Winter Storage and Maintenance Tips for Golf Carts
Prepare for a Successful 2025 Season
As the Scandinavian golf season comes to an end, now is the perfect time to ensure your fleet of golf carts is properly stored and maintained for the winter. Taking the right steps during the off-season not only extends the life of your carts but also ensures they are ready for efficient golf cart operation when the 2025 season begins.
Below are essential tips for winter storage and maintenance, along with strategic ideas on how to optimize your golf cart rental and keyless fleet management strategy for the upcoming year.
Before diving into specific steps, always consult your golf cart manufacturer’s manual for model-specific guidance on winter storage and maintenance. Each cart has unique needs, and following the manufacturer’s instructions ensures optimal performance and safety.
Winter Storage Tips for Golf Carts
Gas-Powered Golf Carts
Empty the fuel tank or use a stabilizer: Over time, gasoline can deteriorate, leading to clogged fuel lines and engine issues. You can either drain the tank entirely or add a fuel stabilizer to prevent this from happening. Stabilizers prevent the fuel from breaking down and ensure a cleaner start next season.
Change the oil: Dirty or contaminated oil can corrode internal components. Changing the oil before storage helps prevent damage and keeps the engine in top condition.
Disconnect the battery: Gas-powered carts still have batteries, and it’s important to disconnect them to avoid unnecessary discharge during winter. Store the battery in a cool, dry place, but avoid freezing temperatures.
Check and inflate tires: Make sure all tires are inflated to their proper PSI. This prevents flat spots from forming while the cart sits idle for months.
Cover with a breathable cover: A waterproof cover might seem ideal, but using a breathable cover is better for preventing moisture build-up, rust, or mildew while still protecting from dust and debris.
Lead-Acid Battery Golf Carts
Fully charge the batteries: Charging to full capacity before storage helps avoid sulfation, a common cause of battery failure. Sulfation occurs when batteries discharge and sulfate crystals form, damaging the battery.
Check water levels: For lead-acid batteries, check electrolyte levels and top off with distilled water if necessary. Do this before storage, and make sure the water covers the plates inside the battery.
Monthly trickle charge: To keep the batteries healthy during the off-season, charge them once a month using a trickle charger. This maintains the charge without overloading the battery.
Disconnect the battery or use a disconnect switch: Just like gas-powered carts, lead-acid batteries should be disconnected during storage to prevent draining.
Store in a ventilated area: Lead-acid batteries can emit gas, so it’s essential to store them in a well-ventilated area to prevent any risk of gas buildup.
Lithium Battery Golf Carts
Charge to 50-80%: Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries perform better when stored at partial charge, typically around 50-80%. Avoid fully charging or fully discharging them before winter.
Avoid extreme temperatures: Lithium batteries should be stored at temperatures above freezing, ideally between 5°C and 20°C (41°F to 68°F). Extreme cold or heat can reduce their lifespan.
Disconnect the battery: Similar to other carts, it’s best to disconnect the battery to prevent unnecessary discharge during the off-season.
Check for firmware updates: Some lithium batteries have smart management systems. Check with your manufacturer to see if there are firmware updates that can improve battery performance, balancing, or protection systems.
General Maintenance Tips for All Carts
Thorough cleaning: Clean all carts thoroughly before storing them. Dirt, salt, and other debris can corrode metal parts and damage finishes over time. Pay special attention to the undercarriage.
Lubricate moving parts: Grease and lubricate key moving parts such as the steering column, suspension, and brake system to prevent rust and ensure smooth operation next season.
Check and tighten bolts and screws: During cleaning and maintenance, inspect for any loose bolts or screws. Tighten or replace them as needed to prevent unnecessary wear and tear.
Store indoors if possible: An indoor storage space offers superior protection from the elements. If indoor storage is not available, cover the carts with high-quality, breathable covers and make sure they are sheltered from harsh weather conditions.
Periodic inspection: Check on the carts once or twice during the winter months to ensure that nothing has been damaged and that the batteries remain in good condition.
Breaking System: Inspect braking pads, Test the brakes, inspect brake lines and if needed clean and lubricate brake components
Tips to Make Your Golf Carts Even Better for 2025
Once your carts are safely stored for winter, consider the following upgrades and improvements to enhance their performance and extend their lifespan when the next season arrives:
Upgrade to energy-efficient lithium batteries: If your fleet still uses lead-acid batteries, consider upgrading to lithium batteries. Lithium batteries are lighter, charge faster, last longer, and require less maintenance. Plus, they’re more environmentally friendly.
Install GPS or EAGL Fleet Management: Equip your carts with EAGL to monitor usage, optimize routing, and prevent theft. Some systems can even alert staff if a cart leaves a designated area.
Invest in keyless entry systems: A keyless golf cart system eliminates the need for physical keys and streamlines the rental process. Players can simply unlock and access carts via an app, making operations smoother and more efficient.
Replace worn-out parts: Winter is a good time to inspect and replace any worn-out components such as tires, seats, or steering wheels. Upgrading these parts can extend the life of your carts and improve the user experience.