Kinda late but, should I start my car once in a while when in storage. I started it after it had sat for a while (1 month) and it smoked like a bitch, but I didnt let it warm up.

 

Unless you actually prepare the car for storage, yes, I'd say that starting it up is a good idea. Depending on how long you plan on having it there, you might want to take it out for a spin too, to avoid flatspotting your tires. Also, put a cover on it so dust doesn't accumulate.

 

I've stored my car every winter since '93. I start it every 3-4 weeks and let it run for 15-20 min.

DI

 

The main thing when you start it is to let it run long enough to reach operating temperature so you don't accumulate moisture and it's never good rotary practice to start one up and not let it reach operating temperature. The best way to keep the tires from flat spotting is to put the car up on stands (flat spotting was more of a problem with bias ply tires) since the reason for storage is to keep it out of the inclimate weather.

 

If you prepped it for long term storage - No. If you did not, DRIVE it for at least half an hour. Starting it and letting it idle is a bad idea. Flatspots are not a problem for modern radials.

 

why is idle and moving back and forth down my driveway a bad idea? I am having some financial difficulties, so the car has to go into storage for a while (insurance costs were too damn high).... but I am trying to figure out what is the best way of storing her. I do not want to sell it... so she's gotta sit and be patient for a bit.

Thanks

 

Dan I noticed you are also in Michigan so we get to experiance the same good old climate Michigan has to offer.
My car has been been sitting in the garage since November and what I've been doing is starting it every 2-3 weeks and taking it for a spin for about 25 minutes. I just drive around the my subdivision and the connecting ones. And i've got a little straight where I can give it a good 2nd throw 3rd gear pull. For gas I just have been keeping it above the 1/4 mark and just go out and get gas in a container and bring it back and put it in the car whenever I need to. I also disconnected the connection to the battery that gives the car power (can't remember if its postive or negative but its the one closest to the front end) so my battery doesn't die out on me. Also if you haven't done so I would highly suggest switching to a 10W30 or 5W30 to help out with the cold starts. Frankly I think 20W50 is too thick for cold starts up here in MI.
Anyway I hope that helps. If you've got anything else you wanna talk about in relation to storing your FD here just PM me.

 

Make sure to keep a full tank of gas when storing it, to avoid moisture from accumulating on the inside of the tank.

 

I start my car every week and let it get up to normal operating temp. If the weather permits I take it for a spin around my subdivision and on the small surrounding roads around my neighborhood. Michigan winters blows...

 

this should not even need to be mentioned but make sure your garage door is open before starting the car...

And let it warm up all the way!

 

anybody have general advice for storing long-term 94 rx7?