Hey guys, I just got my RX8 a week or so ago but I haven't yet passed my driving test so it's still sitting there. (not the best idea after further reading on how the rotary engines work but okay)

I've read a good deal on here how to look after the rotary engine, what oil to use in the UK, red lining the car at least once a day and letting the car warm up before switching the engine off

I'm just a little worried that there will be a lot more to do as the car isn't moving anywhere yet at all

Forgive me for making what may seem as a topic that has probably been discusses more times then anything but when searching key words would just trigger searched that weren't relevant for me.

Thanks guys.

Hope to get my Mazda on the road soon, it's probably going to be a month or so before it gets going.

 

When using the search feature, use the "advanced search" and switch the drop-down menu to show "search titles only"

Then do your search. The results will be more specific to your topic.

I personally wouldn't be concerned if you only plan to park it for a month. For extended down time, you can search for "winter storage" There are a ton of threads about that.

During your month of down time, I suggest you educate yourself on what you have gotten into. There are a bunch of "sticky" threads. Real all the ones in the "Tech Garage" "Troubleshooting" and "RX8 Discussion." Most specifically the one linked in my signature.

Welcome to the Forum

 

Thanks mate, will do that now

 

godesshunter is right...but since it'll be sitting a month, also make sure that your battery doesn't go dead. That could lead to flooding....plus, it wouldn't be good for the battery

 

After reading it's pretty clear on how essential maintaining the RX8 is, overall not too bad. Don't see how people moan about 16mpg at all, i think that's really good considering you're driving a sports car, what do people expect?

I think I'll disconnect the battery any way, just to be on the safe side. I don't plan on storing it for too long plus we're approaching summer. I live in England, UK. Our winters aren't too bad any way.

Now I just need to find a thread that explains disconnecting the battery with pictures (i'm sure it's a simple easy task but I've literally no idea where the battery is or what it looks like in a car)

Thanks for the replys everyone, I really appreciate it!

Dave

 

Since your in the UK, I am not sure that the components in the engine compartment are in the same area. The battery is covered by a piece of plastic that is pretty much a rectangle the size of a battery. Lift up on it and viola...battery. Disconnect the positive side by loosening the nut and it comes right off. Do a search for "20 stomps on the brake pedal", and make sure you do that after you re-connect.

Personally for a month, I would not concern myself with it. Mine sits that long with no problem. Although I do go start it and let it run for about 20 minutes every other week or so. I have never had a problem winter or summer. I've had a car sit longer than that at the airport parking. Get your license and enjoy your car.

 

Congrats on your new 8!
You're right about gas mileage. It IS a sports car after all, but for a daily driver, cost of premium adds up pretty quick.

Mine sat for almost 3 mos. recently (unintentionally). I had a new battery so it fired right up.
The one issue that I had, was I left my parking brake on, which I found out later is a nono.
I guess a high metallic content in the pads nearly rusted solid to my rotors.
Good luck & have fun!

 

Rule of thumb: Positive goes on first , off last.

 

Do you just turn the ignition and just use the battery or the engine as well?

Thanks!

So I should take the hand brake off? couldn't that cause the car to roll?

Now this and the post above have me confused, disconnect the negative then the postive and when reconnecting it's the positive first and then the negative?

 

David,
-You would start the engine so the battery will recharge. Just turning the key on wouldn't do anything but drain the battery more.
-If you aren't on much of a hill, you could just put the car in first to keep it from rolling. If you are on a significant hill, then you'll just have to use the handbrake. Unless your 8 is an auto...you never really said it was a manual. If it's an auto...then you have park.
-What you stated about the battery is correct

 

I wouldn't worry about the handbrake unless you are talking about prolonged storage.
Mine sat three months covered, but the wheels were exposed. We had 3 big snowstorms and drifting snow caused the rust problem.
If you start it say once a week or so and let it get good and warmed up, I don't think you would have a battery problem unless it's a weak battery.
You could disconnect it and clean the terminals.
I always thought Neg. off first, on first,
but that's from years ago. I could be mistaken.
Someone will correct me if I am.
*I think that is wrong*

 

Someone confirm I'm wrong please.
I'm having a bad case of Chemo-brain this morning.
Sorry David.
*tried to clarify brake issue, got off on battery tangent.
Disregard battery statement. Meds make me confused sometimes.*

 

Thanks, and my 8 is a manual

I'm not on much of a hill at all, actually it's flat. Maybe i'm just too cautious. Turning the engine on and letting it warm up it what I'm most worries about. The threads i've been reading (the one referenced in this topic) have been saying to warm the car up to prevent flooding and to rev the engine but at the same time says if the hand is straight up (i assume it means in the middle) then it's going to wreck my engine?

a lot to take in, I'm going to have to have another read of it tonight

 

The temperature gauge is semi-dummy. Normal temperature is aout 2 ticks to the left of the center dot. Once it gets there, it won't move further unless the engine gets really hot. But once there, it's warmed up.

If you warm it by idling, then you do the 10 second rev thing. Do you have the owner's manual and (if they provide this in UK) the Quick Tips guide? The QT guide describes "short trip" procedure.

For a month of sitting, all you really need to worry about is the battery. Is the car someplace where you can just plug in a charger? Either a battery maintainer trickle charger continuously, or a regular charger the day before you're loosed onto the road?

Ken

 

Just to clarify because i'm seeing some confusion and mis-information here, you ONLY need to disconnect the NEGATIVE battery terminal and push it out of the way. There is no need to touch the positive terminal at all.

 

Agreed. I should have said that in my initial post, but for safety sake, just undo the negative. The worst that would happen is you ground your wrench on some other part of the vehicle while disconnecting the positive side. While it is unlikely you would damage anything you may poop your pants from the pretty fireworks .

 

Thanks guys.
Sorry for screwin the pooch.

 

Yes. This is true for what he wants to do. It disconnects the battery circuit from the car to prevent a slow current draw. And accidental arcing if the wrench were to slip while tightening/loosening the positive terminal. ( if he wanted to undo both)

The "rule of thumb" I referred to would be if the battery was going to be completely removed from the car. I said it simply to combat the response about removing the positive terminal only.

By following the "rule of thumb" there is no chance of arcing the wrench from the positive terminal to the hold down, or fender, or whatever else would be a ground depending on what kind of car you are working on. Damn near every piece of metal under the hood is a ground as long as that ground terminal is still connected. Its easy to hit one accidentally without even knowing it till its too late.

 

Yeah it does, thanks for that, exactly what I wanted to know

Thanks everybody for your help, again!

 

use the newest coolant like Global from Peak. it does not eat seals.

use gas till it's almost empty

put the car up in the air (yep, 4 jackstand) cover the car with car cover if it sits outside.

if u just gonna store car for a month, just unplug the battery.

 

Mine sat for a year, no issues on start up. I did add fuel stabilizer and before sstat up I added 8 gallons of fresh fuel 91 octang.

I would ad vise a fuel stabilizer if you have concerns on the fuel and how long it sets.

 

keep the tank topped up to eliminate gasoline oxidation.
pump the tires up too so they dont get flat
chock the tires and leave handbreak off and transmission in neutral.

 

It sounds like your concerned that sitting will cause flooding. Just the sitting will not cause that, but will cause the battery to drain depending on how new your battery is. After sitting the 8 only likes to start with very good starting power, if you have a weak battery it will not turn over fast enough to actually crank and you will end up flooding.

Mine sits for months at a time sometimes and from having to de-flood mine several times I came up with a little procedure that I personally follow. Not saying this is the right way its just what me and my paranoid self do.

Storage Steps
1. Disconnect neg terminal
2. Put on JackStands (If sitting more than a month or two)
3. Put Sun Shades up (cover car if sitting for extended time)

Startup Procideure:
1. Drop from Jackstands
2. Reconnect Negative Terminal
3. Connect car to a Jump Box/ or another car
4. Remove Fuel Pump fuse and turn car over for 5 seconds (clears any debris, fuel or moisture from sitting)
5. Replace Fuel Pump fuse
6. Crank Car and let it idol with no accessories or a/c running.
6.5 (learned this from a mazda tech friend) Let car run without touching gas pedal till the fans kick on then kick off then turn the car off. This lets the ECU fully relearn the idol.
7. Crank the car and have a blast.