Golf Car Options Magazine March 2020 GCOptions Mar20 MAGZTER | Page 33

How To Winterize Your Golf Cart Wash your golf cart: Your golf cart probably picked up quite a bit of dirt and grime during the season. Failing to remove this before storing your golf cart can result in corrosion. A thorough wash before storing can greatly increase the longevity of your golf cart. Have an adequate storage loca- tion: Do you have a dry, warm and spacious place to store your golf cart? If you don’t have a space like this at your house, you may need to look into storage rental opportunities. Also keep an eye out for insects and ro- dents, as these roommates can wreak havoc on your golf cart. Charge the batteries: If you have an electric golf cart, keep- ing your batteries adequately charged throughout the winter is crucial. We recommend that you charge your golf cart at least once a month during the winter to keep it from discharg- ing too much. Turn off the controller: If possi- ble, turn off the controller. This will greatly reduce the batteries drain. Store the charger indoors: Speaking of charging, be careful leaving the charger with the golf cart. Even if you have an ideal storage location, leaving the charger with the cart makes the risk of damage increases. Keep your charger inside your home where it will be protected from the winter elements. Fill the tires: Cold weather re- duces tire pressure. Make sure you fill up your tires before stor- ing your golf cart of the winter. Add stabilizer to the fuel: If your golf cart is gas you will want to add a stabilizer to the fuel. This will ensure the gas in the cart doesn’t deteriorate during the winter months. How To Get Your Golf Cart Ready For Spring There is no better feeling than taking your golf cart out of win- ter storage. Whether you plan to hit the golf course or just ride around town, that first ride of the spring is special. You may be tempted to skip the neces- sary steps that ensure your golf cart is ready for spring. This is a mistake many golf cart owners make. Below are the steps you should take before your first ride of spring. As long as you properly prepared your golf cart for winter, this process will take no time at all! Check your battery and connec- tions for corrosion and other damage: If you notice corrosion, use baking soda and water to gently clean it. If the damage seems more significant you should seek help from a trained professional. Tighten the battery connections: If your batteries are giving you trouble, such as starting unpre- dictably or moving slowly, it may be time to replace them. Before doing so you should check the battery cables, making sure the connections are tight. A loose connection might be the source of the problem. Loose connections or bad cables will also burn the battery post up so make sure to check the connec- tions even if your golf cart starts right up without issue. Check the tire pressure: Time and changes in temperature will both affect your tire pres- sure. Give your pressure a quick check and add/remove air accordingly. Check the battery water level: Before attempting to charge your battery for the spring, ensure that you have the right amount of water covering the cells. Add some distilled water until it just barely covers the cells, if necessary. Failing to have a proper battery water level can cause issues when charging. Keep Reading: Electric Golf Cart Battery Maintenance Tips Charge the battery: Hopeful- ly, you have been routinely charging your battery through- out the winter months. Doing so will help to keep your battery in tip-top shape. Give it one more full charge when you take it out of storage. Check brakes and brake pads: Brake failure is one of the num- ber one causes for golf cart ac- cidents. Keep in mind that your brakes will only work as well as your tires do. If your tires are showing signs of wear and tear you will want to replace them. Consider investing in profes- sional service: If you aren’t the DIY type, you may want to find a local professional that can prop- erly service your golf cart and get it ready for the spring. One major benefit of this is peace of mind. If you follow these simple pre-season tips you will be sure to have a trouble-free season with your cart. Proper main- tenance will greatly increase the longevity of your golf cart, meaning this season won’t be your last! MARCH 2020 33