How to Winterize Your Golf Cart

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Quick Answer

• Give your golf cart a thorough cleaning, inside and out.
• Charge the battery fully and disconnect it for storage.
• Use a quality cover to protect it from the elements.

Who This Is For

• Golf cart owners who live in areas with harsh winter weather.
• Anyone planning to store their golf cart for an extended period during the off-season.

What to Check First

• Battery Charge and Health: Check your battery’s voltage and ensure it’s fully charged. Consult your manual for specific recommendations. A weak battery is a prime candidate for failure during storage.
• Tire Pressure: Inspect your tires. Underinflated tires can develop flat spots. Refer to your owner’s manual or the tire sidewall for the correct PSI.
• Fuel Level (Gas Carts): If you have a gas-powered cart, a full tank of fuel treated with a stabilizer is the best bet. This minimizes air space, reducing condensation.

Step-by-Step Plan for How to Winterize Your Golf Cart

1. Action: Perform a deep clean of the entire golf cart.

What to look for: Dirt, mud, salt residue, leaves, and any other grime clinging to the body, undercarriage, and wheels.
Mistake to avoid: Skimping on this step. Leaving contaminants on the cart’s surface can lead to corrosion and permanent damage, especially in humid winter environments. I once saw a cart that looked like it was growing moss after a winter left uncleaned.

2. Action: Clean and protect the interior and upholstery.

What to look for: Stains, spills, crumbs, and general debris on seats, floor mats, and dashboard surfaces.
Mistake to avoid: Using harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners. These can strip protective coatings, fade fabrics, or even damage vinyl. Stick to mild soap and water or specialized upholstery cleaners for best results.

3. Action: Inspect and prepare the tires.

What to look for: Signs of wear, cracks, bulges, or embedded objects. Ensure the tires are clean.
Mistake to avoid: Storing the cart with underinflated tires. This is a fast track to developing stubborn flat spots that can compromise ride quality and potentially shorten tire life.

4. Action: Address the battery system, a critical step for winterizing your electric golf cart.

What to look for: Verify the battery is fully charged. For electric carts, it’s best to disconnect the negative battery terminal to prevent any slow drain. If you have a battery tender or trickle charger, connect it now.
Mistake to avoid: Leaving a discharged battery to sit idle for months. This can lead to sulfation, which permanently degrades the battery’s capacity and ability to hold a charge. For gas carts, ensure the 12V battery is fully charged and consider disconnecting it as well.

5. Action: For gas-powered models, add fuel stabilizer.

What to look for: A high-quality fuel stabilizer designed to prevent fuel degradation and gum formation during long-term storage.
Mistake to avoid: Storing a gas cart with a nearly empty fuel tank. The empty space in the tank allows condensation to form, which can lead to rust in the tank and fuel lines, causing significant issues down the road. Fill it up and add the stabilizer.

6. Action: Take measures to deter pests.

What to look for: Any potential entry points for rodents or insects, such as exhaust pipes, air intakes, or openings in the body panels.
Mistake to avoid: Leaving openings accessible to critters. For gas carts, stuff clean rags into the exhaust pipe and air intake to block entry. For electric carts, check for any openings in the motor or battery compartments.

7. Action: Securely cover your golf cart.

What to look for: A durable, breathable, and well-fitting cover that will protect against dust, moisture, UV rays, and light debris.
Mistake to avoid: Using a flimsy tarp that traps moisture or doesn’t fit snugly. A cover that traps humidity can encourage mold, mildew, and rust. Look for covers specifically designed for golf carts that allow for some air circulation.

8. Action: Store the golf cart in an appropriate location.

What to look for: A dry, sheltered area, ideally a garage, shed, or under a sturdy carport. Avoid areas prone to extreme temperature fluctuations or excessive moisture.
Mistake to avoid: Leaving the cart exposed to the elements. Snow, ice, heavy rain, and direct sunlight can all wreak havoc on your golf cart’s components and finish over the winter months.

How to Winterize Your Golf Cart: Essential Checks and Steps

Properly winterizing your golf cart is key to ensuring it starts up smoothly and remains in great condition when warmer weather returns. Beyond the basic cleaning and covering, there are specific checks that can save you headaches come spring.

• Inspect Wiper Blades and Seals: If your cart has a windshield, check the wiper blades for any cracking or stiffness. Ensure rubber seals around windows and doors are intact to prevent water intrusion. A little silicone spray on rubber seals can keep them supple.

• Check Brake Function: Before storage, ensure your brakes are functioning correctly. If you’re storing on a slight incline, engage the parking brake firmly.

• Lubricate Moving Parts: A light application of lubricant on pivot points, pedal linkages, and any other moving metal parts can prevent seizing during inactivity. Use a lubricant appropriate for outdoor equipment.

• Drain Water Reservoirs (if applicable): Some carts might have small water reservoirs for specific functions. Ensure these are drained to prevent freezing and damage.

• Clean Battery Terminals: For both gas and electric carts, inspect the battery terminals. Clean off any corrosion with a wire brush and apply a thin layer of dielectric grease to prevent future buildup. This ensures good electrical contact.

• Consider Tire Protection: If you’re concerned about flat spots, you can slightly over-inflate the tires beyond the recommended PSI for storage, or place the cart on blocks to lift the tires off the ground. This is more of an advanced tip but can be worthwhile for longer storage periods.

• Secure Loose Items: Remove any personal items, golf accessories, or tools from the cart. These can attract pests or become damaged themselves.

Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Neglecting to clean the golf cart thoroughly.

Why it matters: Dirt, mud, and road salt can accelerate rust and corrosion, especially in damp winter conditions, leading to costly repairs and a diminished appearance.
Fix: Dedicate ample time to wash, rinse, and dry every surface, including hard-to-reach areas. A coat of wax after cleaning adds an extra layer of protection.

• Mistake: Leaving the battery connected and discharged.

Why it matters: Batteries naturally lose charge over time. If left discharged for an extended period, especially in cold temperatures, they can become permanently damaged and unable to hold a charge, requiring replacement.
Fix: Fully charge the battery and then disconnect the negative terminal. For optimal results, use a battery tender or trickle charger designed for long-term storage, or remove the battery and store it in a warmer, dry location.

• Mistake: Storing with low tire pressure.

Why it matters: Tires left underinflated for months can develop permanent flat spots where they contact the ground. This not only affects the ride but can also lead to premature tire wear.
Fix: Inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI before storing the cart. For very long storage, consider slightly over-inflating or placing the cart on blocks.

• Mistake: Forgetting to add fuel stabilizer to gas carts.

Why it matters: Gasoline degrades over time, leading to gumming and varnish deposits that can clog fuel lines, injectors, and carburetors. This results in poor performance and starting issues in the spring.
Fix: Fill the fuel tank nearly full with fresh gasoline, add a quality fuel stabilizer according to the product’s instructions, and then run the engine for 5-10 minutes to ensure the treated fuel circulates throughout the entire fuel system.

• Mistake: Using a non-breathable or ill-fitting cover.

Why it matters: A cover that traps moisture can create a humid microclimate around your cart, promoting mold, mildew, and rust formation on metal components. A loose cover can also let in wind and debris.
Fix: Invest in a high-quality, breathable, water-resistant golf cart cover. Ensure it fits snugly to prevent wind from getting underneath but allows for adequate air circulation.

• Mistake: Storing the cart in a damp or unprotected location.

Why it matters: Exposure to moisture, extreme temperature swings, and direct sunlight can damage the cart’s finish, upholstery, electrical components, and tires.
Fix: Store your golf cart in a dry, climate-controlled environment like a garage or shed. If outdoor storage is unavoidable, use a robust carport and a high-quality cover.

FAQ

• How often should I check on my golf cart during winter storage?

It’s a good practice to inspect your cart at least once a month. Look for any signs of pest intrusion, moisture buildup, or potential battery issues. This allows you to catch problems early.

• What kind of cover is best for winter storage?

The ideal cover is durable, water-resistant, and breathable. It should fit snugly to prevent wind from lifting it but allow air to circulate, preventing condensation and mold growth. Materials like polyester or treated canvas are good options.

• Should I disconnect the battery for winter storage?

Yes, absolutely. For electric carts, disconnecting the negative terminal prevents a slow, parasitic drain that can weaken the battery over time. For gas carts, it’s also recommended to disconnect the 12V battery to prevent drain from onboard electronics.

• Can I leave my golf cart outside uncovered for the winter?

It is strongly advised against leaving your golf cart uncovered outdoors during winter. Exposure to snow, ice, heavy rain, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations can cause significant damage to the paint, upholstery, tires, and critical electrical components.

• What if I have a gas golf cart? Do I need to do anything different than an electric one?

Yes, for gas carts, the primary additional step is to treat the fuel system. Fill the tank nearly full with fresh gasoline, add a quality fuel stabilizer, and run the engine for a few minutes to circulate the treated fuel. For electric carts, the focus is primarily on battery maintenance.

• Do I need to put the golf cart up on blocks for winter storage?

While not always strictly necessary, placing your golf cart on blocks can be beneficial, especially for longer storage periods or if your tires are older. This lifts the tires off the ground, eliminating pressure on the contact points and preventing the formation of flat spots.

• Can I leave my electric golf cart plugged in if it’s an electric model?

For extended storage, it’s generally recommended to fully charge the battery and then disconnect it. However, many modern golf cart chargers come with a “maintain” or “trickle” mode that can keep the battery topped up without overcharging. Always refer to your specific charger’s manual for best practices.

Sources:

• Winterizing Your Electric Golf Cart