WoodsOfGreenRx8

Sand & Salt is still there till a few rains!

Shini

So is it the ice salt they use on roads in peoples area make them get winter cars?

Jethro Tull

iTrader: (6)

For me it's the salt & sand, Shini. The sand can just sandblast the front of the car and windshield, and the salt has a long-term effect. I've lived and driven in a 4-season locale for enough decades now to have experienced salt and sand winter damage first-hand on several vehicles.

Keeping my 8 garaged for about 12-14 weeks isn't going to kill me, but it will be instrumental in the long-term preservation of the car. I plan on keeping it for many, many years.

It's not my daily driver during the other 3 seasons anyway. I've had the car not quite 9 months and still have under 4 thousand miles.

Shini

Sand? Is that just another thing they use to get rid of the snow?

I only ask because where I live it hardly snows and when it does, most of the time they don't salt, and if they do it's only on the highway (which I can avoid).

I just thought driving it in the snow (besides being hazardous with stock tires) had some kind of long term effect and that's why no one did it.

Jethro Tull

iTrader: (6)

The sand is just grit to increase traction on icy roads. It's primarily the salt that melts the stuff, but once the temperature gets below about 20-degrees, the salt stops working- hence the grit. Some modern de-icers work down to about 10 degrees, but they are more expensive and not all cities & highway departments will spend the extra money.
Also up here the salt accumulates all winter long. Even on dry days, by January there is a salt "dust" all over the road. It gets kicked up into the cracks and crevices of the car, just waiting for any moisture at all to re-activate it. Not just rain, but any humidity at all, even on a microscopic scale.
It usually takes several spring rains to wash it all away and make the streets non-corrosive again.

Shini

Interesting. Glad to know I have nothing to worry about then.

Texas for the win

Jethro Tull

iTrader: (6)

My friend in Seattle has a fully restored '64 Jag XKE, and he only drives it about 4,000 miles a year, keeps it garaged for poor weather and most of the winter. It's the same enthusiasts mentality that many 8 drivers (or most any sports car, for that matter) embrace. The car is primarily a "fun" car and the owner's intent is to keep it for a long time, and keep it as close to showroom condition as is practical. We're not like Jay Leno, in that most of us can't afford to maintain our cars in an automotive "museum" environment, with a paid staff of mechanics and restoration experts. But we do the best we can on a modest budget. Keeping the 8 garaged in winter and taking a few steps with preservation in mind will go a long way in keeping the car in top condition. My daily driver may change over the next few years, but I hope I still have a low-mileage RX-8 for the weekends.
If I lived in a southern state with mild winters, no doubt I'd drive the 8 a lot more than I do here. You guys can consider yourselves lucky.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

its not only the salt for me, my road doesn't get plowed, I don't think the 8 was made for or deserves to be driven through 6 plus inches of snow numerous times

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Yes, salt is the true enemy. They use more and more of it around here every year it seems.

With its relatively low torque, given all season/snow tire equipment, the '8 is a pretty good Winter performer for a RWD vehicle. Of course the low clearance is a negative. I'd hate to fill up the front scoop with snow!

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Thankfully I know where the no sand/salt 'reservoir environmentally sensitive' areas are in my area and those are the only roads I traverse in Winter. Pretty extensive actually in a town aptly named Lakeville.

LHpitcher4

Might be a dumb question BUT......

Is there a website or something that would say which roads are "the no sand/salt 'reservoir environmentally sensitive' areas"???

jaderain

thanks for the info, I have my 2008 (got it in June) and here in Alaska (southeast) I am planning on letting her sit for most of the winter in my heated garage (sorry, have to use "her" as my wife of 20 years just decided she needed to dump me and our two children to help her be "happier"). Anyways, I've been wondering what I'm going to do here. I let the RX sit for a month, then had a good day and went for a drive. Over an extremely smooth stretch of road, she was NOT happy. Very wobbly, tires felt out of balance. I knew that they must of flattened out, and waited for them to "warm up". It took a LONG time, I was a little bummed. So, good news from the site saying to put "heavy padding" under the tires, that is first thing I"m going to do. I also plan on driving a couple times per month, around the block, to keep things lubbed and charged up, we'll see how it goes.

Just another note here, I have a good friend who drives his S2000 all winter here, even up to the ski hill. He puts studless snow/ice tires on and his car just RIPS! In many magazine articles I've read over the years, including RX-8, they have always said how terrible traction is with summer tires (expected), but how brilliant the car performs with the dedicated studless tires. I must admit I'm intrigued, but I have NO intention of taking my baby out in the snow! That is what my 4x4 truck is for! cheers, jaderain

shaunv74

If you put the car up on 4 jackstands and keep the tires off the ground during the winter the tires won't settle and flatspot. Other than that yes a good set of snow tires will get you around. It's not as good as a front driver or 4wd but you'll get around. In Alaska though I'd have to say all bets are off since you all are crazy up there anyway.

sorry about the family situation. Sounds like a good excuse to go turbo if you ask me.

zoom44

yep FI time

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

lol, a revival of my winter thread for last year

I got a grand prix for this winter, 27 mpg!!

Murph

I have an '04 and I've stored it every winter since I got it (in the northeast US). I put the battery on a Battery Tender charger, I put Fuel Stabalizer in a full tank of gas, and I leave the parking break off. The car is parked on the cement floor of an insulated garage, and I have a custom made cover.

My question is about the tires. I've been told to over inflate the tires to avoid flat spots. In the past, I've cranked them up to 45 psi over the winter and so far, I haven't had flat spots. Is it better to over inflate or park on carpets?

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Battery Tender user myself. Great gear. There's now a weatherproof version as well [of their "junior' model] for those with vehicles covered outdoors. Their models come with a nice quick disconnect cable that can remain on the battery.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

I just take the battery out and put it in my house, then recharge it in the spring or for those quick 'lube the gaskets' rides around the block on snow-free days.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

That's too much work and I like to take 'er out every couple weekends in winter to keep all the fluids flowing, prevent tire flat spots, etc. Far easier to just hook up the 'smart' trickle charger.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

lol, yea. I really dont take it out much though. Ill prob take it out 1-2 times before April.

04RX8man

Yeah this is my first winter of not storing my 8 I'm pretty excited all year round driving....but idk about next year may b back to storing it....

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

I love storing it, keeps the miles off and gives me time to work on it I typically mod all winter and enjoy during the summer months

karstman7

iTrader: (1)

this may be a noob question but what voltage battery does the 8 use...I am looking at battery tenders...

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

12 VDC, even in PA.

All American cars have been 12V since the transition from 6V in the early 1950's. About the same time the transition from generators to alternators occured.