How To Properly Set Your Golf Cart Tire Pressure

How to Set Tire Pressure on Golf Carts

Follow these four steps to set the correct tire pressure for your golf cart tires:

1. Check your owner's manual or tire sidewall: The recommended tire pressure can usually be found in your golf cart's owner's manual or on the tire's sidewall.
2. Use a reliable tire pressure gauge: Make sure to use a quality tire pressure gauge for accurate readings. We use the Milwaukee M12 Compact Inflator at our shop, which not only reads pressure but inflates your tires automatically as well!
3. Adjust tire pressure: Inflate or deflate your tires according to the manufacturer (sidewall) recommended golf cart tire PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch). Remember that tire pressure can be affected by temperature changes, so check and adjust the pressure regularly as needed. We recommend every 2-4 weeks on average.
4. Recheck tire pressure: After adjusting the pressure, recheck it with your tire gauge to ensure it is at the proper level. This might sound silly, but will save you from small leaks you may not have noticed.

Importance of Proper Golf Cart Tire Pressure

Setting the correct tire pressure for your golf cart is vital for several reasons:

1. Safety: Underinflated or overinflated tires can lead to poor handling, loss of traction, and even accidents.
2. Tire Life: Proper tire pressure helps maximize the lifespan of your tires by reducing unnecessary extra wear-and-tear.
3. Performance and Ride Quality: Correct tire pressure gives you the best ride quality, handling, and fuel efficiency. It also contributes to a smooth and comfortable ride (no one likes a wobbly cart)!
4. Terrain Adaptability: Different terrains may require specific tire pressures to provide the best performance. For example, airing down your tires on sand (beach use) gives your cart a much larger contact patch with the ground, helping it to effectively "float" over than sand instead of sinking in.

Tire Pressure for Different Types of Golf Cart Tires

The best tire pressure for your golf cart may vary depending on the type of golf cart tires you have installed on your wheels. Here are some general guidelines:

• 18x8.5-8 Golf Cart Tires: The standard tire pressure for these factory sized tires is around 22 PSI, but it can vary depending on the specific tire model and load capacity and tire brand.
• Low Profile Golf Cart Tires: These tires typically require higher pressure to ride smooth, usually between 20 and 24 PSI, for the best performance.
• All Terrain Golf Cart Tires: For these taller off-road golf cart tires, the recommended pressure is usually between 18 and 20 PSI, depending on the specific model and terrain conditions. Rougher terrain requires lower pressure (more grip), and smooth terrain requires higher pressure.
• Turf Golf Cart Tires: Modern turf tires generally require similar pressure to factory sawtooth golf cart tires, usually around 20 PSI for the best ride quality on grass.

Summing It All Up

Maintaining proper tire pressure is important for the best ride quality, most safety and longest tire life for golf cart tires. It ensures a smooth and comfortable ride, as well as optimal handling and charge (fuel) efficiency. By following the guidelines provided in this article and regularly checking your cart's tire pressure, you will stay ahead of the game!

If you have any questions relating to your golf cart tires, please give our expert team a call today at 1-844-422-7884! We are always here to help you with all of your  golf cart accessories  and  golf cart parts  shopping needs.

Updated: 2-27-2025

By: Alex Sturwold of the Golf Cart Expert Team