This Week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor

🛠 Opening Story – It’s All About the Diagnosis
Ron diagnoses a 2018 Chevy Traverse's cold-start rattle in 30 minutes—just a loose catalytic converter.
Moral: It’s not about force—it’s knowing where to look.

🧰 Caller: Stripped Drain Plug (Tom, AZ)
Tom’s shop says his Buick needs a $700 oil pan after stripped threads. Ron says:


Try a helicoil or time-sert first


Toggle plugs are temporary


After 22 years, give the shop a chance to make it right

🚗 Caller: Low-Mileage Tacoma (Tim, PA)
2016 Tacoma with 23k miles—what to replace?


Coolant: Yes, at 10 years


Hoses: Maybe wait till year 15


Battery: Replace if it’s original


Fuel system cleaning can help prevent carbon buildup
Reminder: Time matters as much as miles.

📦 Interview Preview – Aaron Schaeffer (Standard Motor Products)
SMP is more than engine parts—now making sensors, ABS, park assist, and more.
Buyer beware: Cheap parts online can cause serious issues.
SMP fuel injectors = OE-quality, U.S. engineered and tested.

🧠 Big Takeaways


Smart diagnostics save big bucks


Maintenance isn’t just about mileage


Quality parts + good shops = longer-lasting cars

📞 More Info


Live Saturdays 2-4PM ET


cardoctorshow.com


Instagram: @ronananian


Hotline: (855) 560-9900

This Week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor
🛠 Opening Story &ndash; It&rsquo;s All About the Diagnosis Ron diagnoses a 2018 Chevy Traverse's cold-start rattle in 30 minutes&mdash;just a loose catalytic converter. Moral: It&rsquo;s not about force&mdash;it&rsquo;s knowing where to look.
🧰 Caller: Stripped Drain Plug (Tom, AZ) Tom&rsquo;s shop says his Buick needs a $700 oil pan after stripped threads. Ron says:
<ul data-start="479" data-end="605">
<li data-start="479" data-end="516">
Try a helicoil or time-sert first
</li>
<li data-start="517" data-end="547">
Toggle plugs are temporary
</li>
<li data-start="548" data-end="605">
After 22 years, give the shop a chance to make it right
</li>
</ul>
🚗 Caller: Low-Mileage Tacoma (Tim, PA) 2016 Tacoma with 23k miles&mdash;what to replace?
<ul data-start="699" data-end="903">
<li data-start="699" data-end="728">
Coolant: Yes, at 10 years
</li>
<li data-start="729" data-end="763">
Hoses: Maybe wait till year 15
</li>
<li data-start="764" data-end="801">
Battery: Replace if it&rsquo;s original
</li>
<li data-start="802" data-end="903">
Fuel system cleaning can help prevent carbon buildup Reminder: Time matters as much as miles.
</li>
</ul>
📦 Interview Preview &ndash; Aaron Schaeffer (Standard Motor Products) SMP is more than engine parts&mdash;now making sensors, ABS, park assist, and more. Buyer beware: Cheap parts online can cause serious issues. SMP fuel injectors = OE-quality, U.S. engineered and tested.
🧠 Big Takeaways
<ul data-start="1206" data-end="1336">
<li data-start="1206" data-end="1242">
Smart diagnostics save big bucks
</li>
<li data-start="1243" data-end="1283">
Maintenance isn&rsquo;t just about mileage
</li>
<li data-start="1284" data-end="1336">
Quality parts + good shops = longer-lasting cars
</li>
</ul>
📞 More Info
<ul data-start="1357" data-end="1494">
<li data-start="1357" data-end="1384">
Live Saturdays 2-4PM ET
</li>
<li data-start="1385" data-end="1439">
<a href="https://www.cardoctorshow.com" data-start="1387" data-end="1437">cardoctorshow.com</a>
</li>
<li data-start="1440" data-end="1466">
Instagram: @ronananian
</li>
<li data-start="1467" data-end="1494">
Hotline: (855) 560-9900
</li>
</ul>

With over 40 years of repairing cars and 27 on the radio helping you repair them, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is an expert at everything automotive. Call us at 855-560-9900.

With over 40 years of repairing cars and 27 on the radio helping you repair them, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is an expert at everything automotive.  Call us at 855-560-9900.

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, master technician, and trusted voice in car repair and consumer advice. For more than 30 years, Ron has blended real-world shop experience with straight-talk radio, helping drivers understand their vehicles and the industry with clarity, humor, and honesty. As host of the long-running Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor radio show—heard nationwide across major networks—he brings diagnostics, storytelling, and practical wisdom together in a way only a seasoned mechanic can. Whether it’s a tough trouble code, a buying decision, or a behind-the-scenes look at shop life, Ron delivers the insight listeners rely on.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is a nationally recognized automotive expert, master technician, and trusted voice in car repair and consumer advice. For more than 30 years, Ron has blended real-world shop experience with straight-talk radio, helping drivers understand their vehicles and the industry with clarity, humor, and honesty. As host of the long-running Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor radio show&mdash;heard nationwide across major networks&mdash;he brings diagnostics, storytelling, and practical wisdom together in a way only a seasoned mechanic can. Whether it&rsquo;s a tough trouble code, a buying decision, or a behind-the-scenes look at shop life, Ron delivers the insight listeners rely on.

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor™

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - April 19, 2025 - Hour 2 - The Stripped Out Oil Drain Plug - (855)560-9900  24/7 Hotline

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cc447052-9929-44b5-8b40-b2c50019d561/transcript

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