Winter is right around the corner! For many of you, that means it’s almost time to put away the golf cart for the season. If you don’t properly take care of your golf cart in the off-season, you may very well be faced with a golf cart that won’t start in the spring. Cold weather climates can wreak havoc on certain golf cart components such as the batteries and cables. That’s why it’s so important to prepare your golf cart for the impending cold weather this winter. If you’re not sure how to properly winterize your golf cart, here is a step-by-step guide.
1.Clean Golf Cart and Batteries
- Using soap and water, remove all dirt from the body of the golf cart. Be sure to wipe it dry, to prevent rusting.
- Using a batter acid neutralizer, (1 cup of baking soda per 1 gallon of water), clean the battery packs and terminals. Use an old paintbrush if necessary to completely coat all terminals. After a few minutes, wash away solution using water, then dry the batteries completely with a towel.
2.Fill Golf Cart Tires
- Using a tire gauge, check the air pressure in each tire. Most carts require 18-20 Pounds per Square Inch (PSI).
- Add or remove air, based on air pressure reading.
- Add or replace any tires with leaks.
3.Battery Maintenance
- Remove battery caps and check the water levels in each battery. If necessary, fill the batteries with DISTILLED WATER ONLY.
- Cells should be a ¼ above the plates.
- Most chargers now are smart chargers and the cart can be left plugged in. I still would recommend charging the cart full and removing the charger, placing the cart in tow, chalk the tires and take off the parking brake. (edited)
4.Prepare for Winter
- Turn the key switch to off position. Remove the key and leave the forward/reverse switch in NEUTRAL position.
- Make sure the golf cart is secure, and release the parking brake. Leaving the parking brake on all winter will strain the battery cable.
- Put cart in tow for the winter. If your cart is an Icon/Epic make sure it is in the off position. (edited)
- Tighten all the battery cable connections
5.Cover Golf Cart
- If you can’t store your golf cart in a garage or barn, then be sure to protect it from the elements with a Golf Cart Enclosure.
- Be sure to come back once a month and check and recharge the batteries and fill water levels.
- If you can’t check the cart once a month, unplug the first battery cable from the golf cart. This will isolate the battery pack from the golf cart reducing engine drain.