Summer is here! While summer might be warm and pleasant in some cities, for others it’s usually the time of the year where people decide to go on vacation or head up north to escape the scorching heat. One thing that might be on your mind is how to store your golf car while you’re away. We don’t recommend leaving your golf car unattended for long periods of time, but we have three important tips that will minimize the damage to your vehicle if you have no choice.
Charge Your Battery Completely Before Leaving
When the battery of your golf cart is deprived of a full charge, it causes sulfation. In simple words, this is a buildup of lead sulfate crystals which is the number one cause of early battery failure. Most batteries in golf carts are lead-acid batteries, which self-discharge when they are not used for a long period of time.
We recommend using smart chargers which have a “trickle” charge effect: when your golf car is fully charged, they only supply enough power to keep it at full battery. They also switch off after being on for a period of time, ranging from 7 to 30 days.
Disconnect Electrical Accessories
All electrical accessories and anything that might draw off the battery pack should be disconnected from your golf car before you stow it away. The TOW/RUN switch should be set to TOW in order to fully shut the car down. If you leave your golf car in RUN mode, the electronic speed controller will stay energized and continue to monitor for a roll away situation and draw power from the batteries. This is hazardous and must be kept in mind while you’re making arrangements for storing your golf car.
Arrange for Maintenance While You’re Away
If you’re planning to be away for a long period of time (over a month), you should try to hire someone you trust who can check the water levels and charge the batteries upon depletion.
Apart from batteries, your tires are likely to get worn out and develop flat spots if kept for long periods of time as well. By having someone who will periodically drive the golf car or by placing a block under the frame you can mitigate this issue easily. A good place to look for such a service is a golf car supplier, because they would have technicians who can help service your golf car.
Thoroughly Clean Your Golf Car
Before you leave, it’s a good idea to get your golf cart cleaned. Make sure battery terminal connections are thoroughly cleaned with protector spray, place a fill tube on top of your battery to allow water in the tube to drain back in the batteries, and wax the body of your car. You should also use battery acid neutralizer for cleaning battery packs! Again, if these things seem daunting or you do not want to get your hands dirty, you can contact technicians who are experts in maintaining your golf car.
We hope you will incorporate some of these tips to protect your golf car while you’re traveling this summer. If you need any help with maintenance or service of your golf car, you can feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help.