Can You Use Synthetic Oil in Golf Cart? (Answered)

You may have been driving a golf cart around the neighborhood or to a local park. It is allowed to drive a golf cart on the road as long as you follow the speed limit. The most common point of confusion for most individuals is the oil type. Is the buzz around synthetic oil genuinely justified in a golf cart situation, or is there a better alternative? Let’s find out.

Can you use synthetic oil in golf cart?

Synthetic oils are well suited to golf carts, but before making any decisions, it’s always better to consult the manufacturer’s manual. Synthetic oil is more durable and safe than traditional oil, but if the engine is currently using regular oil, switching to synthetic may not be the best decision.

Ezgo golf cart:

When it comes to choosing the oil for your Ezgo golf cart, you have a lot of options. An ezgo golf cart will accept both synthetic and conventional oils as long as the viscosity of the oil is between 10w30 and 10w 40.

Yamaha golf cart:

Yamaha highly recommends that regular oils be used in their golf carts rather than synthetic oils. The uniquely designed splash system makes it ideal for non-synthetic oils to give optimal performance in Yamaha golf carts.

Club car golf cart:

The manufacturers of Club Car golf carts have placed a significant priority on obtaining the proper oil viscosity (10w30). It is therefore acceptable to use both synthetic and regular oils.

Synthetic vs non-synthetic, which one is better for a golf cart?

Fuel economy:

For many individuals, fuel economy is one of the most important deciding factors when it comes to synthetic versus non-synthetic oil. A golf cart’s fuel efficiency isn’t going to be that great, but it’s worth every penny. It’s a huge plus point if you get a few extra miles out of your golf cart with the same amount of oil. The non-synthetic oil’s viscosity ensures that it can withstand several combustion cycles. In the case of fuel economy, Non-synthetic oil is the clear winner, and it’s sure to last longer than synthetic oil.

Protecting the engine:

Fuel economy is a great differentiator, but it’s not worth it if the oil isn’t capable of providing sufficient protection or, even worse, if contaminants mixed in the oil cause engine disruption. The most significant disadvantage of non-synthetic oil is that it includes contaminants, which are normally safe, yet when it comes to a golf cart engine, it’s not always the case. Synthetic oil, on the other hand, is free of contaminants and contains specific additives for improved engine protection and performance.

Making a decision:

A non-synthetic oil will provide better fuel economy, won’t break down or oxidize as quickly when exposed to air, and is much more budget-friendly. Now, synthetic oil will provide superior protection against sludge buildup in the engine and will not cause any performance concerns, regardless of how cold or hot it is. It’s up to you to decide which one fits your needs.

What kind of oil should I use in my golf cart?

Given the numerous variables at play, providing a precise response to that question may be challenging. If you want to get the most mileage out of your golf cart, non-synthetic regular oil is your best bet, but it will not give enough protection against sludge buildup. If you choose synthetic oil for your golf cart, you will receive more protection against sludge accumulation, but you will have to compromise on mileage.

Because it’s difficult to provide a precise response, it’s best if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions or perform some trial and error with recommended oil brands.

How much oil does a golf cart take?

Filling up the tank of a golf cart takes anywhere from 1.2 to 1.5 liters of oil at a time. You can go up to 20 to 30 miles at a speed of 30 km/hr with a full tank. A quart of synthetic oil with a viscosity of 10w30 might cost anywhere from $7 and $15. If you are using non-synthetic oil for your golf, to fill up the full tank with 1.5 liters of oil (1 ½ quart) will cost you roughly $6 at most.

How often you should change your golf cart’s oil?

It all depends on the workload you put on the golf cart. If you use your golf cart every day and only go 6 to 7 miles or fewer, you should consider getting an oil change every three months. Another simple approach to remembering the oil change interval is to reach 500 miles.

That being said, if the golf cart is rarely used, waiting until reaching 600 to 650 miles will not have a significant impact on performance. It’s vital to note that a brand new golf cart will require an immediate oil change after 10 hours of driving, after which you may replace the oil every three or six months.

How to choose the Right Engine Oil for your Golf Cart?

Handbook:

it might be the most obvious thing to say, most people utterly ignore the instructions. The purpose of the manufacturer manual, warning label, and stickers is to make your choices easier and keep the golf cart safe.  You need to understand that golf cart engines aren’t similar to a regular car’s combustion engine.

The car engine might not show any decline in performance despite mixing oils or changing one brand to another, the manufacturer will have modified the system, adding more filtration and enhancing the transmission system, but for golf carts, it’s a completely different picture.

Most golf cart engines can’t handle mixed oils or sudden shifts from one type to another oil. Golf carts aren’t considered a necessary mode of transportation, so modification and new innovative features are rarely seen in them. Sticking with the manufacturer’s manual will at least give you safe travel and increase the longevity of the cart.

Workload:

The workload on a golf cart will play a big role in deciding what kind of oil to use. If you only use the golf cart on rare occasions, or once or twice a month, synthetic oil will suffice. However, if the cart is used frequently, ordinary non-synthetic oil is the wiser choice. Synthetic oil has a hard time retaining viscosity, which is a serious setback if your cart is undergoing a significant amount of workload. 

Correcting mistakes:

Let’s say you bought a used golf cart or you’re now driving and caring for a relative’s golf cart and you discover they’ve been using the wrong sort of oil for a long time, or the viscosity doesn’t meet the manufacturer’s recommendations. In such cases, it’s best not to correct the faults. It’s a highly debatable issue but most would say sticking to the past routine even if it was a poor judgment will save you from a lot of trouble.

A sudden oil change or any difference in viscosity will surely lead to a lot of performance issues for the engine. However, if you are changing major components of your golf cart engine then it’s better to start following the manufacturer’s handbook and choose the right oil for the cart.

Final thoughts

Synthetic oils are regarded for providing superior protection, and ideally suited for golf cart engines. However, if the golf cart is used to operate on standard oil, shifting to synthetic oil may create a disturbance. Reading the manufacturer’s manual may assist you in making the best selection.