Why Cars Cost More Than Just Repairs | The Car Doctor Podcast

From BMW leases to Toyota hybrids, wiring harness nightmares to blown diesel dreams, Ron Ananian takes calls that prove cars are more than machines — they’re a lifestyle choice. In this episode:


Should you buy out that BMW X5 lease or go Toyota RAV4?


Why a Ford E-150’s hidden wiring fault proves experience matters.


The safe choice when an Audi tire takes a sidewall hit.


One Marine’s $11,000 RAM EcoDiesel disaster and why he traded it for a Toyota.

Maintenance, safety, and smart decisions — Ron breaks down what every car owner needs to know before signing the next check.
Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com


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

 

Why Cars Cost More Than Just Repairs | The Car Doctor Podcast
From BMW leases to Toyota hybrids, wiring harness nightmares to blown diesel dreams, Ron Ananian takes calls that prove cars are more than machines &mdash; they&rsquo;re a lifestyle choice. In this episode:
<ul data-start="410" data-end="682">
<li data-start="410" data-end="469">
Should you buy out that BMW X5 lease or go Toyota RAV4?
</li>
<li data-start="470" data-end="539">
Why a Ford E-150&rsquo;s hidden wiring fault proves experience matters.
</li>
<li data-start="540" data-end="599">
The safe choice when an Audi tire takes a sidewall hit.
</li>
<li data-start="600" data-end="682">
One Marine&rsquo;s $11,000 RAM EcoDiesel disaster and why he traded it for a Toyota.
</li>
</ul>
Maintenance, safety, and smart decisions &mdash; Ron breaks down what every car owner needs to know before signing the next check.
<ul>
<li data-start="67" data-end="172">Grab your Car Doctor gear &ndash; T-shirts &amp; more at <a href="https://www.cardoctorshow.com" data-start="120" data-end="170">CarDoctorShow.com</a></li>
<li data-start="173" data-end="260">
Follow the wrench &ndash; Instagram @ronananian for shop life &amp; behind-the-scenes
</li>
<li data-start="261" data-end="333">
Watch &amp; learn &ndash; Auto repair tips &amp; videos on our YouTube Channel
</li>
<li data-start="334" data-end="419">
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 &ndash; (855) 560-9900
</li>
<li data-start="420" data-end="485">
Join the conversation LIVE &ndash; Saturdays 2&ndash;4 PM Eastern
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

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 - August 23, 2025 - Hour 1 - Car Buying, Motorhome Repair & Tire Safety - (855)560-9900

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1191e977-b428-4188-9156-b33f0160057b/transcript

It’s the last live show of the year on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor—and Ron explains what’s coming next: a Best-Of show next weekend, then back live New Year’s weekend. Ron also reminds listeners the broadcast becomes a podcast (search Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor on iHeart, Apple, Amazon, Google, and more).

Plus, a caller with a 2023 Ford F-150 faces a persistent check engine light tied to a catalytic converter concern—Ron walks through why this should fall under federal emissions warranty coverage, why the dealer’s diagnostic fee may not ultimately come out of the caller’s pocket, and what to do to get the repair properly documented.

Then the show rolls on with used-car shopping advice, EVAP and purge-valve talk, and a holiday closer you’ve got to hear.
Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com


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

 

 

 

It&rsquo;s the last live show of the year on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor&mdash;and Ron explains what&rsquo;s coming next: a Best-Of show next weekend, then back live New Year&rsquo;s weekend. Ron also reminds listeners the broadcast becomes a podcast (search Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor on iHeart, Apple, Amazon, Google, and more).
Plus, a caller with a 2023 Ford F-150 faces a persistent check engine light tied to a catalytic converter concern&mdash;Ron walks through why this should fall under federal emissions warranty coverage, why the dealer&rsquo;s diagnostic fee may not ultimately come out of the caller&rsquo;s pocket, and what to do to get the repair properly documented.
Then the show rolls on with used-car shopping advice, EVAP and purge-valve talk, and a holiday closer you&rsquo;ve got to hear.
<ul>
<li data-start="67" data-end="172">Grab your Car Doctor gear &ndash; T-shirts &amp; more at <a href="https://www.cardoctorshow.com" data-start="120" data-end="170">CarDoctorShow.com</a></li>
<li data-start="173" data-end="260">
Follow the wrench &ndash; Instagram @ronananian for shop life &amp; behind-the-scenes
</li>
<li data-start="261" data-end="333">
Watch &amp; learn &ndash; Auto repair tips &amp; videos on our YouTube Channel
</li>
<li data-start="334" data-end="419">
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 &ndash; (855) 560-9900
</li>
<li data-start="420" data-end="485">
Join the conversation LIVE &ndash; Saturdays 2&ndash;4 PM Eastern
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 20, 2025 - Hour 2 - The Night Before Christmas  (855)560-9900

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b744f853-ba58-4e4a-890b-b3b90169cf60/transcript

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor opens with a Christmas-season story that stops him cold at a red light in Ramsey, NJ—when he realizes a young couple in the car next to him is listening to his show on the podcast. From there, Ron dives into the real-world chaos of modern repairs: a 2012 Mazda 3 owner spends $1,800 at a dealership with no clear diagnostic paperwork… only to be told the next step is an “obsolete” engine computer. Ron explains why probability, parts availability, and honest research matter before taking a customer down an expensive road. Plus, calls on a Chrysler 300C oil pressure sensor code, Honda CVT fluid service intervals (and the confusion around filters and fluid types), and a hard-start condition that may point to fuel delivery or pressure-regulator issues.
Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com


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

 

 

 

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor opens with a Christmas-season story that stops him cold at a red light in Ramsey, NJ&mdash;when he realizes a young couple in the car next to him is listening to&nbsp;his show on the podcast. From there, Ron dives into the real-world chaos of modern repairs: a 2012 Mazda 3 owner spends $1,800 at a dealership with no clear diagnostic paperwork&hellip; only to be told the next step is an &ldquo;obsolete&rdquo; engine computer. Ron explains why probability, parts availability, and honest research matter before taking a customer down an expensive road. Plus, calls on a Chrysler 300C oil pressure sensor code, Honda CVT fluid service intervals (and the confusion around filters and fluid types), and a hard-start condition that may point to fuel delivery or pressure-regulator issues.
<ul>
<li data-start="67" data-end="172">Grab your Car Doctor gear &ndash; T-shirts &amp; more at <a href="https://www.cardoctorshow.com" data-start="120" data-end="170">CarDoctorShow.com</a></li>
<li data-start="173" data-end="260">
Follow the wrench &ndash; Instagram @ronananian for shop life &amp; behind-the-scenes
</li>
<li data-start="261" data-end="333">
Watch &amp; learn &ndash; Auto repair tips &amp; videos on our YouTube Channel
</li>
<li data-start="334" data-end="419">
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 &ndash; (855) 560-9900
</li>
<li data-start="420" data-end="485">
Join the conversation LIVE &ndash; Saturdays 2&ndash;4 PM Eastern
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 20, 2025 - Hour 1 - The Stoplight Honda Story (855)560-9900

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/06aece45-8cd4-4638-afb8-b3b90169338a/transcript

Do You Really Need to Warm Up Your Car?

On this episode of Mendte in the Morning on WOR Radio 710, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, clears up one of winter’s most debated questions—should you warm up your car before driving?

Ron explains what modern vehicles really need, why safety and visibility matter more than internet myths, and when a short warm-up actually makes sense—especially in cold Northeast mornings. Plus, why using hot water on an icy windshield is a very bad idea, how idling laws factor in, and what older vehicles still demand in freezing temps.

The conversation wraps up with advice on buying a car as a gift—why the big bow looks great in commercials, but real-world car buying should be an experience, not a surprise.

Catch Ron every other week on Mendte in the Morning, WOR, and listen to Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor wherever you get your podcasts on the iHeartRadio app.
Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com


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

 

Do You Really Need to Warm Up Your Car?
On this episode of&nbsp;Mendte in the Morning on WOR Radio 710, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, clears up one of winter&rsquo;s most debated questions&mdash;should you warm up your car before driving?
Ron explains what modern vehicles really need, why safety and visibility matter more than internet myths, and when a short warm-up actually makes sense&mdash;especially in cold Northeast mornings. Plus, why using hot water on an icy windshield is a very bad idea, how idling laws factor in, and what older vehicles still demand in freezing temps.
The conversation wraps up with advice on buying a car as a gift&mdash;why the big bow looks great in commercials, but real-world car buying should be an experience, not a surprise.
Catch Ron every other week on Mendte in the Morning, WOR, and listen to Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor wherever you get your podcasts on the iHeartRadio app.
<ul>
<li data-start="67" data-end="172">Grab your Car Doctor gear &ndash; T-shirts &amp; more at <a href="https://www.cardoctorshow.com" data-start="120" data-end="170">CarDoctorShow.com</a></li>
<li data-start="173" data-end="260">
Follow the wrench &ndash; Instagram @ronananian for shop life &amp; behind-the-scenes
</li>
<li data-start="261" data-end="333">
Watch &amp; learn &ndash; Auto repair tips &amp; videos on our YouTube Channel
</li>
<li data-start="334" data-end="419">
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 &ndash; (855) 560-9900
</li>
<li data-start="420" data-end="485">
Join the conversation LIVE &ndash; Saturdays 2&ndash;4 PM Eastern
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Ron Ananian, The Car Dr Talks Warming Up Your Car &  More on Mendte In The Morning, WOR Radio 710,  December 15, 2025 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b28969ee-a511-4bb4-b7c9-b3b500bb6763/transcript

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - August 23, 2025 - Hour 1 - Car Buying, Motorhome Repair & Tire Safety - (855)560-9900

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