# Mazda RX-8 **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** rx-8, mazda, engines\ **Created:** [February 13, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda-rx-8/44382 "2010-02-13T15:50:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Clueless2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Clueless2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless2)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda-rx-8/44382/1 "2010-02-13T15:50:03Z")
I am storing a 2004 Mazda RX-8 for a relative and have just found out that I should have been starting the engine at least once a week in order to keep the seals from drying out. The car has not been started for approximately 2 months. The temperatures during that time have ranged from -5 to +30 Has the engine been damaged? What can I do to minimize the damage? ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda-rx-8/44382/2 "2010-02-13T16:00:26Z")
2 months in nothing. The engine could care less about temperature unless the coolant is improperly mixed. There is no damage. These cars were slow sellers and many sat for months on brand new car lots. ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda-rx-8/44382/3 "2010-02-13T16:06:47Z")
I agree with Andrew J. You may want to place a battery charger on the battery to get the charge up on the battery. If the battery charge is too low you should remove it from the vehicle and let it warm up inside before charging it. Never charge a frozen battery. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda-rx-8/44382/4 "2010-02-13T16:21:18Z")
Some museums have found that their museum cars “keep” the best when they are driven, for a few minuets, on a regular basis (perhaps, once a week, or once a month?). ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 4:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda-rx-8/44382/5 "2010-02-13T16:37:26Z")
2 months is too short to worry about the engine. But…do you have the battery hooked up to a trickle charger? How much longer do you expect to store it? ---
**Author:** ![Clueless2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Clueless2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless2)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 5:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda-rx-8/44382/6 "2010-02-13T17:17:05Z")
This car may need to be stored for several more months. --perhaps as much as a year. I hadn’t thought of the trickle charger. Good idea! ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda-rx-8/44382/7 "2010-02-13T18:19:49Z")
Put some fuel stabilizer in the gas and drive it until that has worked through the system (15 minutes) then put it to sleep. DO NOT start it every week or two. The seals will NOT dry out any faster. If the time period is going to be a year, change the oil so it’s full of clean, fresh oil. Pump the tires up to maximum allowed pressure. I would disconnect the battery and charge it every 3 months or so… ---
**Author:** ![Clueless2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Clueless2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Clueless2)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2010, 8:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/mazda-rx-8/44382/8 "2010-02-13T20:33:52Z")
This is great information! You have all been very helpful. Thank you!