Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

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 Bro...

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...

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...

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 li...

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 an...

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...

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...

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...

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

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 to...

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

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: CarDo...

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 bo...

Automotive Couples Counseling

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 de...

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:

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:

This week, Ron dives into the ever-growing role of technology in automotive repair. First, he welcomes Hugh Atkins of Drew Technologies for a discussion on computer flashing, module programming, and why software updates have become a routine part of modern vehicle service.

Ron then takes a call on a 2010 GMC Savana 3500 and discusses the pros and cons of switching to synthetic transmission fluid in a higher-mileage vehicle. Later, Harlan Siegel of Launch Tech USA joins the program to talk scan tool technology, diagnostics, and how today's technicians depend on advanced equipment to solve increasingly complex vehicle problems.<...

Ron starts the hour with not one, but two Repair of the Week stories that left even him shaking his head. Sometimes the hardest part of fixing cars isn't the diagnosis—it's understanding how they got into that condition in the first place.

Ron then takes a call on a 2004 Pontiac Vibe and answers a variety of maintenance and repair questions before welcoming special guest Jerry Ostalecki from GetGibbs.com to discuss lubricants, corrosion protection, and keeping equipment running longer.

Later, a listener with a 2007 Toyota Matrix calls after removing and reinstalling a factory CD pl...

A Car Dr. Classic repeat from February of 2026. Ron and the crew 

are off this weekend to celebrate Father's Day and get a little family

maintenance time. Enjoy!

Call the 24/7 Listener Hotline: (855) 560-9900

🌐 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.

A second hour Car Dr. Classic repeat from February of 2026. Ron and the crew 

are off this weekend to celebrate Father's Day and get a little family

maintenance time. Enjoy!

Call the 24/7 Listener Hotline: (855) 560-9900

🌐 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.

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, a listener preparing to fulfill a lifelong dream of traveling historic Route 66 sparks a conversation about America's automotive past, the roads that built the country, and the memories that still live along the Mother Road.

Ron shares stories about the history of Route 66, the rise of the Interstate Highway System, classic television, small-town America, and why some of the best automotive adventures happen when you slow down and take the long way there. From Burma Shave signs to roadside garages and forgotten towns, it's a reminder that cars have a...

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, a repair story that refuses to go away comes full circle.

Ron revisits the now-famous $16,000 Chevy Tahoe transmission repair, the real-world case that sparked conversations about whether it's better to repair the vehicle you own or start over with another unknown used car. But the story takes an unexpected turn when a chance encounter with a listener reveals that sometimes the lessons behind the repair matter more than the repair itself.

Along the way, Ron shares a behind-the-scenes look at spotting his own podcast billboard near MetLife...

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron shares the story of a 2021 Chevy Suburban that suddenly became a no-start vehicle four months after being repaired from an accident. What appeared to be a simple breakdown turned into a lesson in modern diagnostics, networked vehicle systems, and why today's cars can develop problems long after the original event that caused them.

Ron explains how fault codes don't necessarily tell you what's broken, only where the computers became confused, and why understanding a vehicle's history is often the key to finding the real answer. The repair ultimately...

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron takes a closer look at a growing trend across America: drivers are keeping their vehicles longer than ever. With new car prices climbing, repair costs rising, and monthly payments pushing record levels, many motorists are choosing to invest in the vehicles they already own rather than replace them.

Ron explains why a cheap oil change may actually cost more in the long run, how regular maintenance has become the key to long-term vehicle ownership, and why today's cars require a different approach than the vehicles of years past. H...

From the Car Doctor archives — originally aired October 2015.

In this classic episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron opens the hour with a thoughtful discussion about the emotional connection we develop with our vehicles—often without realizing just how attached we've become. Whether it's the family car that's been through years of memories or the vehicle that always seems to get us home, cars become more than machines.

Ron then helps a caller diagnose cooling system problems on a 2007 Mercury Mountaineer and takes a call from a 2013 Toyota Highlander owner whose wheels were nearly left...

From the Car Doctor archives — originally aired October 2015.

In this classic episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron shares the repair story of the week involving a 2003 Dodge Durango with a failed engine that spent five months sitting partially disassembled at another repair facility before finally arriving at R/A Automotive. The story serves as a reminder of the importance of proper diagnosis, communication, and choosing the right repair shop.

Ron also helps a caller with an Audi A3 displaying a P0068 trouble code, answers a listener email regarding airbag concerns, and takes a ca...

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron takes a closer look at how modern vehicles have changed—and why maintaining them requires a different mindset than ever before. From oil changes and coolant service to battery health and proper diagnostics, Ron explains why today's vehicles are more dependent on preventive maintenance than the cars of the past. He also discusses the different approaches drivers take when leasing, owning long-term, or keeping an older vehicle on the road, and why understanding your maintenance strategy can save thousands of dollars over the life of a car.

Later, Ro...

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron takes a closer look at one of the biggest questions facing drivers today: What does it really cost to own a vehicle? Inspired by listener reaction to last week's discussion of a $16,000 transmission replacement, Ron explores the difficult decisions vehicle owners face when major repairs collide with rising new-car prices, extended warranties, and long-term ownership plans.

Along the way, Ron explains why proper diagnosis matters more than ever, using a real-world air conditioning repair story to highlight the difference between simply adding refrigerant and actually finding the root...

Ron Ananian, host of The Car Doctor Radio Show, kicks off this hour with a look at why cars seem to break down at the worst possible times — and how driving habits, environment, and circumstance all play a role in vehicle failure.

From there, Ron takes a call on a 2011 Subaru with a persistent noise issue, walking through the diagnostic thought process of tracking down sounds that don’t always show up when you want them to. Then it’s on to a classic — a 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood with exhaust noise concerns — where age, wear, and old-school design all come i...

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, opens the hour with the story of a 2003 GMC Yukon that only acted up when it hit bumps in the road, proving once again that some of the toughest vehicle problems aren't found in a service manual. From there, Ron answers questions on coolant replacement for a 2011 Toyota RAV4, tracks down a troublesome shimmy on a 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser, discusses a Cadillac fuel injection concern from the email bag, and offers advice on bumper paint repairs for a 2003 Pontiac. The hour wraps up with questions about engine oil for a Honda Pilot and an...

Car Advice Done Right.

Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes

Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel

Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900

Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron opens the hour with a story that perfectly captures the reality of modern car ownership — a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe with just 105,000 miles facing a shocking $16,000 transmission replacement estimate. After visits to two dealerships and completely different repair recommendations, the customer turns to Ron with the question every driver eventually asks: What would you do?

Ron dives into the growing fear and confusion surrounding today’s vehicles, where advanced technology, expensive repairs, and overwhelming repair estimates are changing the psychology of car ownership. Are consumers paying for repairs — or paying for ri...

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor takes on one of the most debated topics in automotive maintenance this week: oil change intervals. After an Instagram post sparked a flood of listener questions, Ron breaks down why modern engines are harder on oil than ever before—and why the “one-size-fits-all” oil change recommendation no longer works. From turbochargers and direct injection to short-trip driving and long-term vehicle ownership, Ron explains how driving habits, maintenance philosophy, and engine design all affect oil life and long-term reliability.

Then, Ron welcomes Aaron Schaffer of Standard Motor Products for an inside look at modern...

This weekend on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron talks Memorial Day travel, record numbers of drivers hitting the road, and why fuel economy is about more than just the price at the pump. From tire pressure and fuel system cleaning to overlooked maintenance that quietly wastes gas, Ron explains the simple things drivers can do right now to save fuel, avoid breakdowns, and make summer driving safer. Plus, advice on wiper blades, cooling systems, emergency road gear, and why the best defense on a busy holiday weekend is a good offense when it comes to vehicle maintenance.

This is a Classic Car Dr episode from the past. Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, opens the hour discussing a question he was hearing more and more often — why are so many vehicles being recalled? Ron explains how growing vehicle complexity, electronics, software integration, and manufacturing challenges all play a role in today’s expanding recall landscape.

Along the way, Ron helps diagnose a 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis with a flashing red warning light and intermittent shutdown problem, takes on the mystery of a “possessed” 2003 Cadillac CTS with strange electrical behavior, and discusses the well-known oil consumption concerns affectin...

Volkswagen in the Hot Seat: Emissions Scandal, Transmission Questions & Real-World Repair Advice

On this episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron opens the hour with his thoughts on the growing Volkswagen emissions controversy and what it could mean for consumers, automakers, and the future of vehicle technology.

The calls keep coming as Ron helps a listener with a 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue wondering whether a PCM replacement can affect transmission operation, and another caller dealing with transmission concerns on a 2011 VW GTI.

Also joining the program is automotive journalist Paul Eisenstein of The Detroit B...

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, opens the hour continuing the conversation about fuel economy and why modern vehicles can lose efficiency long before a check engine light ever comes on. With Memorial Day and summer travel season approaching, Ron explains how issues with fuel trims, EVAP monitors, thermostats, wheel speed sensors, batteries, and basic maintenance can quietly affect fuel mileage and vehicle reliability. He also reminds listeners why now is the time to inspect tire pressure, batteries, fluid levels, and wiper blades before getting stranded roadside during holiday travel.

Later in the hour, Ron helps a Toyota...

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, starts the hour talking about rising fuel prices and why the real problem for most drivers may actually be fuel waste caused by overlooked maintenance issues. Ron explains how low tire pressure, dragging brakes, dirty air filters, weak batteries, and lazy oxygen sensors slowly rob vehicles of fuel economy long before a warning light ever appears on the dashboard. He also revisits the old-school “clothespin on the fuel line” trick and explains the vapor lock theory behind it.

Later in the hour, Ron talks with a listener considering the purchase of a late...

Cheap Gas, Sensor Failures & The Truth About Modern Motor Oil

From the archives — September 19, 2015 (Hour 2).

Ron opens the hour with a timely discussion on falling gas prices—and what “cheap gas” really means for your vehicle. Is lower cost fuel always a good thing, or is there more to the story?

Listener calls bring real-world problems to the table, including a 2007 Nissan Sentra with a failing cam position sensor causing hard starts and rough running, and a Chrysler PT Cruiser experiencing electrical gremlins after an ignition switch replacement—affecting both the radio and instrument...

Talking to Myself, Tuning Chips & Oil Consumption Truths

From the archives — September 19, 2015.

Ron kicks off the hour in an unusual way—talking to himself (literally) while working through a real-world issue with an anti-theft system on one of his own vehicles. It’s a candid look at how even seasoned techs think through modern car problems.

The calls cover a wide range of issues, including a 2004 Mercury Marauder with transmission concerns, and a classic 1990 Chevy Cavalier where the owner wants to convert from a four-headlight setup to a two-headlight system.

Ron also s...