Yes, a golf cart can technically jump-start a car, but it is not recommended and carries significant risks if done incorrectly. The primary challenge is the vast difference in electrical systems. Most modern cars use a 12-volt system, while the majority of golf carts operate on a 36-volv or 48-volt system. Connecting a higher-voltage golf cart battery directly to a car's 12-volt system can cause catastrophic damage to the car's sensitive electronics, including the Engine Control Unit (ECU).
The safer method involves using only a single 12-volt battery from the golf cart's pack. Many golf carts have multiple 6-volt batteries wired in series. By carefully identifying the positive and negative terminals of just one battery, you can use it as a standalone 12-volt source. However, the cold cranking amps (CCA)—a measure of starting power—of a golf cart battery are typically much lower than those of a car battery. It might work for a small 4-cylinder engine with a marginally depleted battery but will likely fail on a larger engine.
| Vehicle/Battery Type | Typical System Voltage | Typical Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) | Suitability for Jump-Starting a Car |
|---|
| Standard Car Battery | 12V | 400 - 800 CCA | Designed for the task |
| Large Truck/SUV Battery | 12V | 600 - 1000 CCA | Designed for the task |
| Standard Golf Cart Battery (single 6V) | 6V | ~150 - 200 CCA | Not suitable alone |
| Two Golf Cart Batteries (in series for 12V) | 12V | ~150 - 200 CCA | May work for small engines only |
| Lithium-ion Golf Cart | 48V/72V | Varies | Extreme risk of damage, do not attempt |
The correct procedure, if you must attempt it, is identical to a standard jump-start: connect positive to positive, and connect the negative cable to an unpainted metal ground on the car's engine block, not to the dead battery's negative terminal. This is a last-resort solution. For safety and reliability, using a portable jump starter pack or a proper car-to-car jump is always the better choice to avoid damaging both vehicles.
