Out of Winter Storage and Back on the Road

mainstreetgolfcars
Apr 4
4 min read

Updated: Apr 11

Tips and step-by-step instructions to safely bring your golf car out of winter storage and get it ready for a fun-filled summer season!

Before reading this article, please see the following notes:

This information is good for most all manufactures of golf cars.
Both gas and electric lead acid batteries explained in this information.
This is NOT for Lithium batteries.
This information serves as a reference guideline; it's recommended to follow all manufacturer instructions.
Reader accepts all responsibility on serving their own golf car. Reader needs to know what they are doing and are fully capable of replacing of the directions listed below.

For Electric Golf Cars

Hopefully you had you golf car batteries charging during your storage. If not, that creates a problem. Look at our service page at Mainstreetgolfcars.com for charging your golf car.

It is also good to follow your manufactures recommendations. Be sure to service your golf car at least once a year.

You will want to do the following check list:

Battery cables clean and secure.
Battery water levels at the right levels, good levels are about an 1/8 below the inner lower lip or about an 1/8 of an inch above the battery plates. Just make sure that the plates in the battery are covered with water but not over filled. See detail on Battery charging.
Tire pressure set to factory recommendations, if you are not sure a good tire pressure is 20 pounds for all 4 tires. Inspect the tire condition make sure they are not cracking on the sides and that you have fairly good tread. Tire pressure is usually stamped on the side of the tire.
If your car has a tow / run switch under the seat, place the switch in run. Many people forget about that switch.
If you did not service your car before storage you may want to look at getting the car serviced like:
- Brakes, suspension, throttle and brake pedals.
- Front and rear suspension.
- Transaxle fluid.
- Lubrication of the front and rear suspension.
- Inspection of the steering and alignment.
- Along with a list of additional services that may need attention.

TOW/RUN switch – not all golf cars have a tow run switch, the older ones in particular. If you have a tow/run switch, be sure to put the car in tow when you park your car and are charging it.

Keep in mind that short charged are better than long charges. Long charges cause water evaporation and a shorter battery life. During the season charge your batteries as often as you can remembering short charges are better.

Test drive your car by starting out slow checking the brakes, steering and making sure that the car moves forward and in reverse just fine. If your steering feels off, double check your tire pressure and look at the tires to make sure they are in good condition and wearing evenly.

For Gas Golf Cars

Hopefully you added a fuel stabilizer to your gas tank and had a fully charged battery before you stored your car for winter.

Gas golf cars should be serviced at least once a year by an experienced person that knows what they are doing.

First, we’ll be talking about bringing your gas golf car out of storage since it’s that time of year.

You want to make sure your battery has a good charge to it and that the connection are tight.
Next check the oil level to make sure it is reading full.
Also checking the tire pressure on all tire. A good rule of thumb is to start the season out with about 20 pounds of air in your tires. I’ll explain more later on about tire pressure.
One last thing is to LOOK under that car to make sure you have no leakage or staining on the ground. This will let you know how the fluid levels are. A leak or stain indicates that there is a level that is low and you need to know why.
Also make sure you have plenty of fuel in your gas tank.
Initially starting your car

Choke System - On older cars that all have some kind of choke system that is used to help start the engine when it has been sitting for a while or when it is cold. When starting the engine, you should do so when that car is in natural. That is the position the shift knob is between forward and reverse. Club Car is the only car that will not start in natural. There are ways to get around that.

Start cranking the engine over while using the choke and the throttle pedal is all the way to the floor. Leave the throttle pedal down for about 15 seconds while starting the engine then let up half way and at times pump or feather the throttle. This step usually helps get the engine running sooner.

On EFI – (fuel injection engines) turn the key on, place the car in natural and lightly tap the throttle pedal to activate the fuel pump to prime the fuel system. I would suggest that you do this two or three time with a 20 second pause between taps. Then go ahead and start your engine as you normally would.

Check to make sure that the brake feels ok and that the parking brake is working and fully releasing.
Test drive your car by starting out slow checking the brakes, steering and making sure that the car moves forward and in reverse just fine. If your steering feels off double checking your tire pressure and look at the tires to make sure they are in good condition and wearing evenly.

We're Here to Help!

At Mainstreet Golf Cars we are here to help. So if you have a cigar box of tools, the ambition and a little bit of handiness, we are here to help. At Mainstreet Golf Cars we understand that there are people that like to work on their own stuff and can run into a dead end when it comes to repairing it. We fully understand that and are willing to help walk you through getting your golf car back up and running. We hope this free information that we give will give you a better understanding of what your golf car is all about.

Caring and sharing is old school that makes the world a better place.

If you have any questions or need to chat, just give us a call — we’re always happy to help!

Phone: 630.216.9272

Email: Info@MainstreetGolfCars.com