Golf Cart Tire Guide
Tips on Treads, Sizes, Maintenance
Keep your golf cart tire at the right pressure and replace it when it is worn for optimal golf cart ride and performance. Upgrade to a larger size for a faster or ride or change out the tread for off road riding. There are many different options for tire sizes and treads, depending on how you use your golf cart.
You will find that golf car tires are quite standardized. Larger tires are used on golf carts that are lifted or on carts that are used for utility reasons and carrying heavy loads.
Golf Cart Tire Size Guide
Golf cart tires come in a variety of sizes. The height of the tire and the wheel size both need to be considered. The standard wheel or opening size is 8"
but golf cart wheels also come in 9", 10" and 12" sizes. An 8" wheel usually accommodates an 18" tire.
Stock or Standard Golf Cart Tire Size
Standard factory golf cart tires are 18x8.5-8" tires and are what is most commonly used on non-customized golf carts.
Golf Cart Tire Wear
When is it time to replace your golf car tires?
Mike, if you are reading this, it's when
1. They will no longer hold air.
2. Tread wears down
Just like car tires, when the tread wears down it's time to start shopping.
3. Hairline cracks or
4. Places of swelling are also signs that new tires are needed.
If you notice that you need to put air in every couple of weeks, your tire is experiencing a slow leak and can sometimes be fixed.
More Signs of Golf Cart Tire Wear and How to Know When to Replace Them
Some links in the following sections are eBay or Amazon affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through them I receive a small commission. There is no extra cost to you. Find more details on this page.
However, if you are in need of replacing your worn golf cart tires you can get a set of 4 standard golf cart tires and rims at Amazon with the convenience of having them delivered right to your door.
Kenda Golf Cart Tire
A popular and reliable golf cart tire that you'll see on many carts in our golf cart community is a Kenda golf cart tire.
These are solid well made tires and rims. They come fully inflated and are easy to install with a car jack.
A non-lifted golf cart can use an 18.5" tall tire, and some golf cart models can take a taller tire.
If you use your golf cart like I do for golfing, you need to be sure your tires are "golf course approved." Certain off-road treads are not allowed on golf courses so be sure to check with your local golf course before making a new tire purchase.
This Club Car golf cart tire accommodates a 10 inch golf cart
wheel.
It's a "beefier" tire compared to the standard tire. I love the smoother ride and the more custom look it provides. Also because I spent a lot of money on custom golf cart wheels, I wanted a long lasting and durable tire.
Did you know that the EZ GO RXT can accommodate a 21" tire with a 14" wheel without having to install a lift kit?
Here is a handy guide and chart by Golf Cart Tire Supply that will help you decode the numbers and guide you to the right size golf cart tire and wheel
https://www.golfcarttiresupply.com/how-to-read-golf-cart-tire-sizes/
You can always find the current size of your tires by checking the sidewalls - all of the tire info is printed right there.
Golf Cart Tire Tread Design
Golf cart tires and rims can be simply functional for a smooth ride or they can give a custom look to any golf cart.
Some people like to choose their tire based on the tread design. There are three main categories:
1. Turf or Street Tires
These are usually the standard tires that come on a golf cart. They can be used on the golf course and are good for riding on smooth golf cart paths but are not for rough terrain.
Set of 4 18x8.50-8 with 8x7 Golf Cart Tires and Standard Wheels
The Kenda Pro Tour tires are a reliable make and are often seen on golf carts in our area. This tire size is 205/50-10 and comes without a wheel.
2. Off Road or Knobby Golf Cart Tires
As the name implies they are good for off-road driving in woods, mud, or sand for maximum traction. The tread is very knobby and thick. They do not give a comfortable ride on a smooth street surface.
These tires are used on a lifted cart. The tires are wider which provides a lifted cart with more stability. These tires also give your golf cart more clearance for
offroading or hunting. New golf cart wheels will be needed for these
larger tires.
A golf cart with these tires cannot be used on the golf course. Check out a selection at Amazon here:
3. All Terrain Golf Cart Tires
All terrain tires are a combination of the two. Not as smooth as the street tire and not as knobby as the off road tire.
They perform well in gravel, sand and dirt.
You can purchase them mounted with wheels or just the tires. The three most common sizes are 10", 12" & 14" and some require lift kits.
Golf Cart Tire Ply
Golf cart tire ply refers to the thickness and durability of the tire. The standard is a 4 ply tire. This is good for our cart which is used regularly for playing golf and riding the golf cart paths to get around town.
Consider a 6 ply tire if you are using the cart to carry heavy loads - i.e for carts with cargo boxes on the back.
Low Profile Golf Cart Tires
One of the advantages of a low profile tire is that they can be used without having to add a lift kit.
A low profile golf cart tire gives a customized look to your golf cart. Tires can be purchased separately from the wheels and then you would pay a local shop to mount them for you. Depending on the tread, these tires can be used on the golf course.
This golf cart tire is available in 3 sizes - 10", 12" and 14". They can be purchased as tires only or as a tire and wheel combination.
Lifted Golf Carts and Larger Tires
See how the lifted golf cart on the right accommodates a larger and beefier tire? Which look do you prefer?
Check out some of your lift kit and tire options here:
Used Golf Cart Tires
Have you considered getting used golf car tires to replace your worn tires?
It's possible when you live in a golf cart community where there are lots of golf cart businesses.
Golf cart salvage places often have some good used tires. Find out what to look for before you go this route.
To find out how you can save some money this way click here:
Golf Cart Tire and Rim Combos
Golf cart tires and rims can be purchased as a package if you want both new wheels and new tires. Standard rims are going to be just plain white or almond colored.
If you buy the golf cart tire at the same time you are purchasing a golf cart wheel, the mounting is often free. Golf cart wheels can be made of steel or aluminum. The standard golf cart wheel uses a 4 on 4 golf cart bolt hole pattern. This standard hole pattern typically fits an EZ Go, Club Car or Yamaha golf cart.
There are some cooool looking ones out there. Of course they are more expensive - but hey, we are in our golf cart more than our car! The steel rims are the more standard ones and are less expensive. For a more custom golf cart, select one of the many styles and finishes that are made from aluminum. The number of spokes range from 4 to 14.
Whens selecting your golf cart wheels you will need to know the size of your tires. The most common wheel sizes are for 8", 10" and 12."
Check out some pictures here:
Golf Cart Tire and Wheel Combos
Golf Cart Tire Pressure
It is important that you maintain the proper air pressure in your golf car tires.
Tire pressure is important for not only the safety of your cart but also for the life of your tire and for the quality of your ride.
You will find the recommended Tire Pressure, or psi (pounds per square inch), on the tire’s sidewall.
Tire pressure varies between each manufacturer and style of the tire.
To learn more about tire pressure information and what happens when you over inflate your tires click here:
Golf Cart Tire Rotation
A golf cart tire rotation schedule is usually driven by how much you use your cart. Even tire wear is desirable to extend the life of a set of tires. If you have a problem with the suspension on your golf cart and the tires are wearing uneven, rotating your tires will not help.
Normal wear can be caused by just the weight difference between the front and back of the cart. Keeping tire wear even can be as simple as rotating them periodically.
I normally just use the jack from my car to lift the golf cart. Most cars will have a scissor jack that will fit under the suspension of the golf cart.
Place the jack where the golf cart service manual recommends or on the axel of the cart. I find it helpful to break the torque on the nuts with the full weight on the cart before I jack it up. If the nuts are tight on the front tires and you jack the cart without breaking the torque the tires will just spin.
Always put the brakes on the cart before you jack and NEVER put any part of your body underneath the cart when it is raised off the ground.
I like to rotate my tires front to back because it is easier than crisscrossing them. If the manufacturer has a different recommendation then follow it.
I jack the front of the cart first and then place blocks of wood underneath the suspension and lower the front. I go to the back of the cart and remove the back tire. Be careful because the weight of the cart is all on the opposite side and is just balancing on a jack and stack of wood. Do not allow anyone or anything get in the cart when it is on a jack. I like to clean the inside of the tires before I reinstall them. It gives my custom wheels a brighter look.
Install the front tires on the rear and then install the rear tires on the front. It takes about 30" to 45" to do all of the tires.
Golf Cart Tire Leak
Here in a golf cart community, you can simply bring your old tire to one of our many golf cart shops to get new ones. They can match the new tire to the tires that you already have. Unlike golf cart batteries, you do not need to replace all of the tires at the same time, unless all four tires are worn.
Sometimes, your tires may develop a leak, just like your car tires. Bring it up to your local car repair shop - have them check the leak and plug it up for you. It costs a lot less to do this than it does to replace the tire.
Some people have luck with a tire sealant like Fix a Flat Aerosol Tire inflator.
You can also order tires on line, but be sure to check the sidewall of the tire to get your correct size. Golf cart wheels and tires can customize a look AND also contribute to a more comfortable ride.
Return to Golf Cart Wheels and Tires
Go from Golf Car Tire to Golf Carts Etc.
If you are interested in the free Golf Carts Etc. Newsletter you will find information and updates on:
√ Golf Cart Accessories and Products
√ Golf Cart Repair FAQ
√ Golf Cart and Battery Maintenance
√ Electric Golf Cart Reviews
√ Golf Cart Parts
√ Golf Cart Tires
.... and more. Your e-mail information will never be shared with anyone else. Simply sign up here:
Check out our FREE monthly newsletter! Get the latest information on golf cart accessories, maintenance and more ...
