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 sits down with Jim McGinn of PowerTeq to talk about performance programming and what modifying your vehicle’s computer really means for drivability and reliability.

Rounding out the hour, a caller with a 2006 Toyota RAV4 asks about a technical service bulletin addressing excessive oil consumption—leading to a broader discussion about manufacturer fixes, expectations, and what drivers should know.

A mix of real shop insight, listener questions, and straight talk you can use.

Car Advice. Done Right.
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

Talking to Myself, Tuning Chips &amp; Oil Consumption Truths
From the archives &mdash; September 19, 2015.
Ron kicks off the hour in an unusual way&mdash;talking to himself (literally) while working through a real-world issue with an anti-theft system on one of his own vehicles. It&rsquo;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 sits down with Jim McGinn of PowerTeq to talk about performance programming and what modifying your vehicle&rsquo;s computer really means for drivability and reliability.
Rounding out the hour, a caller with a 2006 Toyota RAV4 asks about a technical service bulletin addressing excessive oil consumption&mdash;leading to a broader discussion about manufacturer fixes, expectations, and what drivers should know.
A mix of real shop insight, listener questions, and straight talk you can use.
Car Advice. Done Right.
<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>

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 starts the hour talking to himself - literally - about a problem he had with the anti-theft system on one of his vehicles this week : takes a call on a 2004 Mercury Maurauder with transmission issues : interviews Jim McGinn of PowerTeq about...

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - Classic Car Doctor - September 19, 2015 - Hour 1

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8f6356c4-d9b1-44ee-8188-b43e00f899d2/transcript

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 Tacoma owner work through an intermittent misfire problem by explaining how modern computers actually detect misfires and why live scan tool data is critical for proper diagnosis. Another caller describes a rough-running Chevy Sonic with a long-ignored check engine light, leading to a conversation about how vehicles adapt around existing faults and why delayed repairs can create additional hidden problems. Ron also helps a repair shop owner diagnose a difficult Chevy Traverse no-start condition involving CAN bus communication faults, module diagnostics, and theft deterrent issues in modern vehicles.

Ron wraps up the hour with a warning about a General Motors brake fluid recall involving certain AC Delco DOT 3 brake fluid products and reminds listeners to check affected part numbers before summer driving season gets underway.

Car Advice Done Right.
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 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 Tacoma owner work through an intermittent misfire problem by explaining how modern computers actually detect misfires and why live scan tool data is critical for proper diagnosis. Another caller describes a rough-running Chevy Sonic with a long-ignored check engine light, leading to a conversation about how vehicles adapt around existing faults and why delayed repairs can create additional hidden problems. Ron also helps a repair shop owner diagnose a difficult Chevy Traverse no-start condition involving CAN bus communication faults, module diagnostics, and theft deterrent issues in modern vehicles.
Ron wraps up the hour with a warning about a General Motors brake fluid recall involving certain AC Delco DOT 3 brake fluid products and reminds listeners to check affected part numbers before summer driving season gets underway.
Car Advice Done Right.
<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 - May 9, 2026 -  Hour 2 - The Problems Your Car Isn’t Warning You About

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/6056dce7-8caf-4bda-b587-b4450157a522/transcript

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-model Chevy Suburban Duramax with a branded title and discusses the risks involved when buying a vehicle with a complicated repair history. Another caller reports back on a difficult Nissan Murano misfire diagnosis that ultimately turned out to be three failed ignition coils on the same bank of the engine — a repair almost nobody would expect. Ron also helps a longtime Ford Escape owner decide what modern SUV might replace his trusted 235,000-mile daily driver.

It’s another hour of practical diagnostics, real-world repair stories, and common-sense automotive insight from Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor.

Car Advice Done Right.
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, 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 &ldquo;clothespin on the fuel line&rdquo; trick and explains the vapor lock theory behind it.
Later in the hour, Ron talks with a listener considering the purchase of a late-model Chevy Suburban Duramax with a branded title and discusses the risks involved when buying a vehicle with a complicated repair history. Another caller reports back on a difficult Nissan Murano misfire diagnosis that ultimately turned out to be three failed ignition coils on the same bank of the engine &mdash; a repair almost nobody would expect. Ron also helps a longtime Ford Escape owner decide what modern SUV might replace his trusted 235,000-mile daily driver.
It&rsquo;s another hour of practical diagnostics, real-world repair stories, and common-sense automotive insight from Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor.
Car Advice Done Right.
<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 - May 9, 2026 - Hour 1 - Why Your Car Is Quietly Burning More Gas

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bc51f64f-ed93-4451-9181-b4450157108e/transcript

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 cluster.

Ron is also joined by Ray Bogers, General Manager of Lubricants Technology at Pennzoil, for a conversation about evolving motor oil formulations, new standards, and what today’s engines really require for proper protection.

The hour wraps up with Ron revisiting and clarifying a few lingering issues from the previous program—bringing added insight and closure to earlier discussions.

Insightful, practical, and always focused on helping you make better decisions about your car

Car Advice. Done Right.
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

 

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Cheap Gas, Sensor Failures &amp; The Truth About Modern Motor Oil
From the archives &mdash; September 19, 2015 (Hour 2).
Ron opens the hour with a timely discussion on falling gas prices&mdash;and what &ldquo;cheap gas&rdquo; 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&mdash;affecting both the radio and instrument cluster.
Ron is also joined by Ray Bogers, General Manager of Lubricants Technology at Pennzoil, for a conversation about evolving motor oil formulations, new standards, and what today&rsquo;s engines really require for proper protection.
The hour wraps up with Ron revisiting and clarifying a few lingering issues from the previous program&mdash;bringing added insight and closure to earlier discussions.
Insightful, practical, and always focused on helping you make better decisions about your car
Car Advice. Done Right.
<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;
Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

Ron starts the hour talking about cheaper gas prices - and cheap gas : takes a call on a 2007 Nissan Sentra with a cam position sensor issue that is hard to start and runs rough : takes a call on a PT Cruiser that is having radio and instrument...

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - Classic Car Doctor - September 19, 2015 - Hour 2

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7317a32b-de43-4a07-9755-b43e00f8a9f8/transcript

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - Classic Car Doctor - September 19, 2015 - Hour 1

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