Getting Car out of Storage
 

Well, the time has come finally for me to get the 8 out of storage, its been there for about 6 months. It's been outside unfortunately, through the arizona summer. Hopefully the silver paint is resistant to fading :(

I filled up the gas tank to the top before I left, and aired up all the tires to the maximum capacity. That's pretty much all I did. Was a short notice deployment, didn't have much time to do everything I wanted to do.

That being said, the oil in it is royal purple 10-30, nearing the 3000 mile mark. I'm pretty sure my battery is toast, planned on just buying a new one before I go start up the car.

I'm hoping that the gas will be fine, considering it's not very humid in arizona at all, though I'm not sure what causes water to build up in the tank. Any thoughts on that?

My main concern is the oil. I just need it to last long enough to get to the auto parts store to buy some oil, then back to the auto hobby shop to change it. I'm just scared shitless about the oil, and don't want to have to tow it.

What do you guys think? If there's anything else I need to do that I'm not thinking of please let me know.

It will be ok, I park my car almost all winter long here in Puyallup, Wa. I do have a batterie maintainer, to keep the batterie alive, and I do my oil changes every 7,500 miles like the book says, and the car runs great. Total miles 61,000+

You cannot do nothing about the gas, it's already there and you just got to finish it up, unless you want to take out the whole gas tank assembly and throw the old gas away...lol

On the oil...it should be just fine, just drive it to buy new oil, and have it change afterwards.

You change your oil every 7,500 miles?? That's odd to hear considering most '8 drivers change theirs every 3,000 miles tops.

+1 on the battery maintainer. If you have to leave it again for an extended period of time then try and pick one of these up.

I would try to siphon the gas out and refill it up with fresh premium if I were you. Sitting outside in one place so long exposed to the elements isn't the best situation. How far is the auto store away from your car? And could you just get a buddy to drive you there so you can change the oil without driving your '8? Shouldn't be a huge problem if not, but better safe than sorry.

^People are way too paranoid. It's only been 6 months! Not a long time for any drastic affects on your car. Look at how long dealers keep their cars on the lot.
Although, keeping it out in the elements isn't the best idea. You could have some issues with interior and exterior fading...
Taking the battery out is the only thing I do when I store for the winter.

Maybe I am paranoid, better safe than sorry when it comes to my '8.


Plus I tend to spoil it a bit much ;)

I'm pretty sure that's not true... why would most of them do so when the manual mandates 5K miles for severe duty and 7.5K miles for regular use? I'd think most people just follow what the maintenance schedule says.
Everybody has their own opinion about the change interval, but personally, I think the 3K is overkill and is just a result of the common myth, reinforced by the oil change places who want to have more business by persuading people about the 'every 3K' nonsense.

I change mine every 5K even though my car doesn't see 'severe duty' seeing that most of my driving is on the freeway.

For the OP: don't fret about driving the car to get new oil. Nothing will happen.

Your fine. The design of the wankle actually allows you to run the engine with no oil or coolant without a catastrophic failure unlike piston engines. I of course do not want to test these theories lol.

Bottom line your car will be fine. Be sure to rev it once she's all tuned up.

I do agreed, I have always done my own oil changes by the book, 7,500 miles and I have never had any problem, specially now that I use Royal Purple on all my cars!

I think most people on this site change at 3K. I've usually changed (or intended to change) oil at 3K on all the cars I've owned.

I agree that it's overkill, and a myth promoted by profiteers. But I do it anyway.

Ken

Why would you do that when you could just siphon it out?

Mine don't even make it to 2k for oil :lol: At 2k miles the oil is black enough for me. (i drive in heavy traffic). You only change out 50% per oil change too. Might be over kill, but I do it to all my cars unless they are on synthetic.

Changing the filter is more important given the amount of oil we burn and replace.

Thanks for the info guys, and yes I'm also paranoid.

I don't see any smiley faces, so I'll assume you aren't joking and are merely ignorant.
In any case, the above statement is absolutely FALSE.

I can't believe it took this long for somebody to say something about this remark.

I think the absurdity of the post spoke for itself.

Ken

He's gone.