corwtra

is it bad to store a rx8 all winter. or is it bad for the motor

Grog

iTrader: (5)

I would suggest that you store your RX-8 throughout the entirety of the winter season, yes.

And yes, the engine will explode.

tcole6

It's no different than any other engine...

Just check the oil more frequently (because it burns oil by design), redline it once a day (because of statement 1 it can tend to build up carbon a little faster than a piston engine), and never turn it off after you start it until the engine is up to speed, unless you want to spend all day deflooding the engine.

The rest is the same, IMHO. If it's bad for a piston motor, it's bad for a rotary engine (oh unless you mean reving to 9K RPM, because most pistons can't do that and the rotary will love you for it, hahaha).

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

That didn't even address his question....



OP:
No problem storing it for the winter. Just put some fuel stabilizer in the trunk, the battery on a battery tender, put rags or something in the tail pipe and intake openings (and anywhere else rodents might decide to use as a nest), and you will be fine.

New Yorker

Storing any car for months at a time isn't, in and of itself, good or bad. The fact that you wouldn't be using a car in severe conditions (i.e. ice, snow, salt on roads, sub-zero temperatures) is probably, all in all, a good thing - if you can get away with not using your car for several months. After all, you'd be saving wear and tear, and you wouldn't be driving in some dangerous conditions.

However any car that's being stored – including an RX-8 – would have to be prepared for storage first, and then prepared for driving after storage. I don't know the exact rules for storing a car, though I'm sure you can find them if you search. Here's a thread I found on vwvortex:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...e-SVO-is-up-to)

I imagine you'd have to disconnect the battery and then find a way to keep it charged. And maybe add Sta-Bil to your gas tank. Ideally, I suspect it's a good idea to put the vehicle on jacks or blocks so that the tires don't develop flat spots. But again, I'm no expert on storing a car.

So no… if you follow storage guidelines, it's not bad to store an RX-8 for winter. Just remember that there's a difference between storing it - and just parking it and not using it for several months. That would be bad.

FazdaRX_8

iTrader: (1)

I store mine for winter, I just make sure to start it and let it warm up once a month, but I don't set a storage date if the weather is bad I don't drive.
If its 80 in December with clear skies I would drive it

mike[piston eater]

iTrader: (3)

lolwut?

fyrstormer

You can shut off the engine cold as long as you rev it up for a second and then pull the key while it's revving down. The engine doesn't get any gas when it's revving down from high RPM, so any gas already in the combustion chambers gets swept out by the residual momentum of the engine as it's coasting to a stop.

jasonrxeight

so what you do is dump more gas into the rotor and hoping that all of it would swipe out when its spinning down?

fyrstormer

No, that gas gets burned. Where do you think the energy comes from to rev up the engine?

It does work, I've done it many many times when moving my car so I can wash it or just to get it out of the way. Never once had it flood; hell, I've never once had to crank it more than a couple seconds before it fired up. My experience trumps your snark.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

I don't drive my '8 in Winter (that's what my Jeep is for) So...

Full tank of 93 octane plus Stabil
Increase tire pressure
Plug exhaust
Battery Tender and electronic pest deterrent under hood
Wax finish
Winter grade microfiber cover
Let sleep zzzzzzzzzzzz......

Wake up by changing oil and deflating tires to nominal pressure.
Enjoy the insect and pollen-free months of April-early May

quazmosis

iTrader: (2)

I do exactly what Huey52 does. About middle of winter I go into the garage and instal the battery and turn it on, and fully let it warm up and idle. Just to get some life in it. Most likely not necessary.

laythor

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/fall-here-winter-coming-things-remember-about-your-rx-8-a-129198/

8upbad

iTrader: (3)

^+1. Great advice there.

mesaboogie

iTrader: (1)

It sucks putting your 8 away for the winter since you cant drive/enjoy it. But I absolutely love it when i take it out of storage in May for the summer and start her up and drive her for the first time in like 6 months. In my opinion, its feels like you just bought her all over again every time. And that is an awesome feeling

Storage Checklist:

1.) Full tank of gas with fuel stabilizer
---Filling the tank reduces oxidation in the tank. i never do fuel stabilizer but thats just me. I probably should start.

2.) Change oil
---If necessary. Checking all other fluids is a good idea as well.

3.) Unhook/remove battery
--- i just unhook mine and leave it in the car, i've never had it die on me. In the spring when i hook it back up, car starts right away, no problems

4.) Fill tires to their max capacity
---let the car sit on the tires all winter...the suspension is designed to continuously hold the weight. Plus the tires (i use kumho ecsta SPT) are soft, they have never given me weird bumps after having the car sit on them all winter long.

5.) Put steel wool or dryer sheets in tail pipes, engine bay, any place where animals could nest
---dryer sheets repel animals and some insects/bugs

6.) Wash, Wax, Vacuum
---Clean you're 8 up inside and out. I'm talking borderline show room condition. There's nothing worse than being excited to drive your 8 in the spring and finding its still a mess.

7.) Put dryer sheets and a box of baking soda inside your car (not on the seats!!!)
---this will absorb all the moisture and odor inside the cab. very important especially if you don't plan on opening the doors at all during the winter. I remember reading that dryer sheets on the seats can/will mess your seats up.

8.) Car cover
---Kiss her good night and cover her up so she'll be ready for you in the spring!

Do not start your car at all in the winter. Its better to just leave it off all winter and wait until you are ready to drive it again to start her for the first time. Everything above is stuff I read on this forum in one post or another and its exactly what I do every year and i've never had any issues with my 8

ZumnRx8

Free Post?