【Full Guide】How To Keep Your Golf Cart Stored For Winter
As winter approaches, it’s important to prepare your golf cart for the off-season. Proper winter storage will not only protect your investment but also ensure your golf cart is ready to go when spring arrives. Without adequate care, cold temperatures and months of inactivity can lead to battery issues, rust, and other mechanical problems. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps for storing your golf cart safely during the winter months.
Table of Content
7 Steps To Store Your Golf Cart Properly
1. Clean Your Golf Cart Thoroughly
Before storing your golf cart for the winter, it’s essential to give it a thorough cleaning. Dirt, grime, and moisture can cause corrosion over time, especially during the colder months.
- Exterior: Start by washing the outside of your cart. Use mild soap and water, and don’t forget to rinse off any road salt or mud that may have accumulated. After washing, apply a coat of wax to help protect the body from moisture and rust during storage.
- Interior: Remove any debris from the seats, floor, and storage compartments. Wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth to prevent stains and mildew from developing.
- Undercarriage: Clean underneath the cart, paying special attention to the undercarriage. Dirt and mud stuck to the frame can trap moisture, leading to rust.
2. Battery Maintenance
Battery care is one of the most critical aspects of winter storage. Properly maintaining your battery during the off-season can prevent it from losing charge or suffering irreversible damage.
- Battery Storage Before Charging:
- Charge Fully Before Storage (Lead-Acid Battery): Make sure your lead-acid battery is fully charged before storing the cart. Lead acid batteries have high self-discharge rate, which is around 10%-15% per month. Storing a lead-acid battery in a deeply discharged state can lead to crystal formation, which diminishes its overall capacity. So it’s important to fully charge it before storage.
- Charge The Lithium Battery at 50% DOD: Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries have a much lower self-discharge rate, typically around 2-3% per month. For long-term storage, it's recommended to charge a lithium battery to about 50% depth of discharge (DOD). Storing at this level helps prolong the battery’s overall lifespan and keeps the internal chemistry stable. Avoid storing a lithium battery at full charge or fully discharged, as this can put unnecessary strain on the battery over time.
- Disconnect or Remove Battery: To prevent any power drainage during storage, disconnect the battery cables or remove the battery entirely. If storing indoors, ensure that the space is dry and well-ventilated.
- Storage Temperature: If you have a lithium battery, store it in a cool, dry place. Avoid freezing temperatures. Lead-acid batteries are more susceptible to cold, so ensure they are stored in a temperature-controlled environment.
- Check Battery Water Levels (for Lead-Acid Batteries): If your cart uses lead-acid batteries, check the water levels and refill them as necessary. Be sure to use distilled water, as tap water can lead to battery degradation.
LiTime 48V (51.2V) 30Ah GC2 Lithium Golf Cart Battery
3. Tire Care
Taking care of your tires is key to avoiding damage during winter storage. Proper inflation will help prevent flat spots that can occur if the cart is stationary for a long period.
- Inflate Tires: Ensure all tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. This will help distribute the weight evenly and prevent flat spots from developing over the winter.
- Jack Up the Cart (Optional): If you want to reduce the stress on your tires further, consider jacking up the cart so the tires don’t bear the full weight of the vehicle during storage. This can be particularly helpful if the cart will be stored for several months.
4. Fuel System (For Gas-Powered Carts)
If you have a gas-powered golf cart, winterizing your fuel system is an important step to prevent damage to the engine.
- Drain or Stabilize Fuel: You can either drain the fuel tank completely or add a fuel stabilizer to prevent the fuel from degrading over time. Draining is recommended if you expect to store the cart for more than three months, while a stabilizer works well for shorter periods.
- Oil Change: It’s a good idea to change the oil before long-term storage, as old oil can become sludgy and harm the engine. Clean oil will protect the engine parts during winter storage.
5. Parking and Covering Your Golf Cart
Where and how you park your golf cart can significantly impact its condition over the winter.
- Park in a Dry, Covered Space: Store your golf cart in a garage, shed, or any dry, covered area. Avoid parking it in open, moisture-prone areas, as exposure to the elements can lead to rust and other damage.
- Use a Weatherproof Cover: Invest in a weatherproof cover that fits your golf cart snugly. A good cover will protect your cart from dust, debris, moisture, and any pests that may try to make their home inside the cart during the off-season.
6. Inspect and Store Your Accessories
Golf cart accessories, such as electronics, mirrors, and lights, should also be taken care of before winter storage.
- Remove and Store Electronics: If your golf cart has electronic components like a GPS system, speakers, or additional lighting, remove these items and store them separately. This protects them from the cold and reduces the risk of battery drain.
- Check Lights and Mirrors: Before storing, check that all lights and mirrors are in good working order. If anything needs repair or replacement, now is the time to address it so you’re ready to hit the course in spring.
- Store Keys Separately: Always store your golf cart keys in a safe, secure location during the winter months. This ensures they won’t be misplaced or damaged.
7. Regular Check-Ins
Even though your cart is stored for the winter, it’s a good idea to check on it periodically to ensure everything is in good condition.
- Periodic Battery Maintenance: If possible, check the battery charge every 4-6 weeks and give it a small boost if necessary. This is particularly important for lead-acid batteries that can lose charge over time.
- Tire Pressure Check: Make sure the tire pressure remains at the recommended level throughout the winter to avoid damage when it’s time to bring the cart out of storage.
FAQs about Storing Golf Cart Batteries
Will your batteries lose charge by sitting for long periods in cold weather?
Yes, all batteries naturally self-discharge over time, but lithium batteries have a significantly better discharge rate compared to lead-acid batteries. Lithium batteries only lose about 2% of their charge per month, making them ideal for storage during winter. Lead-acid batteries, on the other hand, can discharge much faster.
If left unchecked, lead-acid batteries could fully discharge over the winter, potentially rendering them unable to be recharged when you need them in the spring. Temperature does affect the rate of discharge for any battery, but lithium-ion batteries experience minimal energy loss when stored. They can easily last an entire offseason or up to 12 months without needing attention.
Will leaving your charger connected all winter hurt your batteries?
While it's technically okay to leave lithium batteries connected to the charger over winter, the best practice is to unplug them and switch the vehicle to TOW mode. Many people forget to switch their vehicle to TOW mode after disconnecting, which can drain the battery over time.
Although some argue that it's fine to leave batteries plugged in, it’s generally not recommended for any battery-powered device to remain connected to a charger for extended periods. This principle applies to golf carts, smartphones, and any other electronic devices with rechargeable batteries.
Related reading: Should I Leave My Golf Cart Plugged In All The Time?
Charging in Cold Weather
Both lead-acid and lithium batteries require special care when charging in cold weather. As temperatures drop, batteries should be charged at a slower rate. For lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries, when charging in temperatures below 32°F, the charge current must be reduced to 0.1C.
If the temperature drops below 14°F, the charge current should be lowered to 0.05C to prevent permanent damage to the battery.
It's recommended to choose the battery with low-temperature protection for protecting the battery from damage. Visit LiTime Cold Weather Batteries for winter.
How often should you check your batteries during winter storage?
Since lithium golf cart batteries have a low discharge rate, they generally only need to be checked once every three months during winter storage. Lead-acid batteries, however, should be checked more frequently—every 2 to 3 weeks—to ensure they remain sufficiently charged. For instance, the LiTime lithium golf cart battery has a discharge rate of just 1%-3% per month, so there’s little need to charge it over the winter season.
Should you charge your batteries before storing them for winter?
For best results, lithium batteries should be partially charged to around 50% SOC before storage. Alternatively, you can fully charge them, but it’s important not to store batteries with a very low charge (<50% SOC). If you have an automatic charger, simply plug the battery in and let it charge until the charger turns off.
Related reading: Battery Voltage Chart Guide
Can you disconnect the batteries to avoid monthly maintenance?
Yes, disconnecting the batteries from the vehicle or other loads and turning them OFF during extended periods of non-use is a good practice. This ensures that the battery remains in optimal condition without requiring frequent maintenance. If storing your golf cart batteries separately from the vehicle, place them on a wooden pallet or shelf, rather than on the ground, to maintain their charge better and store them in a cool, dry area.
Best Batteries for Electric Golf Carts
Lithium batteries outperform lead-acid batteries in every aspect, significantly enhancing the overall experience of driving a golf cart. While lithium batteries come at a higher upfront cost, their long list of advantages makes them a worthwhile investment. Unlike lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries don't require water refills and can last up to 10 years, far surpassing the lifespan of a typical lead-acid battery.
One common misconception is that lithium batteries struggle in cold weather. While all batteries experience reduced performance in colder temperatures, LiTime LiFePO4 batteries still deliver about 90% of their rated capacity down to 32°F (0°C).
LiTime provides 36V and 48V lithium golf cart batteries for Club Car,Yamaha and EZGO.
With the right care, your electric golf cart will be in top condition when it comes out of winter storage. Using the proper equipment and taking necessary precautions can significantly extend the life of your cart's battery for years to come.
Easily Monitor Battery's State By Upgrading to Bluetooth Golf Cart Battery
With Bluetooth 5.0 integration, LiTime's 48V (51.2V) 100Ah lithium golf cart batteries offer a cutting-edge upgrade, featuring auto-connection, smart control, and real-time monitoring for an enhanced user experience. Built with top-tier EV grade-A Prismatic LiFePO4 cells, these batteries deliver 5120Wh of green energy and a 200A BMS, allowing your golf cart to handle larger surges and run more efficiently. The prismatic shell design ensures better heat dissipation and uniform force distribution, providing superior durability compared to similar battery cells.
The battery features with low-temperature protection, preventing charging below 32℉ to protect the battery and extend its life, resuming charging at 41℉, and cutting off discharging below -4℉.
A single LiTime 48V (51.2V) 100Ah lithium battery provides the same usable energy as six 6V 210Ah lead-acid batteries, but with significant advantages. It is 80% lighter and 50% smaller, making your golf cart more maneuverable, faster, and reducing wear and tear. Beyond performance, it’s also highly cost-effective, saving you over $320 per year in capital and maintenance costs.
Storing the golf cart battery in winter is a challange, hope this article helps you. By upgrading to lithium golf cart battery, it would save you a lot of worry.
