[Bonnie and Dave]

That’s all I’ve ever used!

[Rocksnap]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

So who is throwing regular gas in their carts???

If you use up the gas, regular pump gas is all that’s needed. If the cart sits for any length of time, think snow birds, add fuel stabilizer to FRESH gas. Or buy the non-ethanol gas at TV Carts.

[Down Sized]

Originally Posted by Bonnie and Dave

That’s all I’ve ever used!

13 years

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

When I bought our first cart (used, from The Villages Golf Cars), the sales guy said it had to be ethanol-free gas or it could take a year off the lifetime of the engine.

I didn't really think about that much, and paid the extra for the ethanol-free gas for a couple of months.

Then I realized - these engines can last 10 years or longer, and I was planning on replacing it before then. So who cares if it lasts a year less - it won't be mine then anyway.

So I switched to regular unleaded and I'm saving a small fortune, and my engine is fine.

[biker1]

When in doubt, consult the owner's manual. If it is a Yamaha, the owner's manual essentially states that 10% ethanol, or less, is OK. The knowledge of the sales guys can vary. One told be the Yamaha golf carts have a 2 cylinder engines (they don't).

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

When I bought our first cart (used, from The Villages Golf Cars), the sales guy said it had to be ethanol-free gas or it could take a year off the lifetime of the engine.

I didn't really think about that much, and paid the extra for the ethanol-free gas for a couple of months.

Then I realized - these engines can last 10 years or longer, and I was planning on replacing it before then. So who cares if it lasts a year less - it won't be mine then anyway.

So I switched to regular unleaded and I'm saving a small fortune, and my engine is fine.

[DonH57]

That's all we've ever used for both our carts, regular unleaded.

[Diver Man]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

By regular gas I assume you mean 10% ethanol. If you’re full time and use your cart on a regular basis that shouldn’t be a problem. The problem occurs when a cart sits for an extended period unused. The gas in the fuel delivery system eventually evaporates and with ethanol fuel it leaves behind a gummy varnish like deposit that can clog up the fuel delivery system. Problems are much more common with a carburetor, but a fuel injection system can also get effected. Carburetors have very small jets (which are basically holes) that easily get clogged up. I’ve disassembled and cleaned out several gummed up carburetors over the years and hope to never have to do it again.

100 percent correct, best answer. I have rebuilt or installed new carbs because of the gummy varnish left behind, cheap insurance. I have also torn apart fuel injectors that were.gummed up, due to vehicles gas sitting long periods of time.I have used non ethanol gas for over 10 years and have not had any issues unlike 10% ethanol gas.

[justjim]

We are Sunbirds (FL residents who own and go from the hot summer sun north for a while) and we have our “house watch” drive our carts weekly. Never had a problem using regular unleaded gasoline. My wife’s cart is a 2013. My cart was 10 years old when it was traded for a new quite-teck. Every fall we have the oil changed on our carts and any other maintenance needed.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Diver Man

100 percent correct, best answer. I have rebuilt or installed new carbs because of the gummy varnish left behind, cheap insurance. I have also torn apart fuel injectors that were.gummed up, due to vehicles gas sitting long periods of time.I have used non ethanol gas for over 10 years and have not had any issues unlike 10% ethanol gas.

Your definition of???

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

Your definition of???

The longer the time, the higher the risk. I guess once the damage is done, more time really doesn’t matter. My best guess is that under 3 months you’re typically good, 3-6 months is risky, over 6 months and you’re asking for trouble. Ethanol fuel treatment no doubt reduces risk and buys time, but ethanol free gas pretty much eliminates risk. I have also found that 2 cycle fuel mix generally tends to last longer than straight 10% ethanol fuel. The carburetor on my last motorcycle, a Kawasaki KLR650, would gum up every winter while being stored from early December until late April despite using fuel stabilizer and running it through the fuel delivery system. Once I started shutting off the fuel petcock valve and draining the carburetor/fuel bowl before storing it, the problem was solved. Whenever I use our generator, I shut off the fuel petcock valve and let it run until it runs out of fuel and stalls. That seems to empty out the carburetor enough to prevent issues also.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

How much? How frequently? Personal experience? ANY experience?

My guess is fewer than three people on this board know how much it would cost to replace the lithium battery in a golf cart because fewer than three people on this board have had to do it. (I want to say zero but there's always one)

An eight-year warranty implies a battery that will last ten years at a minimum. Not likely to be many ten year old lithium carts out there yet.

Very first post after saying he isn't starting an argument and you try to start an argument... Classic ToTV...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by forebubba

Have been for 8 years along with Stabil as recommended by carts and clubs where I bought.. same as with my lawnmower

Since I'm still not full time, I use Stabil every time we're not in TV for a few months... No problems yet...

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Very first post after saying he isn't starting an argument and you try to start an argument... Classic ToTV...

Not trying to start an argument at all, simply asking the basis for the specific assertion.

Classic ToTV you say? Then I have a good idea where the assertion came from.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

When I bought our first cart (used, from The Villages Golf Cars), the sales guy said it had to be ethanol-free gas or it could take a year off the lifetime of the engine.

I didn't really think about that much, and paid the extra for the ethanol-free gas for a couple of months.

Then I realized - these engines can last 10 years or longer, and I was planning on replacing it before then. So who cares if it lasts a year less - it won't be mine then anyway.

So I switched to regular unleaded and I'm saving a small fortune, and my engine is fine.

Changing your oil going save the lawnmower engine.

[jimmy o]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

So who is throwing regular gas in their carts???

I use golf cart gas from the villages cart shops. It’s 86 octane as is called for by Yamaha, and 100% gasoline, no ethanol. 10% ethanol has less Btu’s and therefore not as good mileage. Some people mistakenly think higher octane gets better mileage but octane has zero effect on mileage. True that carts still get great mileage anyway even with ethanol , but why not get better? Plus, I love the convenience of villages garages golf cart gas stations.