RX8_DANNY

iTrader: (1)

Hey

Im going to be flying to Europe and that means storing my 8 for 3 months! Any Suggestions on what I should do before leaving? leave it like it is? disconnect battery? etc.

thankss

RX8_DANNY

iTrader: (1)

btw sry for the lack of searching but im leaving in 24 hours so i have very little time..

g9man2

I dont know what to do exactly, but I would leave the keys with someone I trust, so that they could just turn it on once a week. For like 10 mins and instruct them to keep the foot on the gas for 10 sec before shutting it off.

CompMan

iTrader: (1)

If its not going to get started either un hook the battery, or leave a battery charger on it.

RK

iTrader: (1)

If you have someone who can drive it for you have them take it for a drive once a week. If you don't then disconnect the battery. I don't recommend using a charger if there's no one around to keep an eye on it.

3 months is borderline for fuel worries but typically you want to leave it in the garage with less than 1/4 of a tank and put some fuel stabilizer.

You should also wash it before you go and cover it if you can. And putting some steel wool or something else to cover up your exhausts can be helpful. Critters occasionally find their way in there in the Winter months. Probably not much of a risk to that in Summer.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_...e/1272486.html

Also make sure you redline it before you park it and make sure your car will be registered when you get back - just in case it does need a tow.

I've stored mine without doing the above steps and came back to a completely dead battery and fouled spark plugs from flooding however all of that is covered by warranty so it wasn't a big deal once I made it through the ordeal of getting it towed.

quazmosis

iTrader: (2)

I'd for sure disconnect the battery. Perhaps an oil change when you get back.

CompMan

iTrader: (1)

Def. Fuel Stabilizer in it...Ethanol attracts water...

RK

iTrader: (1)

Oh and make sure you mark down everything you do. That way when you get back you can make sure you UNDO it.

Driving with steel wool stuff up your exhaust = Fail.

AC8

Took the car to the track 1/16/2008 and had a blast. Came home wash the car, put the cover on her and she slept quitely for 3 months.

Took off the cover, she started with a little more cranking, a little smoke, warmed her up and off the the shop for new brakes, tires and all fulids changed. No problems.

My car has setting spells throughout the year (month here and couple months there) without any problems.

Rev it up, shut it off, keep you foot to the floor on shut down. Cover ....and walk away.....she will be fine.

I do make sure prior to hibernation that there is little, if any premix in the remaining gas.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

I stored mine for 2 months. All I did was put carpet under the tires to prevent flat spots, disconnected the negative battery, had the tank full to prevent moisture. And it was fine, I still jump started it just incase the battery was dead to prevent flooding. Worked fine for me.

wassup_nuthin

carpet good idea, get some stabil run its through your car, full tank of gas, and you'll be fine.

AC8

Yes the tires will flat spot, and depending on temperature, they will eventually stop thumping.

SideOfBacon

steel wool in the tailpipes (remember to remove (mice may make it their new home)), unhook battery, gas stabilizer. should be about it. Could add an extra 5lbs of air to each tire and/or throw some folded boxes under the tires. that will prevent them from going "flat" on the spots they are resting on. usually takes more than 3 months for that to become an issue, but why not be safer than sorry? store mine every winter and the above is everything i do.

midlifer

disconnect the battery and add Sta-bil. I do it every winter.

Bob

c41250n

iTrader: (5)

just unplug the battery and put a car cover on!
when you're back, get the oil change!

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

god I love your car^^^

04RX8man

I just stored mine for almost 5 months and it was fine. I cleaned and covered it. Did not take battery out just started it every once and awhile but it sat for 3 months without being touched and it was not even slow starting. I would just park it remove battery if u want and fire it up when u get back and change oil after it sits. my 2 cents

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

Back from the dead...

Guys I am going off to college on September 12th, and unfortunately won't be taking the 8 with me Anyways, I plan to store it in my garage until I come home for Thanksgiving break, so about 10 weeks. I have already waxed it and everything, but will wash the car again right before I leave. I plan to place cardboard boxes under the tires to prevent flat spots. I am also planning to purchase a car cover so it doesn't get covered in dust and stuff. Since I have an aftermarket body kit, and my car will only be garage stored, would it be alright to purchase a cheap car cover for it? Could one of these scratch my car even if there is no dust on it? I really don't want to spend a lot of money for something that won't be used that often. Also, I have an Optima Red Top battery, so do I still need to disconnect it? If I do, will it need to jump started when I reconnect it in November? Also, I normally premix, so should I run the car to almost empty and then put in the Stabil on a full tank? When I come back, I plan to drive it for like 3-4 days, then store it again for like 3 weeks. Do I really need any oil change each time since I just had it done about 2 months ago? Also, regarding stuffing the tailpipes... why steel wool? Can I just shove a rag up there? Any help would be greatly appreciated since I have never done this before, and want my 8 to run as well as, and be as good condition as it is now when I get back. Thanks.

ZumnRx8

1. Wrap it in Plastic wrap after washing it. (How do you think car dealerships transport their cars? Ever seen them on a trailer? Most of the car is covered in Plastic Skins.)

2. Disconnect your battery, it should be fine when you get back

3. Leave your AC Vents open in your car, otherwise when you come back and turn your AC on it will smell like nasty mold and is expensive as hell to replace...

4. yeah Plug your pipes with wool- (wool can be shot out when u turn on your car and is light enough for the exhaust to clear it, a rag is slightly heavier but can work if you leave part of it out...

5. Cover the entry to your VFAD so spiders wont rest in there

6. Cover your wheels in plastic wrap/bags and tape-

7. Your oil should be fine when you get back, but change it anyways when you get back because it can turn into a thicker chocolately substance.....ghewy..gunk..

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

Thanks. If I get a car cover that covers the wheels, would I still need to wrap them? Don't really like that idea. BTW, I don't have a VFAD since I have the MS CAI. My air vents are always open, but should I crack the windows, or even leave them open?

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

I am also considering having my dad just start it up in the garage, open of course, every two weeks, so everything is cycled properly. I don't really trust him driving it since I am a little low, and he isn't as careful as me. This way, he can just put the car cover back on after it's warmed up and been turned off. If he does this, do I need to worry about adding anything to the fuel, oil changes, or plugging the exhaust?

ZumnRx8

nah windows are fine closed-

a normal car cover will/should do, but somehow dust still gets on your car ---just take it off carefully when you do..

ZumnRx8

if he's gonna be turning the car on/off every two weeks you should be fine...

Nopstnz8

iTrader: (6)

Thanks. I think I may have him do this instead, because then it's a lot less to worry about while I am gone. Then when I come back, it won't need any maintenance done. About the car cover, I will make sure it is taken off carefully. Thanks about that though.

ZumnRx8

U have a Ti-Silver so scratches cant be seen as obvious but I use to have a Black ACURA TL that was stored for 6 months with a car cover and when i took it off the car did get dusty either way but not as much as if it was not. I too had someone turn the car on but they were not careful when taking the car cover off. , you have to take off corner by corner and then lift off the car...