due to some issues with the local fuzz, my rx-8 is being immobilized for 90 days in weathering/outdoor conditions. what suggestions would you guys make for pre-storage preperation? I live in Michigan and snow can become an issue anywhere from as early to october, or as late as december (car being stored from August 17th to November 16th).

So far I have an oil change set for the 16th of August, and planning to put 10 gallons of gas in the tank with 1 bottle of gas stabalizer. What other suggestions would you make in preperations for the time that the vehicle will not be started/driven? Perhaps disconnecting the battery? any others? thanks in advance!!

 

You or the car being incarcerated? How about a car cover, I think you can get inexpensive ones at Target and Auto-zone type stores that you could treat like a throw away.

Good luck with whatever the legal problem is

 

a poor decision on my behalf. in either case, i was told if i do purchase a car cover, to make sure it is a vented cover so that condensation does not build up beneathe the cover and cause rusting issues to the car.

 

Disconnect the battery and don't engage the parking brake, otherwise you should be fine.

 

so this sound about it/right?:

1. disconnect battery
2. do not engage parking break
3. fuel stabilizer + 3/4 tank of gas
4. steel wool in both tailpipes to prevent material/debris from getting in the exhaust
5. full oil/filter change

 

it might be a bit **** (or only worth the effort for longer storage times) but taking the tyres off to prevent warping is something I've heard Supra guys in the states doing when they store the cars over winter.

 

If you don't want to remove the wheels inflate the tires to about 40 pounds. that should work to prevent flat spots over a 3 month period.

 

dont just disconnect the battery, take it out and hook it up to a trickle charger. I also suggest mouse traps or rat poison in the engine bay.

 

unfortunently removing the tires wont be an option since it is going to an impound. I will inflate to ~40lbs. Will also remove the battery and place it on a charger with a trickle charge running to it. thanks guys!

 

You can but you don't need to. Generally you use a trickle charger when the battery isn't disconnected or the battery is getting old.

Inflating your tires to 40 isn't going to do much. Flat spots are not that big of an issue with modern cars unless it sitting for years not months. Flat spots were a bigger issue with bias tires.

Kinda the same thing with stabil. Gas is decent enough these days that it doesn't turn your gas tank into varnish in a few months like it did 30 years ago. You would be fine without it.

With the tail pipes your better off putting a bar of irish spring soap in the ends. Rodents don't like the strong smell. They can pull the steel wool out.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/proper-storage-procedure-92611/

 

Only 90 days?

Heck, just wash it, wax it, clean the change out of the console for the impound fees, and don't worry about it. The flat spots will go away after a short drive.

I've gone longer than that without brushing my teeth.