ACG T SPORT NEV User manual

2012 Owner’s Manual
T SPORT NEV
Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV)
This Manual is effective as of July 1, 2011

T SPORT NEV
Manufactured by:
American Custom Golf Cars, Inc. (ACG)
15740 El rado Rd.
Chino, CA 91710 USA
[phone]
[phone] fax
www.acgcars.com
Notice
The American Custom Golf Cars, Inc., “ACG Limited Warranty” for owners of the
T SPORT NEV is included with this manual.
No other warranties, expressed or implied, are contained herein.
ACG and your authorized re resentative checked this vehicle before it was
delivered to you.
This vehicle does conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS #500 for LSV
(low-s eed vehicles) as of date of manufacture, and is equi ed for o eration on ublic
streets and roads.
While the vehicle conforms to FMVSS #500 for low-s eed vehicles you must still check
your individual state laws to make sure there are no other additional requirements to make
your vehicle eligible for o eration on ublic streets or roads.
T SPORT NEV meets the minimum requirements for LSV as s ecified in FMVSS #500
for low-s eed vehicles, as of date of manufacture as shown on the vehicle’s “Certification
Label”.
ACG is not liable for any additional requirements or modifications that your individual state
may require.
ACG is not liable of errors in this manual or for incidental or consequential damages that
result from the use of the material in this manual. The information contained in this
document including the warranty information contained in se arate “Warranty” document is
subject to change without notice.
ACG reserves the right to make design and equi ment changes to vehicles without
obligation to make these changes on units sold rior to the changes being made.
Throughout this manual, the words “LSV” or “NEV” and “vehicle” are used interchangeably.
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Table of Contents
Notice……………………………………………………………………………......…… 2
Table of Contents………………………………………………………………......…… 3
Foreword…………………………………………………………………………......….. 4
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………...…. 5
ABOUT THIS MANUAL…………………………………………………………....…… 5
Insurance Notice…………………………………………………………………...…… 6
Warranty Registration……………………………………………………………...…… 6
General Warnings…………………………………………………………………...….. 7
SAFE OWNERSHI OF ACG NEV………………………………………………..…. 9
Cautions, Warnings and Notes……………………………………………………....… 10
Driving and Alcohol................................................................................................. 11
Safety Information.................................................................................................. 12
Roll over Warning................................................................................................... 14
Controls and Indicators…………………………………………………………..….…. 15
Key S itch……………………………………………………..…….……............….... 15
Direction Control S itch (D-N-R)……………………………………............….….… 16
Accelerator Pedal……………………………………………..…………….…............. 18
Brake Pedal…………………………………………………………..……............…… 19
Park Brake Pedal……………………………………………………..……............….. 19
Light S itch………………………………………………………….……….............… 20
Turn Signal Lever S itch…………………………….…………….……….............… 21
Display Panel…………………………………………………………….….................. 22
Turn Signal Directional Indicators…………………………………….............…….... 23
Horn Button............................................................................................................ 24
Locking Glove Boxes……………………………………………………..........….…… 25
Accessory Outlet………………………………………………..…………..........…….. 26
Cup Holders........................................................................................................... 27
Safety Belts……………………………………………………………………………… 28
Trans orting Pets................................................................................................... 34
Tires & Wheels…………………………………………………………………………. 35
Tire Changing and Jacking Points……………………………………………………. 38
Brakes……………………………………………………………………………………. 39
Pre-O eration and Daily Safety Checklist…………………………………….....…… 41
Performance Ins ection……………………………………………………………....... 42
Driving Instructions…………………………………………………………………....... 43
Starting the Vehicle……………………………………………………...............…….. 45
Stopping or slo ing the Vehicle…………………………………………................… 45
Parking and Leaving the Vehicle………………………………………...............…… 45
Batteries…………………………………………………………………………...…….. 46
Battery Care…………………………………………………………………… 46
Battery Inspection & Maintenance………………………………………….. 47
INSPECTION………………………………………………………………….. 47
CLEANING……………………………………………………………………. 48
WATERING……………………………………………………………………. 49
Charging Batteries……………………………………………………………. 51
Battery Replacement…………………………………………………………. 52
Battery Disposal………………………………………………………....……. 52
Periodic Maintenance…………………………………………………………...……… 54
DAILY TASKS…………………………………………..…………………...........……. 54
MONTHLY TASKS……………………………………………………….............……. 55
Cleaning................................................................................................................. 56
Transport or To ing............................................................................................... 58
Consumer Information………………………………………………………………… 59
Reporting Safety Defects…………………………………………………… 59
S ecifications………………………………………………………………………….. 60
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Foreword
Thank you for choosing the T SPORT NEV for your local and community
trans ortation needs.
Please rotect your investment to make sure that your T SPORT NEV will rovide
you with years of reliable erformance.
Your safety is im ortant to us, so lease make sure that rior to o erating the
vehicle you have read the following instructions and warnings.
If you rent or loan your vehicle to others, lease make sure that they have read this
manual rior to o erating this vehicle.
Please consider this manual to be a ermanent art of this vehicle and if it is sold,
lease make sure that the new owner receives the manual so that they will have the
o erating information that it contains as well.
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Introduction
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
Thank you for urchasing your T SPORT NEV vehicle manufactured by:
American Custom Golf Cars, Inc. (ACG)
Your vehicle is designed to o erate exclusively on battery ower.
It is a “Zero Emission Vehicle” (ZEV).
The ideal a lication for a battery- owered Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV)
occurs when the daily driving attern is redictable and the distance is relatively
short.
The ACG com any objective includes customer safety and roduct satisfaction.
This “O ner’s Manual” is designed to acquaint you with the ro er and safe
o eration of your ACG vehicle.
Please take the time to read and understand the manual before o erating your
vehicle.
Maintenance schedules and general care instructions are included in the O eration
and Maintenance section.
This manual is a licable to the following ACG models:
2012 T SPORT NEV
If any questions arise after reading the manual, lease contact ACG Customer
Service at [phone].
Please have your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and date of urchase
information available.
NOTE:
All information and s ecifications in this “O ner’s Manual” are current at the time of
rinting. However, due to ACG’s olicy of continuous roduct im rovement, we
reserve the right to make changes, at any time, without written notice or obligation.
For the latest version lease visit www.acgcars.com, and click on About ACG, Current ACG
Owners, and Owners Manuals. Then select the Model and Model Year of your vehicle.
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Insurance Notice
Your Insurance may not provide coverage for accidents involving the use of
this vehicle. To determine if coverage is provided you should contact your
insurance company or agent.
Warranty Registration
The se arate “Warranty” document includes a “Warranty Registration Card”.
Your new T SPORT NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle) comes with a
Twenty-four (24) Month Limited Warranty.
The Warranty begins from the date that the T SPORT NEV is urchased from an
a roved Dealer or Distributor of American Custom Golf Cars, Inc. roducts,
rovided that the “Warranty Registration Card” is received by American Custom
Golf Cars, Inc. within 45 Days of the urchase date of the vehicle.
If the “Warranty Registration Card” is not received within 45 days of urchase
date, the Warranty commencement date will be the vehicle production date.
lease protect your Warranty and mail your “Warranty Registration Card”
today!
There are no other ex ressed warranties on your ACG vehicle beyond those set in
the accom anying “Warranty” document, and no im lied warranties of
merchantability or fitness to the full extent allowed by law.
ACG and its dealers shall not be liable for loss of use, inconvenience, lost time,
commercial loss or any incidental, consequential or other damages.
A se arate “Tire Registration Card” is rovided for Warranty and otential Tire
Recall cam aign, the Tire Registration is required by Federal Law under the TREAD
Act.
lease fill it out completely and mail it to ACG today!
Thank you !
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General Warnings _
1. This “O ner’s Manual” should be read com letely before attem ting to drive or
service the vehicle. Failure to follow the instructions in this manual could result in
. ro erty damage, severe ersonal injury, or death.
2. When charging the vehicle, be sure that the key switch is in the “OFF” osition.
If the key is left in the “ON“ osition, it may damage the charger or the NEV.
3. Your vehicle is equi ed with an on-board UL- listed charger. When charging
your NEV, lease be sure to use a ro er, grounded cord to rovide ower to
the charger. Please be sure to raise the Front Bench seat of the vehicle to allow
. for ventilation of the charger so that it does not overheat.
lease refer to the “CHARG NG PROCEDURES” manual for further
information on your NEV charging.
4. Always obey all traffic regulations when operating the vehicle.
5. When sto ing and leaving the vehicle:
a) Make sure vehicle has come to a com lete sto .
b) Switch “Direction Control S itch” to the “Neutral” osition N.
c) Engage the arking brake
d) Turn the “Key S itch” to “OFF” osition (vertical) and remove key.
6. Wear safety glasses or a roved eye rotection when servicing the vehicle.
Wear a full-face shield and rubber gloves when working with the batteries.
7. Use insulated tools when working around batteries or electrical connections.
Use extreme caution to avoid shorting of com onents or wiring.
8. Im ro er use of the vehicle or failure to ro erly maintain it could result in
decreased vehicle erformance or severe ersonal injury.
9. Any modification or change to the vehicle that affects the stability or handling
of the vehicle or increases maximum s eed beyond factory s ecifications, could
result in severe ersonal injury or death.
10. Prior to servicing Vehicle:
a. Chock the wheels.
b. Turn the “Key S itch” to “OFF“ osition and remove the key.
c. Disconnect battery cables, negative (--) cable first.
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WARNING!
1. If renting or loaning the vehicle, make sure that the driver is familiar with all
controls and o erating rocedures before allowing the vehicle to be driven.
2. Any modification or change to the vehicle that affects the stability or handling
of the vehicle, or increases maximum vehicle s eed beyond factory
s ecifications, could result in severe ersonal injury or death.
3. Do not switch the “Direction Control S itch” while the vehicle is moving.
To avoid damaging the vehicle or injuring an unsus ecting assenger, always
bring the vehicle to a full and com lete sto before switching from
D (Forward) to R (Reverse).
4. To avoid unintentionally starting or rolling the vehicle:
A). Set the “Parking Brake”,
B). Turn the “Key S itch” to the “OFF” osition (vertical),
C). Remove keys rior to leaving the vehicle.
WARNING!
Any modifications or alterations to this vehicle could seriously affect its road
worthiness and safety and may lead to an accident resulting in serious injury
or death.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on an electric vehicle. Take your vehicle to
your ACG dealer or call ACG Customer Service at [phone] for your
service needs.
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SAFE OWNERSHI OF ACG NEIGHBORHOOD ELECTRIC VEHICLES
ACG ure battery electric vehicles are different from vehicles you might be
accustomed to owning. S ecial recautions should be followed when owning and
o erating an ACG vehicle.
Please read this “O ner’s Manual” and ay articular attention to the Cautions and
Warnings in this Manual, as well as those laced on the vehicle in various locations.
In general, ACG NEV’s are designed to meet U.S. Federal Government safety
requirements for a s ecial class of vehicle known as “Low S eed Vehicles” (LSV).
By this very name, and im licit in these safety requirements, these vehicles are
intended only for use at low s eed, u to 25 m h, and on ublic roads (governed by
individual state laws) where the s eed limits are corres ondingly low.
S ecific to ACG vehicles, the following safe habits should always be followed:
• ACG vehicles are o en vehicles. For this reason, safety belts should always be
worn by all occu ants to revent being thrown from the vehicle during o eration.
If your ACG is equi ed with o tional canvas or lastic doors, these were designed
and are intended only to kee wind and water out of the vehicle and should not be
relied u on to kee occu ants in the vehicle or to rotect them in case of collision.
• ACG vehicles are not designed to meet any collision or roll-over requirements.
Therefore, you should always drive your ACG vehicle in a safe manner while being
alert to otential dangerous situations around you. As with all motor vehicles, never
drink alcohol and attem t to drive an ACG vehicle.
• O erate an ACG vehicle only on ublic or rivate roads where the s eed limits
are a ro riate for low s eed vehicles (individual state laws vary, so check with
your DMV) and the traffic is light.
• You should never o erate an ACG vehicle so that you are an obstacle and
become an annoyance for faster moving traffic.
• ACG vehicles are designed to be recharged from a standard household 120 VAC-
15 Ampere electrical outlet that is ground-fault rotected. Charging from a circuit of
lesser ca acity and/or using a cord from the outlet to the ACG vehicle that is not
sufficient in wire gauge (AWG) could create a fire hazard.
Please consult “Charging Procedures Manual” for the ro er extension cord gauge
which de ends on its length.
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• The voltage in an ACG vehicle battery ack (the battery ack is what you charge
and rovides the “fuel” to the ACG’s electric drive system) is 48 Volt DC and is
sufficient to cause death by electric shock - electrocution.
For this reason, ACG owners should NEVER attem t to do any maintenance or
re air work on their ACG vehicle’s electric drive system, including the battery ack,
unless they have had s ecial training. The one exce tion is ins ection and refilling,
if necessary, of the distilled water in flooded ty e batteries that can be ordered with
ACG vehicles.
• In this “O ner’s Manual”, the above safe ownershi and o eration habits will be
ointed out to you as the different as ects of owning and o erating an ACG vehicle
are ex lained. Please read, understand and abide by them for years of safe
o eration and enjoyment of your ACG Neig bor ood Electric Ve icle.
Warnings, Cautions and Notes
Throughout this “O ner’s Manual” you will find the words “WARNING!”
and “CAUTION!” These serve as reminders that attention is required.
“WARNING!”
Indicates an immediate hazard, which could result in an accident
causing bodily injury.
“CAUTION!”
Identifies something that could result in damage to your vehicle.
“NOTE”
Notes are for your information and to make rocedures more easily
understood.
“IM ORTANT !”
Im ortant notes are for your information and to make vehicle
functionality more easily understood. They need to be followed so that
vehicle o erates ro erly and as intended by design.
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Driving and Alcohol
Your ability to drive your ACG vehicle can be seriously im aired with
blood alcohol levels far below the legal minimum. If you are drinking
alcohol, don’t drive. Ride with a designated non-drinking driver, call a
cab, or use ublic trans ortation.
WARNING!
Driving after drinking alcohol can lead to an accident. Your erce tions are
less shar , your reflexes are slower, and your judgment is im aired when you
have been drinking. Never drink alcohol and drive.
WARNING!
Drinking alcohol can seriously im air your ability to o erate this vehicle.
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SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING!
Your vehicle is battery owered. If handled im ro erly, batteries can be
dangerous. Follow the recautions rovided on ages 47 to 53 during
charging o erations to avoid ersonal injury or damage to electrical
com onents in the vehicle.
• Read the Owner’s Manual before o erating this vehicle.
• Charge vehicle in a well-ventilated area only.
• Kee children away from the vehicle during charging.
• Batteries can emit ex losive hydrogen gases when charging. Kee
s arks and flames away from the battery area of the vehicle. Tools,
wires and metal objects can cause s arks when shorted across the
battery connections. Follow all instructions carefully when dealing
with batteries.
• The batteries in the ACG NEV are 8 volt lead acid batteries. They are
however connected in a ack configuration to roduce
HIGH VOLTAGE DC (48 volts).
These batteries are either Flooded electrolyte ty e or Gel electrolyte
ty e and are selected s ecifically to o timize the o eration and
erformance of your vehicle.
Never use or substitute any battery other than the original factory
approve batteries.
Electrolyte can leak from damaged or defective flooded batteries!
Avoid contact with skin, eyes or clothing.
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• Batteries contain acid, which can cause severe burns. If battery fluid
comes in contact with your skin, flush the affected areas with water for
at least 15 minutes and then seek medical assistance.
• Internal ingested: Get medical assistance as soon as ossible.
• Contact with eyes: Flush with water and get medical assistance as
soon as ossible. While you are being driven to get medical assistance,
continue to rinse your eyes by using a s onge or soft cloth saturated
with water.
CAUTION!
When checking the electrolyte level in flooded batteries, be careful to never
touch the battery terminals.
WARNING!
Battery osts, terminals, and related accessories contain lead and lead
com ounds.
Always wash hands after handling the battery.
WARNING!
Improper handling of high vol age wiring, ba eries, or con rol sys ems
could resul in serious or fatal injury by electric shock.
Only qualified technicians should re air or access high voltage wiring,
battery acks, and associated systems.
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Roll over Warning
Because of the higher center of gravity and the narrower track of this
vehicle, it may roll over when some other vehicles may not.
Do not attem t shar turns or abru t maneuvers or other unsafe driving
actions that can cause loss of vehicle control and ossible roll over.
Failure to o erate this vehicle safely may result in an accident, roll over,
and serious injury or death.
Because of its o en-body construction, your vehicle offers less
rotection than closed vehicles in the event of an accident.
CAUTION!
The to is not designed to carry any additional loads such as roof racks,
s are tires, building, hunting, or cam ing su lies, and/or luggage, etc.
Also, it was not designed as a structural member of the vehicle, and thus
cannot ro erly carry any additional loads other than environmental (rain,
snow, etc.)
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Controls and Indicators
Key Switch
The “Key S itch” is mounted on the dash to the right of the steering column.
It has two ositions:
1. OFF position- There is no ower to vehicle. (Key is Vertical as sho n in picture belo )
2. ON position- vehicle is ON and can be driven. (Key is turned clock ise 45 degrees)
WARNING!
Never turn the “Key S itch” to the “OFF” osition while the vehicle is
in motion. This could lead to loss of s eed control and loss of control
of the vehicle. This can cause a serious accident.
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Direction Control Switch
The “Direction Control S itch” is a 3 osition “rocker” switch that is located on the
vehicle dash anel to the right of the vehicle center and to the right of the “Lights
S itch”. The switch is labeled “Direction”.
There are three (3) distinct ositions: D, N and R and so indicated on label to the
Right of the switch.
(S itch sho n in ”Neutral” position)
1.) D Drive = FORWARD - To o erate the vehicle in the forward direction,
ress the rocker switch at the to  indicated by D, when the “Key S itch”
is in the “ON” osition (horizontal) the “Direction Control S itch” osition is
indicated on the vehicle dis lay by showing D at the to Left corner of the
dis lay.
2.) N NEUTRAL - When the switch is in the central osition the vehicle is in
“Neutral” and will not move when the accelerator edal is de ressed. When
the “Key S itch” is in the “ON” osition (horizontal) the “Direction Control
S itch” osition is indicated on the vehicle dis lay by showing N at the to
Left corner of the dis lay.
3.) R REVERSE - To o erate the vehicle in the reverse direction, ress the
rocker switch at the bottom  indicated by R, when the “Key S itch” is in
the “ON” osition (horizontal) the “Direction Control S itch” osition is
indicated on the vehicle dis lay by showing R at the to Left corner of the
dis lay. Your vehicle has been equi ed with a reverse warning bee er so
that when the vehicle is in reverse you will hear a loud bee ing sound which
is signaling that it is in “Reverse”.
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CAUTION!
Always bring the vehicle to a com lete sto before changing the
osition of the “Direction Control S itch”.
IMPORTANT!
The vehicle “Direction Control Switch” MUST be ini ially in he neu ral N
cen ral posi ion when you firs urn he “Key Switch” o he “ON”
posi ion; hereaf er you can selec forward drive D or he reverse R .
The car will no move unless you firs s ar in neu ral N !
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Accelerator edal
The “Accelerator Pedal” is the edal on the right, with the word “GO” molded into it.
The o eration of the accelerator edal differs from that of an Automobile. When the
“Key S itch” is in the “ON” osition, de ressing the accelerator edal will release
the arking brake. As the accelerator edal is de ressed s eed will increase until
full s eed is reached. When you release the accelerator edal the ower to the
motor is cut OFF and the motor will sto running causing the vehicle to coast.
WARNING!
The NEV will not stop automatically when the “Accelerator Pedal” is released.
You must depress the “Brake Pedal” in order for the vehicle to come to a
stop or to slow down rapidly.
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Brake edal
The “Brake Pedal” is the large edal on the left with the word “STO ” molded into it.
To slow or sto the vehicle, release the “Accelerator Pedal” and then de ress the
brake edal with your foot until the NEV has come to a com lete sto or the vehicle
has slowed to your desired s eed.
ark Brake edal
The “Park Brake Pedal” is the small raised ortion in the u er left corner of the
“Brake Pedal”. It has the word “ ARK” molded into it.
To set the ark brake, de ress the “Brake Pedal” firmly and tilt the ark brake
ortion of the edal forward with your foot.
WARNING!
The “Park Brake” will release automatically when either the “Accelerator
Pedal” or “Brake Pedal” is depressed. The park brake has multiple locking
positions and should be firmly pressed and locked to prevent the vehicle
from rolling.
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Light Switch
The “Light S itch” turns the headlights and taillights on and off.
The “Light S itch” is located on the Dashboard to the right of the steering column
and to the right of center of the dashboard and to the left of the “Direction Control
S itch”. The switch is labeled “LIGHTS”.
It is also identified by SAE/ISO “Lights” icon.
It is a 2 osition switch:
1.) ON - When the to ortion of the switch is de ressed the lights are “ON”.
2.) OFF - When the bottom ortion of the switch is de ressed, the lights are “OFF”.
(Light s itch sho n in “OFF” position)
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