How to change a golf cart tire

April 8, 2025 Charles C. Elliott

People who want to change their own tire, changing golf cart tire is easy and simple, and requires limited number of tools and a little more patience. With this quick guide, you can get back on the course with your golf cart in no time!

Tools You'll Need:

Safety First:

Park on a Flat Spot: Make sure the golf cart is parked on a flat surface so it will not roll.
Cart Off: Turn off the ignition and take the key out
Another layer of precaution is to engage the parking brake.
Wheel Chocks: If the vehicle is going to remain on the ground, be sure to place wheel chocks or other sturdy blocks behind, and in front, of the tires. Top off your brake fluid with this brake fluid test kit.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Loosen the Lug Nuts:

Use the lug wrench to twist all of the lug nuts on the right side of the cart counterclockwise until they are loose, but not to remove them completely. It makes sure the wheel does not turn whilst you are busy.

Jack Up the Cart:

Put the floor jack under the frame close to the tire you are changing. Place it on a solid part of the frame, and ensure it’s not on any plastic parts or bracket.

Jack it up high enough to top the ground with the tire around 2-3 inches around the ground so the wheel clears.

Remove the Wheel:

Completely unscrew and take off the lug nuts that you loosened. Keep them in a safe place.

Just a gentle tug to pull the wheel directly off the hub. If its stuck, you can also try rock it back and forth slightly.

Deflate the Tire:

Remove the valve stem cap, then use a valve stem removal tool to deflate the tire completely. Which makes it slightly easier to get the tire off the rim.

Break the Bead:

Position the wheel and tire on the floor, flat. Press down the tire border to weed it off the rim. This can be tricky; a tire iron or pry bar can help separate the tire from the rim.

Remove the Old Tire:

After you break the bead use the tire iron to leverage the tire over the rim edge. Navigating around until the tire lifts free of the wheel.

Install the New Tire:

Just to ease the installation, use some tire lubricant or soapy water and lubricate the inner edge of new tire.

Line up the tire with the rim, and then push it onto the wheel using your hands and the tire iron for leverage when needed. Verify that the tire rests evenly on the wheel rim.

Inflate the Tire:

If you took out the valve (the metal stem things), put it back in.

Fill the tire to the proper PSI which should be listed on the sidewall of the tire. Listen for a pop noise as you fill up, a sign that the bead has seated itself in the rim.

Reattach the Wheel:

Slide the wheel back onto the hub, keeping it in alignment.
Without fitting them too tightly there, just tighten up to keep the wheel in place.
Put the Cart Back Down And Tighten Lug Nuts
Slowly lower the cart until the tire makes contact with the ground but isn’t bearing full weight.
Tighten the lug nuts fully in a crisscross pattern.
Bring the cart down completely and pull out the jack.
Double-check the lug nuts to ensure that they are all tight.

Final Checks:

Test Drive: Go for a short trip in the golf cart to verify that the tire has been properly installed and the ride feels smooth.
Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain the tread depth of the tire and check the pressure, this will prolong the life of the tire and increase safety.

These are the steps on how to change a golf cart tire, so you can do it with ease and hit the road! Keep Safety First And Always Follow Your Golf Cart Manual For Model Specific Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions about golf cart tire:

1. What tools do I need to change a golf cart tire?

Ans: A floor jack, lug wrench, wheel chocks, replacement tire, tire iron, and optionally, tire grease.

2. Should I loosen lug nuts before jacking up the cart?

Ans: Yes, loosen them while the cart is on the ground to prevent the wheel from spinning.

3. Where should I place the jack under the golf cart?

Ans: On a solid part of the frame, avoiding plastic or weak brackets.

4. How high should I lift the golf cart?

Ans: High enough so the tire is 2-3 inches off the ground.

5. What if the wheel is stuck after removing the lug nuts?

Ans: Gently rock it back and forth or tap it with a rubber mallet.

6. Do I need to deflate the tire before removing it?

Ans: Yes, removing air makes it easier to break the bead and pull the tire off.

7. How do I break the tire bead from the rim?

Ans: Press down on the tire edge or use a tire iron to pry it loose.

8. Should I lubricate the new tire before installing it?

Ans: Yes, tire grease or soapy water helps slide the tire onto the rim.

9. What PSI should I inflate the new tire to?

Ans: Check the sidewall of the tire for the recommended pressure.

10. How should I tighten the lug nuts?

Ans: Tighten in a crisscross pattern and double-check after lowering the cart.