I need a checklist to go by for storing my RX-8 in a non-climate controlled storage unit for 6 months from April to September. Should I fill it up? Should I disconnect the battery? I know this is a general car question, but I'm not sure if there are special considerations for this car. I just bought it a few weeks ago and I want it to be the same when I get back.

 

This article might be helpful...

It's from a publication called Canadian Driver. It's about winter car storage. Some of the principles should be the same....sort of....except you're not driving a sports car in the months in which it was intended to be driven.

Hope you're planning a nice trip or have more interesting transport planned for those months! :D

-Eric

 

I'll be riding a bicycle in Japan for those 6 months. I'll be on a military deployment.

 

You'll need to put fuel stabilizer in the tank for that length of time and run the stabilizer into the injection system. Don't just dump it in the tank. You need to run the car to get it into the injection system, and make sure that the tank is full before you store it or condensation will dump water in your tank. Change the oil before you store, and pump the tires up to a higher level to keep the tires from flatting. Disconnect the battery and lock it up. However, if you disconnect the battery, there are a few things that you will need to know that are in the owner's manual about resetting some of the electronics. That's all I can think of off the top of my head. Have a good one.

 

I don't think I added any fuel stabilizer when I put in storage back in november . When I go and take the car out in the next couple of weeks, will I have any problem? Am I doomed? The tank was full and I disconnected the battery when I had put it in.

 

No, you're not hammered. It's just a good idea to keep the injectors from getting clogged with Shellac as the more volatile elements of gasoline evaporate out of the fuel system. The car will probably start fine, although it might run a little off for the first tank since the fuel may have evaporated down a bit. Once you run clean gas through it, all will be well.

 

Thanks for the reply, Haze. I was having sleepless nights thinking about this. I know what I'll be doing the next time I put it away for the winter.