Golf Cart Help Center

Street Ready means a golf cart comes equipped with many of the features commonly used for neighborhood and community driving, such as headlights, taillights, turn signals, brake lights, mirrors, seat belts and a horn. Being Street Ready does not automatically make a cart legal to drive on public roads.

Street Legal / LSV refers to a vehicle that meets the requirements to be titled and registered as a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV). LSV requirements can include additional equipment, certification, registration, insurance and other state or local requirements.

The important difference: Street Ready describes the cart's equipment. Street Legal describes its legal vehicle classification and ability to operate on approved public roads.

Rules vary by state and municipality, so Freedom Custom Carts can help you understand which option makes sense for where you plan to drive.

Lithium batteries have become the preferred power source for many modern golf carts because they offer a combination of performance, convenience and low maintenance.

Compared with traditional lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries are significantly lighter, require no watering or routine battery maintenance, charge faster and typically provide a much longer service life. They also maintain more consistent power as the battery discharges, so the cart's performance doesn't gradually fall off the same way it can with lead-acid batteries.

Lithium also makes ownership easier. There are no water levels to check, no battery acid to clean up and substantially less day-to-day battery maintenance.

That's why you'll now find lithium power standard or available across many of the new carts we carry at Freedom Custom Carts.

Good charging habits help your lithium battery perform properly and maximize its service life. We recommend charging your cart after use rather than routinely running the battery down to a very low state of charge.

Whenever possible, plug the charger directly into a properly grounded wall outlet on a circuit capable of handling the load. If an extension cord is necessary, use a heavy-duty 12-gauge or larger cord and keep it as short as practical. Avoid lightweight household extension cords, power strips and overloaded garage circuits.

Allow the charger to complete its normal charging cycle and follow the charging instructions provided for your specific cart and battery system. Different lithium batteries use different battery-management systems, so the manufacturer's recommendations should always take priority.

If your cart will be stored for an extended period or exposed to freezing temperatures, charging and storage recommendations may be different. See our Winter Storage guide for those situations.

Proper winter storage helps protect your battery and keeps your cart ready when warmer weather returns.

For lithium carts, fully charge the battery before extended storage and follow the storage recommendations for your specific battery and cart. Avoid charging a lithium battery when temperatures are below the manufacturer's minimum charging temperature.

One of the biggest problems we see is a cart that has been left plugged in and unattended for an extended period. Don't assume that because the charger is plugged in, the battery is being maintained. Periodically check your cart and battery. If appropriate for your charger, disconnect and reconnect it to confirm that a charging cycle begins.

If a lithium battery becomes deeply discharged, the Battery Management System (BMS) may enter a protection state and the normal charger may not be able to initiate a charge. This can result in a completely dead cart that requires additional service or a manufacturer-specific recovery procedure.

Before storage, also check tire pressure, remove unnecessary accessories drawing power and follow the power-off or storage procedure recommended for your specific cart.

Before driving your golf cart after an extended period of storage, take a few minutes to make sure the cart and battery are ready to go.

Start by checking the battery's state of charge and confirm that the cart powers on normally. If the battery needs charging, connect the proper charger and allow it to complete a full charging cycle before driving.

Check your tire pressure and inspect the tires for damage or flat spots. Test the brakes, steering, headlights, brake lights, turn signals, horn and other safety equipment before heading out.

If the cart was stored with the charger connected, don't assume the battery remained charged simply because it was plugged in. Verify the battery level and make sure the charger operates normally.

If the cart is completely dead or the charger will not begin charging, stop there. The battery may be deeply discharged or in a protection state and could require a manufacturer-specific recovery procedure.

If your lithium golf cart is completely dead and the charger will not start, the battery may have become deeply discharged. When this happens, the Battery Management System (BMS) may enter a protection or sleep state and the cart's normal charger may not be able to initiate a charge.

First, confirm the charger has power, the outlet is working and all charging connections are fully seated. If your cart has a main power switch or battery power button, verify that it is in the correct position.

If the cart still will not power on or accept a charge, don't attempt to jump the lithium battery, bypass the BMS or use a charger that isn't designed for your battery. Recovery procedures vary by battery manufacturer and cart.

Contact Freedom Custom Carts with your cart's make, model and battery information. We can help determine the correct next step and whether the battery requires a wake-up or recovery procedure.

If your golf cart has a dead battery and needs to be moved, the correct way to place it in neutral, tow mode or release the electronic brake depends on the make and model.

Some carts have a manual tow/run switch or mechanical brake release, while newer carts may use an electronic parking brake or a specific procedure to disengage the drivetrain.

Do not force the cart to roll. Moving a cart without properly releasing the brake or drivetrain can damage components.

Select your cart's brand and model for the correct procedure. Freedom Custom Carts is building step-by-step instructions and video walkthroughs for the carts we sell and service.

Regular maintenance helps keep your golf cart safe, reliable and performing the way it should. Maintenance schedules vary by manufacturer, model and how the cart is used, and some manufacturers recommend service more frequently than once a year.

At Freedom Custom Carts, we recommend following the manufacturer's service schedule for your specific cart along with routine inspections to identify wear or developing issues.

Depending on your cart and service interval, maintenance may include inspecting the brakes, steering and suspension, checking tires and tire pressure, inspecting electrical and charging components, checking lights and accessories, tightening hardware and performing other manufacturer-recommended services.

Freedom Custom Carts also offers annual maintenance service to make routine ownership easier. You can drop your cart off at one of our locations, or we offer pickup and delivery for annual maintenance.

Preventive maintenance can help catch smaller issues before they become larger repairs and keep your cart ready when you need it.

A few simple checks between professional services can help keep your golf cart safe, reliable and performing properly.

Check your tire pressure regularly. Proper inflation helps with handling, ride quality, tire wear and range. Use the recommended PSI for the tires installed on your cart rather than assuming every golf cart uses the same pressure.

Look over your tires and wheels. Watch for uneven wear, damage, low tread or anything that looks loose or unusual.

Test your lights and safety equipment. Periodically check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals, horn, mirrors and seat belts, especially if you regularly drive in your neighborhood or on public roads where permitted.

Pay attention to how the cart feels and sounds. New squeaks, vibrations, steering changes, unusual brake feel or noises are worth addressing before they develop into larger problems.

Keep the cart and charging area clean and dry. Periodically inspect the charging cord, plug and visible connections for damage, and follow the proper charging practices for your battery system.

Most importantly, don't ignore changes in the way your cart drives, charges or operates. If something doesn't seem right, having it checked early can often prevent a larger repair.

One of the best things about owning a golf cart is making it fit the way you actually use it. While accessories vary by customer, wheels and tires are one of the most popular upgrades we see at Freedom Custom Carts.

A new wheel and tire setup can completely change the look of a cart and, depending on the setup, can also change ride characteristics, ground clearance and how the cart performs for its intended use.

Other popular additions include enclosures, golf bag attachments, storage solutions, coolers, sound systems and other comfort and convenience accessories.

Before adding accessories, it's worth looking at what's already included with your cart. Many newer models come well equipped from the factory, and we'll help you choose upgrades that actually make sense for how you plan to use it.

If you're purchasing a new cart, we can also have accessories installed before delivery so it's set up the way you want from day one.

There isn't one range number that applies to every golf cart. Range depends on the battery size and condition, cart model, passenger load, speed, terrain, temperature, tire and wheel setup, accessories and how the cart is driven.

Two carts with similar batteries can have very different real-world range depending on how and where they're used. Hills, higher speeds, heavier passenger loads and larger or more aggressive tires can all increase energy consumption.

When comparing carts, don't look at the advertised range number alone. Battery capacity, drivetrain efficiency and your actual driving habits all matter.

At Freedom Custom Carts, we'll help you compare the battery and range capabilities of different carts based on how you actually plan to use one — whether that's around the neighborhood, on the golf course or for longer community drives.

Start with how you plan to use the cart. Neighborhood driving, golf, longer community trips, hauling passengers and street use can all point you toward different carts.

Consider the battery and range, seating capacity, ride quality, performance, standard features, storage and accessories you actually need. If you'll be driving on public roads, it's also important to understand the difference between a Street Ready cart and a properly certified LSV / Street Legal vehicle.

Don't overlook warranty, parts availability and service after the sale. A golf cart is a vehicle you'll own and maintain for years, so having local support can be just as important as the features it has on day one.

Freedom Custom Carts carries multiple brands, which gives you the opportunity to drive and compare different carts side by side. Rather than telling you there's one “best” golf cart, we'll help you find the one that best fits how you'll actually use it.

Atlas carts use an automatic electronic parking brake. If the cart cannot be driven and needs to be moved or towed, the electronic parking brake must be properly released before attempting to move the cart.

To prepare an Atlas for towing:

1. Turn the ignition key to OFF.
   
2. Chock the wheels if necessary to prevent the cart from rolling.
   
3. Place the Forward / Neutral / Reverse selector (FNR) in Neutral (N).
   
4. Turn the main switch located under the front seat to OFF.
   
5. Under the seat, locate the red and black wire coming from the positive battery terminal on the lithium battery case and remove its plug cover.
   
6. Locate the nearby yellow and green wire labeled “EM brake” and disconnect it from the wire to which it is currently connected.
   
7. Connect the yellow and green EM-brake wire directly to the red and black wire coming from the positive battery terminal. This manually releases the electronic parking brake.
   
8. Once the brake is released and the cart can roll freely, remove the wheel chocks before moving it.
   

If the cart must actually be towed, Atlas specifies using a properly rated tow strap and keeping towing speed below 5 mph

Atlas golf carts are designed to enter a battery sleep mode after sitting unplugged for an extended period. On current Atlas models, the vehicle will automatically enter sleep mode after approximately 72 hours unplugged to help conserve battery charge.

If your Atlas has been sitting and appears completely dead, the battery may simply need to be awakened.

To wake the Atlas battery:

1. Make sure the cart is safely parked and the FNR selector is in Neutral (N).
   
2. Try connecting the cart to a standard 110V outlet using the onboard charging system.
   
3. If the battery does not wake automatically, lift the seat and locate the Battery Management System (BMS).
   
4. Press the red button, then press and hold the green button for approximately two seconds.
   
5. You should hear the solenoid make a click, indicating that the battery has awakened and the vehicle has returned to normal operation.
   

If the battery still will not wake or accept a charge, stop troubleshooting and contact Freedom Custom Carts so we can determine whether the battery is deeply discharged or another issue is preventing the cart from powering on.