: for "8"inch tires about 20psi to 22psi and for "10"tires 22psi to 28psi. We prefer 25psi

EFI Model You may add fuel stablizer to the gasoline in your fuel tank . We recommend Fuel Med by Yamaha....
Also written at the bottom of the page Stabil or Seafoam.

Our seats have a center arm rest and that is what we use to keep the seat propped up when we gas up.

all of my neighbors own EFI Yamaha ranging from 2013 to 2017. all use less than 10% ethanol (circle K stations). None of my neighbors have used fuel stablizr and none of my neighbors have noticed an issue?

[BRN_RI_FL]

Thanks everyone!

[JerryP]

25 PSI on the 205x65x10 tire is too low. When your out and about look at how many tires are worn on the inside and outside edge...That's due to low tire pressure. Many shops recommend 25 PSI for that tire, its too low. As stated, side wall says 35 psi and the rule of thumb is a 10% plus or minus from that number.

35 psi is for the "maximum load rating" per tire.

[BRN_RI_FL]

35 psi is for the "maximum load rating" per tire.

Ok I remember reading maximum. So if that is the maximum, what is the optimum pressure?

[tuccillo]

For the 10" Loadstar tires, I run 25-30 PSI. The lower pressures may give you a bit softer ride.

Ok I remember reading maximum. So if that is the maximum, what is the optimum pressure?

[TechGC]

For the 10" Loadstar tires, I run 25-30 PSI. The lower pressures may give you a bit softer ride.


We see the tires wear funny at the 25 PSI, so we do a minimum of 32, our customers have no issues with premature wear.

Also, tires should no be doing the work of suspension, so lowering the tire pressure would not be recommended.

[tuccillo]

My 10" Loadstar tires are wearing evenly at 25-30 PSI. There is usually no reason to run the maximum PSI (35) unless you have weight that is at the maximum that the tire can support. I am also running in the range recommended by Carts and Clubs, where I bought the cart.

We see the tires wear funny at the 25 PSI, so we do a minimum of 32, our customers have no issues with premature wear.

Also, tires should no be doing the work of suspension, so lowering the tire pressure would not be recommended.

[fred53]

Stabilzer is a scam. Had a 2001 Honda never used it never a problem. I have a 2003 Yamaha golf cart and use regular gas with 10% ethanol...zero problems. Tried stabilizer in Maine with my mower in the winter and blower in the summer....zero help. Spend and do what you want, but you're wasting your money. Tire pressure: I try to keep at what the tire itself says. It always drops during the year and I refill with air once a year. All good.

[Braddock]

Checked my last service with TV Golf Carts. With 14 inch low profile tires they noted they were set at 22 in front and 24 in the rear.

[Wiotte]

Checked my last service with TV Golf Carts. With 14 inch low profile tires they noted they were set at 22 in front and 24 in the rear.



I think they set them up this way so as not to tear up the golf courses. At those low pressures you will see abnormal wear patterns as well as decreased mpg. Set them according to the tire sidewall psi.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NoMoSno]

I get more even wear with the 10" Load Star at 25psi.
At 35psi I got uneven wear at the center only.
Maybe the weight of the cargo is a factor...:mmmm:

[tuccillo]

Wear in the center is an indication of overinflation. The 10" Loadstar tires are rated at 910 pounds per tire at 35 PSI. Since your cart and passengers are nowhere near 3600 pounds, a lower inflation would be advised.

I get more even wear with the 10" Load Star at 25psi.
At 35psi I got uneven wear at the center only.
Maybe the weight of the cargo is a factor...:mmmm:

[l2ridehd]

My 2010 cart from Carts and Clubs has a short strap under the seat that when the seat is up it will wrap around the steering wheel and hold the seat up. It's stuffed under the added foam and the seat bottom. They have been adding that strap to their carts for many years and doubt they stopped now. You wont see it unless you're looking for it.

[BRN_RI_FL]

My 2010 cart from Carts and Clubs has a short strap under the seat that when the seat is up it will wrap around the steering wheel and hold the seat up. It's stuffed under the added foam and the seat bottom. They have been adding that strap to their carts for many years and doubt they stopped now. You wont see it unless you're looking for it.

Thanks. I'll look for that strap when I'm back in the Villages in November.

[Challenger]

Stabilzer is a scam. Had a 2001 Honda never used it never a problem. I have a 2003 Yamaha golf cart and use regular gas with 10% ethanol...zero problems. Tried stabilizer in Maine with my mower in the winter and blower in the summer....zero help. Spend and do what you want, but you're wasting your money. Tire pressure: I try to keep at what the tire itself says. It always drops during the year and I refill with air once a year. All good.

Most if not all retail fuel additives are a waste, at a minimum, if not a total scam. Biggest benefit is placebo.

Source: lots of literature on the subject

[autumnspring]

Unfortunately we're back in RI for a while but before we left I filled up my 2017 Yamaha gas cart for the first time at the Sumter Villages station. I believe it is ethanol free there. At Carts and Clubs they said to add the fuel stabilizer with each fill-up which I did. That's needed with the ethanol free gas too, correct?

Also is there a way to keep the seat in an upright position while you're taking the gas cap off and refueling. Maybe I missed that feature when everything was explained to me. I should mention that it is a custom seat. It's a bit of a pain holding the seat up.

Finally I was told that I should overinflate the tires for the 6 weeks that we will be gone. On the tire is says maximum inflation is 35 psi. Actual psi seemed to be about 18. Carts and clubs said to overinflate to about 30. The villages golf carts said 23-24 would be fine. I ended up inflating to 25. Any thoughts on this? What should the normal inflation be?

Thanks in advance for answering my newbie golf cart questions.
Bruce

RE: ethanol free gas and stabilizer.
Gasoline stbilizer has been in use long before there was unleaded gas or gasoline with alcohol in it. Sitting in a gas tank gasoline or even diesel fuel turns to a jelly. This jelly can and does plug up the small jets in either a carburetor of fuel injection. Perhas of some interest the active ingredient in the red Stabil is BHT the same anti oxidant added to many foods to prevent spoilage. The Blue product-the marine grade is supposed to prevent the alchohol in the fuel from absorbing moisture from the air.
While the blue product is slightly more expensive, the directions tell you to use less of it so the cost is about the same.
RE: way to keep the seat up.
I'm sure there are plenty of solutions. I just make my wife hold it uo. She drives it far more than I do anyway. A two person job, once a month is no big deal. The alcohol debate does not seem to die. Read the book that came with your Yamaha golf cart and it says it is OK to run on 10% ethanol fuel. The reason it is an issue is that some products may not have alcohol proof gaskets-rubber seals.
It was a common issue in outboard engines made before about 1970. The solution was easy. If, the engine was that old it was long past time to rebuild the carburetor anyway. You would buy the kit for ?????? about $12.00 at most and solve the problem. Next time you fuel your car, look on the side of the pump and it will say may contain up to 10% ethanol.
RE: Tire pressure
You state the tires say MAXIMUM pressure to be 35 psi. That is exactly what is says the maximum. You know in may things if 35 is good I will put in 50. You can inflate the tires to the point that they will blow up or depending on the way the tire is made, you can force air between the inside and outside of the tire creating a bubble. Sooner or later the bubble will pop. So your pump exuberance will cost you a new tire and perhaps a long walk home.
Twenty PSI is the pressure that yamaha states. The reason you were told to over-inflate the tires is if they sit in the same position for a long time you will get a flat spot that will be disturbing till it hopefully goes back to round.
You may not have noticed but tires do loose pressure over time due to air leaking out. Also, the pressure of a gas (air in your tires) changes with temperature. It is now getting cooler so the pressure in all of your tires will drop.

YOUR CHOICE OF 25 WILL BE FINE. WHEN, THEY SAY 30 THEY HAVE MET THE GUY THAT IF THEY WERE TO SAY 35 AS WRITTEN ON YOUR TIRE HE WOULD GO FOR 50.

[Topspinmo]

I'm not worried about tire wear on my golf cart. What I am worried about is my back going over the street drains crossing the streets. So, I set my rear pressure to absorb the shock on my back which about 18 psi sweat spot for me. I am not over weight so I don't have to blow the tires up to maximum pressure so the don't look flat. As far as fuel additive or stabilization IMO it cheap engine insurance, 5 bucks not going to break me. I'm glad to hear people actually check their tire pressure. Now, if they would just check the oil on gas carts. (ones that don't do it between oil changes) we may have accomplished something. Why, cause that's probably $3k million dollar question when the cart makes that strange clanking sound of main bearing failing.