Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

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Latest Episodes:

Classic Car Doctor: Factory Programming Changed Auto Repair Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

From the Car Doctor archives (October 2015).

Long before software updates and vehicle programming became everyday repair procedures, Ron Ananian was explaining why the future of automotive service would depend as much on computers as wrenches.

In this classic episode, Ron sits down with Hugh Atkins of Drew Technologies to discuss J2534 programming, factory software flashing, and why independent repair shops need access to the same programming capabilities as dealerships. It's a fascinating look back at a conversation that helped predict where the automotive repair industry was headed.

Ron also welcomes Harlan Siegel of Launch Tech USA for an in-depth discussion on scan tools, bi-directional controls, and how professional diagnostics were rapidly becoming essential for every repair shop.

Also in this episode:

Should you switch an older transmission to synthetic fluid?
Understanding the Ford Focus DPS6 transmission clutch shudder.
Toyota RAV4 oil consumption concerns.
Why accurate diagnostics—not guesswork—save time, money, and unnecessary parts replacement.

Some of the technology has evolved since this program originally aired, but the principles of proper diagnostics and understanding how today's vehicles work remain as important as ever.

🌐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.

Classic Car Doctor : The Mechanic Makes the Scan Tool Jul 22, 2026

Show notes

Originally broadcast on October 17, 2015, this classic episode showcases the diagnostic philosophy that has defined Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor for more than three decades.

Ron shares two unforgettable repair stories from the R\A Automotive service bay. A 2008 Hyundai Tucson that spent three years bouncing between repair shops—and collecting unnecessary repairs—is finally fixed after one simple diagnostic test. Then a seemingly complicated no-start on a 2010 Toyota Yaris, already diagnosed elsewhere as needing an immobilizer or computer repair, turns out to be solved through careful testing, proper battery voltage, and a misplaced fuse.

Ron also welcomes Jerry Ostalecki from Gibbs Brand Lubricant, discusses scan tool technology with Drew Technologies and Launch Tech USA, and answers listener questions on a Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix.

The technology may have evolved since 2015, but the lesson remains timeless: great technicians don't guess—they diagnose. It's not the scan tool that makes the mechanic. It's the mechanic that makes the scan tool.

🌐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.

Ford's 10-Speed Transmission Problems & The Truth About Top Tier Gas Jul 18, 2026

Show notes

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - July 18, 2026

Is your Ford or GM 10-speed transmission shifting hard, flaring between gears, or acting unpredictably? Ron explains why these transmissions commonly develop problems, what should be checked before replacing a transmission, and why software updates, fluid condition, and valve body issues can all play a role.

Ron also answers questions about a high-mileage Acura RDX transmission, discusses whether it's smarter to repair or replace an older vehicle, explains what "Top Tier" gasoline really means and whether it's worth the extra money, and shares why preventative maintenance is still the least expensive repair you'll ever buy.

Plus, listener calls on diesel trucks, transmission diagnostics, and keeping high-mileage vehicles on the road—because good mechanics aren't expensive... they're priceless.

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 Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When One Glow Plug Can Cost You an Engine Jul 18, 2026

Show notes

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - July 18, 2026

A simple check engine light on a high-mileage 2016 Chevy Silverado Duramax turns into a lesson in why experience matters. Ron shares the tense, hour-long battle to safely remove a seized glow plug without turning an $800 repair into an $18,000 engine replacement—and explains why the best technicians know when to slow down.

Also this week, Ron talks with a Honda owner wondering if a dealership's $3,300 repair recommendation is really necessary, helps diagnose a no-crank Cadillac CTS, discusses Harley-Davidson starting issues, and explains why sometimes the most valuable tool in the shop isn't a scan tool or a socket set—it's decades of experience.

It's another hour of 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 Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Little Things That Make Cars Last Jul 11, 2026

Show notes

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - July 11, 2026

Ron answers a wide range of listener questions that all come back to one idea: smart maintenance pays off. From choosing the right spark plugs for a classic '69 Chevy Nova to synthetic oil change intervals, reviving a stored Honda CR-V, and whether to disable auto stop/start on a late-model Acura, the focus is on making vehicles last longer.

Plus, Ron explains why diesel fuel additives can be a worthwhile investment for owners of today's modern diesel trucks.

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 Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Double Whammy Jeep Air Conditioning Jul 11, 2026

Show notes

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - July 11, 2026

The Perfect Storm of Auto Repair

A simple A/C complaint on a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee quickly turns into a lesson on why repair estimates are only educated guesses. Ron explains how one failed component can uncover several more—and why proper diagnostics always come before replacing parts.

Also this week, Ron helps a listener solve a persistent EVAP system fault on a Kia Soul, explains why testing beats guessing every time, and answers questions about suspension noises and airbag warning lights.

Real diagnostics. Real repairs. 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 Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Which Engine Not To Buy? Jul 04, 2026

Show notes

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - July 4, 2026

Don't Let the Little Things Ruin Your Trip

Before you head out for your next road trip, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, has one simple question: Do you know where your wheel lock key is? It sounds like a small detail—until a flat tire leaves you stranded hundreds of miles from home. Ron shares a real-world story that proves the little things can quickly become big problems when you're on the road.

Also this week, Ron helps a listener choose between Ford's 2.7L EcoBoost and the legendary 5.0L V8, works through no-start problems on both a classic Mazda pickup and a Nissan Titan, catches up with Wall Stadium racer Quinn Trimmer for a mid-season racing update, and answers a listener's question about costly oil leaks on an aging Subaru.

Whether you're traveling across town or across the country, a little preparation—and a little automotive knowledge—can save you time, money, and a whole lot of aggravation.

🌐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.

Automotive Couples Counseling Jul 04, 2026

Show notes

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - July 4, 2026

Can a husband and wife experience the exact same car problem and remember it completely differently? This week on The Car Doctor, Ron Ananian explains why the most valuable diagnostic tool in his shop isn't a scan tool, lab scope, or smoke machine—it's the chair in front of the service counter. After listening to a couple describe an intermittent stalling problem from two very different perspectives, Ron discovers that the missing clue wasn't under the hood at all. It was hidden in their story.

Also this week, Ron helps a listener decide whether to restore a beloved 7.3L Ford Power Stroke with over 300,000 miles or move on to a newer truck, tackles a mysterious engine failure after questionable fuel finds its way into a late-model Silverado, explains an unusual Toyota Camry touchscreen problem, and answers a mailbag question about a Honda Accord that began overheating after collision repairs.

Sometimes the best repair starts with a conversation.

🌐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.

No Codes. No Clues. Just Good Diagnostics. Jun 27, 2026

Show notes

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor -June 27, 2026

A late-model Ford Edge had everyone stumped. Multiple repair shops, multiple replacement parts, no check engine light, and no diagnostic trouble codes—yet it still refused to start.

Ron explains why the best diagnostics begin before the engine is ever cranked, using live scan tool data like coolant temperature, ambient air temperature, battery voltage, fuel pressure, and barometric pressure to verify what the PCM believes is happening. It's a lesson in real-world troubleshooting that every technician—and every vehicle owner—can appreciate.

Also this hour:

A discussion on complete automatic transmission fluid exchange procedures.
A Hyundai Palisade with excessive oil consumption and what owners should expect from the manufacturer.
A Kia Sportage with stubborn brake bleeding issues after multiple hydraulic repairs.
Why diagnostics should always begin by identifying what's working correctly before chasing what's broken.

As Ron reminds listeners:

"Tell me what's good... and I'll tell you what's bad."

🌐 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.

How Many Parts Can You NOT Replace? Jun 27, 2026

Show notes

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - June 27, 2026

This week Ron explains why great technicians don't start by replacing parts—they start by proving what's actually wrong.

A stubborn Honda Accord air conditioning problem, a Ford Edge with two unrelated faults, and a discussion of real-world diagnostic strategy all reinforce one lesson: understanding how a system works will always beat guessing.

Also this hour: