Winter storage help please....
 

Hi guys,

So I finally stored my RX8 last Saturday.

This is what I did for storage:

1) Pumped the air up to 40psi on all four tires.
2) Didn't pull the handbrake, rather put wood and blocks on the car to stop it from rolling.
3) Left a little more than 3/4 tank full of gas in the car.

This is what I didn't do:

1) I didn't put gas line antifreeze in the gas tank to prevent from freezing the gas lines. Is this necessary?
2) I didn't disconnect the battery terminals because I plan to start the car once every three weeks or so for 5 - 10 min. in order to get the engine warmed up and then turn it off without moving it.
3) I didn't wash the car, so it's still dirty unfortunately.
4) I locked the car with my key instead of my FOB, but the anti-theft still comes on which will unfortunately drain the battery. Is there a way to prevent this?

I would appreciate all your help in answering these questions as this is the first winter that I'm garaging my car.

Thanks and God bless you guys. :)

Ben.

Sta-bil gasoline stablizer is a good idea. I use it in all my seasonal equipment.

I leave a Battery Tender on mine all winter now but prior started periodically as you plan so just leave the battery connected.

Really should have washed and waxed the vehicle prior to storage to remove any foreign deposits that might eat at the paint over time.

No way to disable the "immobilizer" but it doesn't drain too badly and again you plan to start/run periodically which along with circulating fluids will recharge the battery.

Thanks a lot for your help! :) Unfortunately, I can't take the car out now to wash it as it's already stored and the insurance is only fire and theft in my garage. The dirt is not that much, so I'm just going to have to wait it out till the summer to wash it. What is a battery tender?

DO NOT start the engine during the winter if you arnt taking it out for a drive. The car will not heat up completely by just idling in the garage, and you will end up doing more damage than good.

All you have to do is fill the tank to the top gas (this will eliminate air space in the fuel tank and reduce the chances of condensation forming), clean the car, overinflate the tires (to the max sidewall rating), put a battery tender on it, and cover her up.

The wash answer: http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ar+wash+kit.do

^ I do concur that a Battery Tender is preferred, but lacking same he will need to run/warmup the car periodically.

http://batterytender.com/ I use a Jr. and leave it connected to the battery underhood (a distance so no possible fume ignition). When I take my '8 out for a sand/salt/snow free winter drive I just roll up its cord in the engine bay.

So, don't start the car up? I'm getting a 50/50 here that's why.

Again, Battery Tender prefered (so really 100/0). ;)

edit: I meant to also add that you could simply remove the battery from the vehicle to a non-freezing, dry, area. You'd have to reset your radio pre-sets, but that's not such a big chore come Spring. There are collector cars that go a long time between starts without incident, but again the cited precautions are of value.

I removed the battery from my car and stored it in the basement. Come April or May, hook her up, do the steering wheel left/right procedure thing and you're ready for another year!

As stated by others here, a batter tender is a much better solution than abusing your engine just to keep the battery charged. And add some fuel stabilizer.

1) I didn't put gas line antifreeze in the gas tank to prevent from freezing the gas lines. Is this necessary? YES
2) I didn't disconnect the battery terminals because I plan to start the car once every three weeks or so for 5 - 10 min. in order to get the engine warmed up and then turn it off without moving it. Take the battery out, store it inside, not on concrete. Don't start the car for the whole winter. It causes excess condensation since it warms up and then it is turned off = not good.
3) I didn't wash the car, so it's still dirty unfortunately. should have
4) I locked the car with my key instead of my FOB, but the anti-theft still comes on which will unfortunately drain the battery. Is there a way to prevent this? When the battery is out no worries cause it will drain

Tires should be blown up to around 45psi. Most are around 50 max so 5 psi under.

^ Actually the "don't store battery on concrete" thing is in the realm of urban myths, but I have a hard time ignoring it as well. ;)

im just confused about the gas line antifreeze...

i used to store my bike outside during winter and it used to start right up with a properly charged battery (3 seasons to boot), only put stabil in the tank (full).

Cool, well there's nothing I can do about the dirty car except wash it next summer. I will take the battery out though since starting it every three weeks is bad. What is the wrench size for the battery terminals? Sorry for the noob question but I haven't taken the battery out before.

I belive it is 10mm.

Again: The wash answer: http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...ar+wash+kit.do

Pull out a handful of sockets and you'll figure it out. ;)

haha...exactly I'm not ignoring it! Especially with Optima RED prices lol.

10mm

Thanks again guys! :)

Wrench size???? come on... everybody knows that everything on an RX8 is 10mm!! :)

LOL That's about right. It certainly is my most used on the '8.

Here's my checklist of things I do for winter storage, last post on the page in PDF format.
Hope you find it helpful.

https://www.rx8club.com/canada-forum-35/winter-car-storage-183400/


Mine in storage since Nov. 1 and I miss her so much but I've bought her all kinds of presents for our spring reunion. LOLz

iv stored my car for a few winters and iv never started it until spring, never had a issue.

I would:
Put it in Park
Set Bible on Car
Start it up on Easter

^ +1 hahahahahahahhahahahaha


oh yeah..... and god bless you.

So anyway, I disconnected the battery and poured some fuel stabilizer last weekend. She should be good to go in the spring. Thanks guys. :)

and clean the car the best you can. some "dust" can really screw up your clearcoat.

---footman, Dog bless you back!