Talked to an old timer at a storage lot in Tulsa that changed how I see long term parking

I was pulling a car out of a unit last month and this guy in his 70s walked up. Said he stored his 68 Mustang in the same spot for 17 years. He told me he never starts it. Said starting an engine that sits for months does more damage than leaving it alone. Moisture builds up. Condensation in the oil pan. I always thought running it every few weeks kept things fresh. He showed me a log book. He just changes the oil every two years and keeps a battery tender on it. That car fired up like it was parked yesterday. Has anyone else heard this approach before? Feels backwards but his proof was right there.

2 comments

2 Comments

smith.blair1mo ago

Moisture in modern synthetic oil is way less of an issue, but that old school logic might actually hold up better for carbureted classics than EFI cars. Would a modern engine respond the same way to that treatment?

grant.jade27d ago

Had a buddy try that trick on his 2015 Ford F-150 with synthetic oil after a short trip in damp weather. The engine ran fine but his mechanic found no real difference in moisture levels compared to skipping the hot run. So for modern cars with tight seals and heated PCV systems, it seems like more of a waste of gas than anything helpful.