Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

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Latest Episodes:

Does Safety Equipment Make Repairing Your Car Too Expensive? Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - August 22, 2026

Tune into this hour of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor as he welcomes Matt Moore of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, iihs.org . The conversation is all about the cost of repairing vehicles today. Does the safety equipment on the vehicle raise the price? Or is it something else? The answers will surprise you!

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Car Advice, Done Right

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📸 Follow Ron on Instagram: @ronananian

🎥 Watch repair tips and shop videos on YouTube

📻 Join the conversation LIVE Saturdays 2–4 PM

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What Will Your Next Oil Change Cost? Aug 22, 2026

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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - August 22, 2026

Ron opens the show today warning us of the problems he is experiencing with the availability and rising price of engine oil and all oil based products. He brings his perspective honed in the shop to air so we can all understand why our next oil change will cost more AND why we should be concerned if it doesn't.

Later in the hour he sits down with Jerry Reeves of Dayco products discussing serpentine & timing belts and timing chains. The how, the why and the when' of replacement. And the importance of paying attention to all of the systems.

Car Advice, Done Right

🌐Visit: CarDoctorShow.com

📸 Follow Ron on Instagram: @ronananian

🎥 Watch repair tips and shop videos on YouTube

📻 Join the conversation LIVE Saturdays 2–4 PM

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting Your Money's Worth Out Of The Repair! Aug 15, 2026

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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - August 15, 2026

A new battery. A new starter. And the Jeep still doesn't start correctly. Ron begins this hour with a reminder that replacing parts isn't diagnosing a problem. Modern vehicles can be incredibly sensitive to voltage, and sometimes the difference between starting and not starting comes down to a few tenths of a volt. Tell me what's good, and I'll tell you what's bad. Test first. Replace second.

Then the conversation turns to a 2009 Toyota Tacoma approaching 200,000 miles with a possible head-gasket problem, and Ron discusses how to confirm the diagnosis—and whether repairing an older truck can still make more financial sense than replacing it.

A particularly important call involves an 80-year-old Mustang owner experiencing frightening engine surges while stopping. Is it an intermittent vehicle problem—or could the driver unknowingly be pressing the brake and accelerator at the same time? Ron talks about troubleshooting the car while also preserving the dignity and independence of an aging driver.

Finally, an owner wonders whether it's time to retire his 159,000-mile Hyundai after several recent repairs. Ron puts the repair bills against the cost of a $24,000 replacement and asks the question every longtime car owner eventually faces: When have you gotten your money's worth—and when is it finally time to move on?

Car Advice, Done Right

🌐Visit: CarDoctorShow.com

📸 Follow Ron on Instagram: @ronananian

🎥 Watch repair tips and shop videos on YouTube

📻 Join the conversation LIVE Saturdays 2–4 PM

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does Automotive Technology Define Vehicle Life? Aug 15, 2026

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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - August 15, 2026

When did owning a car become so complicated—and so expensive?

Ron looks at the real cost of modern vehicle ownership, from a 2017 Ford Explorer facing thousands of dollars in water pump and timing-chain repairs to today's technology-packed vehicles where cameras, radar, modules, software, and networks all have to keep working long after the new-car smell is gone.

The question becomes: Is it cheaper to repair the car in your driveway, or start over with another one?

Ron also explains why maintenance remains one of the few automotive expenses you can actually control—and why the cheapest repair can ultimately become the most expensive one.
Plus, listener calls tackle Toyota fuel-trim diagnostics, a nearly new Chevy Silverado with a surprisingly complicated transmission-fluid service, and a 1980s Chevy Celebrity from Mexico City with an idle problem. Along the way, Ron asks another increasingly important question: Have modern cars become so complicated that we've taken basic serviceability out of the owner's hands?

Car Advice, Done Right

🌐Visit: CarDoctorShow.com

📸 Follow Ron on Instagram: @ronananian

🎥 Watch repair tips and shop videos on YouTube

📻 Join the conversation LIVE Saturdays 2–4 PM

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Is an Old Car Worth Fixing? Aug 08, 2026

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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - August 8, 2026 - Hour 2

When does a big repair bill make sense on an older, high-mileage vehicle? Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, talks with a listener facing that exact decision on a 2017 Ford Explorer with 225,000 miles and a failed internal water pump. Instead of simply asking, “Is the car worth the repair?” Ron looks at the bigger question: What would it cost to replace the vehicle—and how many more years can you realistically get out of the one you already own?

Then it’s back to diagnostics with a 1991 Ford Bronco suffering from cold-start and stalling problems, followed by a Cadillac with a dangerously hot negative battery cable that points toward a ground or connection problem.

Ron also revisits his Five-Minute Rule for the repair shop: if a technician has been struggling with something for more than five minutes, it’s time to ask for help. Good mechanics get the job done; great mechanics learn better ways to get it done.

Plus, why replacement bulbs for older vehicles are becoming harder to find, carbon-cleaning possibilities that could turn a $6,000 repair into a $500 repair, and Ron follows up on the debate over whether premium gasoline really contains more detergent than regular.

Car Advice, Done Right — with Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor.

🌐Visit: CarDoctorShow.com

📸 Follow Ron on Instagram: @ronananian

🎥 Watch repair tips and shop videos on YouTube

📻 Join the conversation LIVE Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good Mechanics Get It Done. Great Mechanics Find a Better Way. Aug 08, 2026

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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - August 8, 2026 - Hour 1

What separates a good mechanic from a great one? Sometimes it’s not what you know—it’s being willing to learn a better way and then pass it along.

Ron opens this episode with a story from another repair shop, where a frustrated technician was fighting a set of parking brake shoes on a Dodge Ram. A few minutes, a different approach, and a little shared experience turned frustration into a lesson: good mechanics get it done; great mechanics figure out better ways to do it. It’s also a reminder that the next generation of technicians needs experienced mechanics willing to teach, not simply stand back and watch them struggle.

Then the phones take over. Bill from Iowa shares the remarkable story of the 1938 Chevrolet he bought in 1962—and still owns today—including a Route 66 trip to California. John calls back about the mysterious 2020 Silverado engine that was mechanically locked but later freed up, leading Ron through the question every diagnostician eventually faces: Do you keep taking it apart, or are you closer to putting it together and seeing what it tells you?

Plus, a Honda Pilot suffers catastrophic engine damage after a timing belt fails only about 30,000 miles after replacement, raising questions about parts, workmanship and what was actually replaced.

And Ron closes with another issue facing repair shops today: When does the condition of a customer's vehicle become a health or safety hazard for the technician expected to work on it?

Experience, diagnostics, responsibility and a little wisdom from the service bay on this episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor.

🌐Visit: CarDoctorShow.com

📸 Follow Ron on Instagram: @ronananian

🎥 Watch repair tips and shop videos on YouTube

📻 Join the conversation LIVE Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't Bring Your Car to the Shop on Empty Aug 01, 2026

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August 1, 2026 Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor

Ever wonder why your mechanic asks that you bring your vehicle in with fuel in the tank? Ron explains why arriving with only a few miles to empty can delay repairs, prevent proper road testing, increase diagnostic time, and even create unnecessary liability for both the customer and the repair shop.

Then Ron answers listener questions about choosing the right brake lubricant, waking up a PT Cruiser after months of sitting idle, and whether "lifetime" transmission fluid really lasts a lifetime on a high-mileage Ram pickup.

It's another hour of practical automotive advice, real repair stories, and the honest perspective that only comes from someone working in the service bay every day.

🌐Visit: CarDoctorShow.com

📸 Follow Ron on Instagram: @ronananian

🎥 Watch repair tips and shop videos on YouTube

📻 Join the conversation LIVE Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your Cheapest Car Is the One You Already Own Aug 01, 2026

Show notes

August 1, 2026 Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor

With new vehicle prices climbing toward record highs and replacement costs continuing to rise, Ron explains why the smartest financial decision may be taking better care of the vehicle already sitting in your driveway.

He discusses the true cost of replacing a car versus repairing one, why deferred maintenance often turns into expensive repairs, and why a trusted repair shop is protecting far more than your transportation—it's protecting your investment.

Later, Ron answers listener questions about 88-octane gasoline, diagnosing electrical problems without guessing, cruise control repairs on a Chrysler, and tracking down an interior lighting issue on a Buick.

It's another hour of practical automotive advice, real-world diagnostics, and common-sense financial thinking from the repair bay.

🌐Visit: CarDoctorShow.com

📸 Follow Ron on Instagram: @ronananian

🎥 Watch repair tips and shop videos on YouTube

📻 Join the conversation LIVE Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's No Shortcut to Doing It Right Jul 25, 2026

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July 25, 2026

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron explains why the best repairs begin with the basics—not assumptions. A 2010 Ford Explorer with transmission trouble leads to a deeper discussion about water-damaged electronics, obsolete parts, and why replacing the obvious problem first often saves time and money. Then it's a conversation about Subaru's automatic stop/start system, warranty concerns, and whether aftermarket modifications really put you at risk.

Ron also welcomes Tony Ingram of Advance Auto Parts to discuss the right way to wash, wax, and protect your vehicle, including the growing popularity of ceramic coatings and why proper maintenance protects far more than just your paint. The hour wraps up with practical advice on restoring an older GM door latch when replacement parts no longer exist, plus a quick Mailbag answer on Nissan Titan steering repairs.

Whether you're chasing an electrical gremlin, wondering if a modification is worth the risk, or just trying to make your vehicle last another 100,000 miles, this episode reminds us that good diagnostics—and good maintenance—never go out of style.

🌐Visit: CarDoctorShow.com

📸 Follow Ron on Instagram: @ronananian

🎥 Watch repair tips and shop videos on YouTube

📻 Join the conversation LIVE Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Repairs You Shouldn't Make Jul 25, 2026

Show notes

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor -July 25, 2026 - Hour 1

Sometimes the hardest repair is the one you refuse to make.

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron shares the story of a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee with inoperative air conditioning that raises a much bigger question than a failed relay. When the factory repair requires replacing a $1,000 power distribution center, why not simply wire in a new relay? The answer comes down to professional responsibility, liability, and understanding the difference between repairing a vehicle and redesigning it.

Ron also helps parents navigate the pros and cons of leasing a first vehicle for a brand-new driver, offers advice on tracking down a mysterious drivetrain vibration in a Dodge Charger, revisits dealership parts pricing and customer loyalty, and explains how to restore an obsolete GM door latch when replacement parts no longer exist.

Whether you're a professional technician or someone who simply wants repairs done the right way, this episode is a reminder that every decision under the hood carries consequences—and the best repair is always the one you can confidently explain to your customer... or to a judge.

🌐Visit: CarDoctorShow.com

📸 Follow Ron on Instagram: @ronananian

🎥 Watch repair tips and shop videos on YouTube

📻 Join the conversation LIVE Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.