Golf carts are beneficial to have during the summer months, especially if you live near the Delaware beaches. As winter approaches, though, you’ll need to plan how you’ll store the cart during the cold season. You’ll have to prepare the golf cart for winter storage, then we recommend storing it in a garage or shed from Space Makers to protect it from snow and ice damage. Below is everything you need to know about how to store your golf cart during the winter.
Preparing Your Golf Cart
Clean the Cart
The first step is to do a simple wash and wax on your golf cart. Clean the body, undercarriage, and wheels with soap and water. Make sure the tires are clear of any mud, sand, stones, and debris so moisture doesn’t accumulate on them and rust the rims. Then clean the interior, including the seats, glove compartments, etc, to ensure there’s no dirt, dust, or moisture buildup. All of this will prevent the cart from corroding over the winter and rusting. The covered parking our sheds and garages provide will keep your golf cart from getting dirty again over the winter.
Winterize the Batteries
Before storing your cart for the winter in Delaware, you’ll have to winterize the batteries for storage. You’ll also have to check the oil and coolant levels and top them off if necessary. There will be different procedures for golf carts that are electric-powered and gas-powered.
Electric-Powered
An electric golf cart can have two different battery types: lithium and lead-acid. Both batteries have different needs, but you generally want to keep them at a decent charge throughout the winter. You should also disconnect the negative cable, so power doesn’t drain during the winter and the battery retains charge. This is also a safety measure to prevent electrical issues from occurring, but you can put the cart in TOW mode to disable the electrical system for the winter. For extra protection, we recommend taking the batteries out and storing them in their own cool, dry place in the shed or garage.
Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries should be stored at a partial charge, like 50-70%, to prevent them from degrading and maintain their lifespan. These batteries won’t discharge as quickly, so you shouldn’t need to charge them again.
Lead-Acid Batteries
Lead-acid batteries, however, discharge much quicker. Regularly check their charge levels and recharge them if needed throughout the winter. Not having this battery charged can lead to it freezing and cracking, making it unusable. If you see any corrosion on the battery, clean it with baking soda and water. Finally, check the fluid levels in the batteries’ cells, and fill them with distilled water if needed.
Gas-Powered
For a gas-powered golf cart, we recommend adding fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. This ensures the gas doesn’t expire during the winter, rendering it unusable in the spring. The stabilizer will keep the gas fresh and protect the engine components from degrading during storage. When using the stabilizer, remember to run the engine for a few minutes so it seeps through the whole system. Then, when Delaware’s spring comes around, and you can use the cart again, fill up the tank with fresh gas.
Winter Maintenance Tasks 
Performing some maintenance on the golf cart before storing it for winter makes sure it is in good working condition when you take it out of storage. Inspect the cart for any needed maintenance, including the body, brakes, and wheels, to prepare it for a period of inactivity. We recommend lubricating all moving parts, like the hinges, cables, pedals, brake components, and wheel bearings, to add a protective layer to them and ensure a smooth operation. Finally, when storing the cart, make sure to take the key out to prevent power drain and leave the cart in neutral so it doesn’t put tension on the brake cable.
Tire Maintenance
In our experience, if you store a golf cart without preparing the tires, flat spots can form and make it difficult to work properly. Inflate the tires so they don’t wear down over the winter and form flat spots. The cart’s manual will have the recommended PSI you should inflate them to. Then chock the wheels so they don’t roll and disengage the parking brake. You could also store the golf cart elevated, rotate the tires, or remove them from the cart entirely so they don’t go flat. If you’re removing the wheels, though, make sure you put the cart’s axle on a piece of wood so it doesn’t bend the metal.
Storing Your Golf Cart
Store in a Garage or Shed 
We find it best to store your golf carts in a dry, covered location, like sheds or garages. Sheds and garages from Space Makers are made with durable materials to withstand Delaware’s winter weather. Storing your golf cart in one of these storage buildings is beneficial, as it protects it from moisture, wind, and cold temperatures that can damage the cart if left outside. We recommend storing the cart in a garage if you have other recreational vehicles to store and you need the space. A 2-Car Garage is perfect if you’re storing multiple vehicles. A shed is ideal if you just need to store the cart and outdoor equipment. Our Classic Garden Dutch Barns are perfect for this, as they offer more overhead space with a loft for additional storage. When using a shed, make sure it has a ramp attached so you can safely wheel the golf cart in.
Cover the Cart
Generally, if you decide to store your golf cart outside, you’ll put a breathable, water-resistant cover over it. However, we recommend doing this even if you’re storing it in one of our sheds or garages. This will add an extra layer of protection from dust and moisture.
Get Storage Solutions with Space Makers
Space Makers Sheds builds high-quality sheds and garages that are perfect for storing recreational vehicles during the winter in Delaware. These durable buildings will protect your golf carts from harsh winter conditions so they can be used again in the spring. You can even design a custom storage solution with our 3D Builder. If you need a shed or garage immediately, check out our in-stock inventory of buildings ready for delivery. Contact us today to get started.