Whether you use your golf cart for neighborhood cruising, property maintenance, or weekend rounds on the fairway, proper seasonal care is the key to keeping it running smoothly. Extreme temperatures—both summer heat and winter cold—can place heavy strain on your cart’s batteries, tires, and motor.
Taking an hour to perform basic maintenance before the weather shifts will extend your vehicle’s lifespan and prevent costly repairs down the road. Here is your essential seasonal checklist from the service team at Intermountain Golf Cars.
1. Spring: The Post-Winter Refresh
Spring is all about getting your cart ready for daily use after a period of dormancy.
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Inspect the Battery System: If you run traditional lead-acid batteries, check fluid levels and top off with distilled water as needed. Inspect terminals for corrosion and clean them with a wire brush and baking soda solution. (If you’ve upgraded to a Lithium-ion system, simply check cable tightness and charge to 100%).
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Check Tire Pressure: Cold winter air causes tire pressure to drop. Inflate your tires to the recommended PSI listed on the sidewall to avoid uneven tread wear and sluggish handling.
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Brake & Steering Check: Test your pedal responsiveness and listen for grinding noises. Grease steering joints and suspension fittings if applicable.
2. Summer: Beating the Heat
High summer temperatures place maximum demand on your electrical and cooling systems.
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Monitor Battery Water Levels Weekly: Hot weather accelerates water evaporation in lead-acid batteries. Check cells weekly during heatwaves to ensure plates remain submerged.
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Avoid Deep Discharges: Never let your battery pack sit near 0% charge, especially in hot weather. Plug your cart in after every trip to prevent permanent cell damage.
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Park in the Shade: Whenever possible, park under a canopy, garage, or shade. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can crack vinyl seats, fade body paint, and overheat sensitive electronics.
3. Autumn: Pre-Winter Prep & Storage Decisions
As temperatures cool, it’s time to decide whether you’ll continue driving through winter or store your cart.
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Clean the Frame & Underbody: Wash off dirt, mud, and debris that can trap moisture and cause rust on frame components over the winter months.
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Check Headlights & Indicators: With shorter daylight hours, verify that all headlights, taillights, and turn signals are working properly for early evening neighborhood drives.
4. Winter: Cold Weather Protection
Cold weather significantly degrades battery performance if not managed correctly.
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Proper Storage Charging: If storing your cart for the winter, charge it fully before parking it. Disconnect the main battery leads or switch the tow/run switch to TOW mode to prevent phantom electrical drain.
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Never Freeze a Flat Battery: A fully charged battery will not freeze in normal winter conditions, but a discharged lead-acid battery can freeze solid and rupture its casing. Keep your charger plugged in if your charger features an automatic maintenance cycle.
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Store Indoors: If possible, store your cart in a dry garage or shed. If parked outside, use a breathable, weatherproof cart cover.
Need Professional Service or Upgrades?
Whether you need routine maintenance, a full seasonal tune-up, or a modern Eco Battery Lithium upgrade to eliminate battery water maintenance forever, the experts at Intermountain Golf Cars are here to help. Visit one of our regional dealership locations or contact our service department today! (801) 255-8828