How To Measure Ground Speed; Engine Rpm Adjustment - Club Car Carryall 550 2015 Maintenance And Service Manual

FUEL SYSTEM: GASOLINE VEHICLES

HOW TO MEASURE GROUND SPEED

Best Method
An easy way to check ground speed is by using a GPS device or smartphone application (app). If these are not
available, use the alternate method below.
Alternate Method (Calculated)
Ground speed is easily determined by a known distance travelled, divided by the amount of time it took to travel that
known distance (Rate = Distance/Time).
1. Establish a known distance to travel (example: 100 ft. (30.5 m) in a safe location using cones or other type of
marker.
2. Drive vehicle and bring to maximum speed before reaching the first cone.
3. Using a stopwatch, record the amount of time it takes to travel from the first cone to the second cone at maximum
speed.
4. With distance and time determined, calculate ground speed:
4.1. Rate in seconds: Divide distance (100 ft (30.5 m)) by time (5 seconds) = 20 ft/sec (6.1 m/sec).
4.2. Convert seconds to hour: Multiply 20 ft/sec (6.1 m/sec) by 3600 (the number of seconds in an hour) =
72000 ft/hour (21960 m/hour)
4.3. Convert to MPH: Divide 72000 ft/hour by 5280 (number of ft in 1 mile) = 13.64 miles/hour
Convert to KPH: Move the decimal point over three places; 21960 m/hour = 21.96 km/hour

ENGINE RPM ADJUSTMENT

DANGER
• Do not operate gasoline vehicle in an enclosed area without proper ventilation. The engine produces
carbon monoxide, which is an odorless, deadly poison.
1. If governor is adjusted, proceed to step 2; otherwise, adjust governor. See Governor Cable Installation and
Adjustment on page 23-9.
2. Connect battery and spark plug wire(s). See Connecting the Battery – Gasoline Vehicles, Section 1, Page 1-4.
3. Measure vehicle ground speed. See How to Measure Ground Speed on page 23-13.
4. Compare measured ground speed with forward ground speed specified in Section 2 – Vehicle Specifications.
5. If adjustment is necessary, use the following procedures:
5.1. To reduce RPM, loosen the accelerator cable jam nut on the outside of the electrical component box and
tighten the jam nut on the inside of the box until specified ground speed is reached (Figure 23-10, Page
23-11). See Section 2 – Vehicle Specifications.
5.2. To increase RPM, loosen the jam nut inside the electrical component box and tighten the jam nut outside
the box until specified ground speed is reached.
5.3. Be sure both jam nuts are locked against the electrical component box and check ground speed again. If
ground speed needs to be adjusted, repeat previous step. See following NOTE.
NOTE: If more adjustment is required than the cable housing will allow, make sure the spring fitting on the other end
of the accelerator cable is properly installed. Excessive drive belt and clutch wear can also prevent proper
ground speed adjustment. Check them for excessive wear. See Section 25 – Clutches: Gasoline Vehicles.
2015 Carryall 550 Maintenance and Service Manual
Engine Control Linkages
Page 23-13
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