Does anyone have any suggestions/knows what is the proper storage procedure to store the 8 over the winter time?....Say about 4 months?
Is there something special that I should do? Or should I just park it and started up again 4 months later?

 

change fuilds, make sure you have at least 1/2 tank of gas so water vapors wont freeze and crack your lines, put it in first gear and dont engage the ebrake or youll stretch it... keep tires inflated to 3-5psi higher than mazda's rated PSI. wash and wax it and put a safe cover over it.

 

Better, go with a full tank of gas, Sta-Bil treated. Otherwise concur with SayNo...

 

Thanks for the info.... Do I need to start up the engine every now and then to circulate fluids???/

 

wouldnt really matter because youre required to drive around at least 2 miles to properly warm up the engine.. simply idleing it wont do much.. but try starting it every now and then. are you storing it for winter?

 

i wouldnt fill it up 100% to the top since gas detoriates and when he takes it out of storage he should fill it up to the top with premium so it mixes in with the old gas.

 

id say put it on jack stands, wont the tires get flats spots if you dont?

 

Yes... I won't drive it through the Michigan winters.....

What if I start the engine and let it warm up at idle? Would that help anything or just let it sit until when I'm ready to start driving her again?

 

exactly just to be sure dont start it. because i remember some rx7s have had problems with flooding if yo start it once a weeka dn only let it idle for a few minites. also if you can find some fuel stabilizers. and almost forgot to tell you to remove the battery and when youre ready to bring the car out. charge the battery and put it back in. so dont let anyone start it and let it idle unless therye going to drive it for atleast 2 miles.

 

yup thats should do. it should start right up and run fine in 4 months. and when you first start the car and drive it fill it up with premium and change the oil again since its been sitting for 4 months.

edit:the tires wont have flat spots if you pump it 3-4 psi above mazda's rated pressure for the tires. but they might have thumping sounds for the few few miles of driving but itll go away and return to normal.. since it is rubber after all

 

A couple of other things...

1) Get on over to the Miata forums. Tons of people store their miatae for winter, and several volumes have been written on it there.

2) Shove some steel wool up the exhaust - stops mice from crawling up in there

3) Put an open bar of soap under the hood, one in the pax compartment, and in the trunk. Critters don't like the smell, so this keeps them away. Crack the windows a half-inch too, as this will stop any smells building up too much.

4) Don't engage the alarm. Better yet, put the battery on trickle charge.

5) Park on some thick corrugated cardboard, with the tires over-inflated. It will deform before the tires do, avoiding flat spots.

6) This one is subjective... crank the engine for 10 sec. with the main ignition fuse removed, to get the oil circulating. Then crank up as normal. There is a lot of debate on this one.. I have tried both methods on the miata and seen no difference.

7) Don't give in to the temptation to go out driving on icy roads even though it is a sunny day in the middle of January; you will crash! (don't ask how I know this).

 

Moth ***** in a sock will also deter critters. Not so good for pax compartment of course.

 

if he would go to another forum and ask i suggest rx7club since they know their stuff. Miata and the RX8 are two different cars. RX7's are basically the same when it comes to maintiance and everything.

 

That's what the Sta-bil is for.

 

Thanks for the input....
Knowing me I'll probably end up driving it every now and then when/if there is no snow on the ground.....

 

Me too puch96.

 

Sta-bil in an almost full tank of gas.
over inflate the tires .
jack it up just to release the pressure on the suspension, and i also bought a real exhaust rubber pipe that i put under my garage door and i start it 15 minutes every 2 weeks and i never have any problem with my cars since 23 years of the same treatment on my cars.

 

Is it suggested to disconnect the battery?

 

where can I find a good car cover for my 8?

 

Read the thread...

 

Thank you, forum members!!

Uncle Sam is sending me on a four-month vacation to an undisclosed desert resort, and I must store my baby--warm climate, high humidity, no garage, but under an awning. The Search button, this thread, and others like it have given me all the info I need to plan her storage.

Thanks.

 

When you take her out of storage, open the glove compartment, take out the drawer and check the filters that are behind it - this is the area that rodents like to move into.

When you take it out of wraps, remember that the battery may need to charge just a little longer than a regular car before starting because there are so many lights bells and whistles.

A little silica gel in a sock, on the floor, can reduce moisture build up in the passenger compartment - you can get it at craft stores and chemical suppliers, or check internet.

 

One question about removing the battery:
If I remove the battery and store it in a warm place for about 3 months, would this reset the ECU or some other vital component in the car?

 

I'll second the recommendation for use of a battery maintainer. I use one and let's me keep her ready to drive without any hassles.

 

you can park on carpet pieces instead of using jack stands and your tires will be protected.