Winter Storage and Maintenance
Golf carts are incredibly versatile and can be utilized in so many activities. From recreational occasions to professional events, they provide a sense of freedom and convenience. With winter here in Kelowna and across Canada whether you own an EZGO, Yamaha, or Club Car golf cart, proper care of your cart during the off season can save time, money, and ensure that you get the longest life possible out of your golf cart.
Taking time to proactively care for your cart is potentially the best way to guarantee that it is in top-notch condition when you need it most. A large part of proactive care is preparation and storage during months in which the weather may prevent consistent usage, such as during the winter season.
We’ve outlined instructions on how you can keep your cart well maintained over the winter months. For those of you that are traveling or may be unable to do it yourselves, we offer a winter storage service. We can even arrange pick-up or on-site maintenance for certain locations. Please contact us for details.
Thanks again for choosing Carts Plus… we appreciate your patronage and value your trust in our company.
Long-Term Storage Tips
WARNING: Failure to store a vehicle properly during extended storage periods can result in battery and/or engine damage and render the vehicle inoperative. To prepare a vehicle for winter storage, the following steps outline the procedure that should be followed.
NOTE: See Warnings in Owner’s Manual prior to performing any maintenance.
NOTE: Complete storage procedures can be found in all Maintenance and Service Manuals as well as the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual.
Electric Vehicles
Turn the key switch to the OFF position, remove the key, and leave the Forward/Reverse switch in the NEUTRAL position during storage.
Place the Tow/Run switch in the TOW position. This is to prevent unintentionally starting the vehicle or a fire hazard.
Batteries should be fully charged prior to cars going into off-season storage.
Ensure the electrolyte level is at the proper level.
Only check electrolyte level on a fully charged battery.
If the electrolyte level is below the top of the plates, refer to the Battery Care section of the Owner’s Manual.
Check all electrical wiring and connections for tightness.
Vehicles connected to chargers
The electrolyte (water) level and AC power should be checked monthly.
NOTE: If water has been added to batteries, either individually or through a Single Point Watering System (SPWS) to bring the electrolyte up to the proper level, the batteries must be placed on charge. Disconnect the DC charger cord from the charger receptacle, wait 5 seconds, and reconnect the DC cord to restart the charger. This must be repeated each time water is added to batteries during storage.
Chargers should be left plugged in so the batteries can be automatically maintained by the car's onboard computer (OBC) and charged, as necessary.
NOTE: The OBC keeps track of the time spent in storage mode. When the OBC detects that the storage charge cycles may have depleted the available electrolyte, it will stop the charger from further operation. Disconnecting then reconnecting the DC cord (stationary charger) or AC cord (onboard charger) indicates to the OBC that the electrolyte levels have been maintained and allows the OBC to resume operation.
While in storage, the Tow/Run switch should be in Tow. When in Tow mode, the amber battery warning light will not illuminate. Do not attempt to use the battery light as an indication of battery state while in storage.
If AC power is off for 7 days or longer, the OBC will not function or charge the vehicle again until it has been restarted. To restart the computer, make sure AC power has been restored, disconnect the DC cord (stationary charger) from the vehicle or the AC cord (onboard charger) from the power source, wait five seconds, then reconnect it.
Be sure to check the batteries and charger monthly to maintain the correct battery water level and ensure the charger is operating correctly during storage. NOTE: By charging and disconnecting battery charger every two weeks throughout the winter storage period you will gain the longest life from your deep cell batteries.
If the charger cannot remain plugged in, AC power will not be available during extended storage, or electrolyte levels will not be maintained, then disconnect the batteries for storage.
Perform all required preventive maintenance procedures.
Properly inflate tires to 18 to 20 psi.
Perform all semi-annual periodic lubrication. See the Periodic Lubrication Schedule in the Maintenance & Service and Owner’s manuals.
Place blocks behind the tires and disengage the parking brake. This relieves pressure on the brakes while in storage as well as preventing the cart from moving.
Vehicles NOT connected to chargers
If the chargers are not going to be used to maintain batteries, the Tow/Run switch should be placed in the TOW position and the batteries disconnected after a full charge to prevent any parasitic loss during storage.
NOTE: If water has been added to batteries, either individually or through a Single Point Watering System (SPWS) to bring the electrolyte up to the proper level, the batteries must be placed on charge. Disconnect the DC charger cord from the charger receptacle, wait 5 seconds and reconnect the DC cord to restart the charger. Disconnect the charger and battery wiring only after the charger has shut itself off.
Perform all required preventive maintenance procedures.
Properly inflate tires to 18 to 20 psi.
Perform all semi-annual periodic lubrication. See the Periodic Lubrication Schedule in the Maintenance & Service and Owner’s manuals.
Place blocks behind the tires and disengage the parking brake. This relieves pressure on the brakes while in storage as well as preventing the cart from moving.
Gasoline-Powered Vehicles
Turn the Key Switch to the OFF position, remove the key, and leave the Forward/Reverse switch in the NEUTRAL position during storage. Perform all required preventive maintenance procedures.
Properly inflate tires to 12 to 14 PSI.
Perform all semi-annual periodic lubrication. See the Periodic Lubrication Schedule in the Maintenance & Service and Owner’s manuals.
Place the Forward/Reverse handle in the NEUTRAL position and the neutral lockout cam in the MAINTENANCE position.
Turn the fuel shut-off valve to the closed (OFF) position and run the engine until the fuel remaining in the carburetor and fuel lines is depleted and the engine stalls. Return the neutral lockout cam to the OPERATE position.
Loosen, but do not remove the carburetor drain screw and drain any fuel remaining in the bowl into an approved container. Then pour the fuel from the container into the vehicle’s fuel tank and replace and secure the tank cap.
Tighten the carburetor drain screw. Disconnect the fuel vent line from the tank vent nipple.
Plug the fuel tank vent nipple so that it is airtight. We recommend using a slip-on vinyl cap.
Disconnect the battery cables: negative cable first, then positive. Make sure the battery is clean: Wash the top and terminals of the battery with a baking soda and water solution (1 cup baking soda per 1 gallon of water). Then rinse the solution off, dry, and coat battery terminals with Battery Terminal Protector Spray.
To protect the engine, remove the spark plug and pour 1/2 ounce of SAE 10 weight oil into the engine through the spark plug hole. Rotate the crankshaft by hand several times, and then install the spark plug.
Place blocks behind the tires and disengage the parking brake. This relieves pressure on the brakes while in storage as well as preventing the cart from moving.
It may take some time to prepare your golf cart prior to storing, however it will prevent future costs for unnecessary repairs after the season is over and ensure you are ready to hit the course as soon as Spring rears its head!