I thought that I read somewhere that said after the car has been stored for a period of several weeks or more, that damage can result from running the engine for long duration.

I just bought an RX-8 in Kansas City from a dealer and am about to drive it back to Dallas. The car has been sitting on the dealer lot for about a month.

Anyone have any thoughts or validity to this rumor

 

As an additional note this vehicle is used with about 13K miles

 

Never heard that rumor.

But I have stored the car twice for 2.5-3 months each time. The only issue I had was a dead battery from the first storage (alarm was armed). The only thing I might recommend is storing it with low fuel and maybe some stabilizer, then filling up as soon as you can.

 

JBIN,
I bought my 2005 8 in May with no miles on it. Car had been sitting their for a few months (leftover). One week later I drove from New Jersey to Indiana. With the exception of nearly hitting "Bambi" on Interstate 80, no problems to report.

 

i drive mines once every other week for over 2 years, no problems here..

 

Y'all are great. I appreciate the support. Gonna make this 500 mile run a beautiful thing tomorrow.

 

Sitting for a month probably isn't going to do much except maybe drain the battery. But I'd check the intake for any signs rodents (they can make nests or chew up the filter), and a quick visual inspection of wiring and hoses (rats like to chew 'em).

If it had been sitting a year then you'd want to think about fluid changes before your long drive.

 

Yes on the fuel stabilizer, no on the low fuel level. Just the opposite in fact. You want your tank to be as full as possible.
If the fuel level is low you can get condensation on the inside surface of the tank, which will introduce water into the fuel system, and, in extreme cases, cause your fuel system to start rusting from the inside. (If you have a metal gas tank.)

 

#1 -Full fuel tank with stabilizer as already mentioned.
#2 - Pump up fires to 40+ lbs to prevent flat spotting.
#3 -Disconnect the battery so you don't kill it.
#4 -Put steel wool in the exhaust pipes to keep out rodents.
#5 -Apparently putting Bounce sheets on your floor will also keep rodents away from the interior... and make your car smell nice, too.

Chris...

 

Also a general recommendation is to store it up on jack stands to take the load off the suspension IIRC.

 

That's the last thing I'd want my car to smell like! RICE

 

there's a rumor going around that too many people are susceptible to believing in false rumors ...