Cold weather exposes weak links in today’s vehicles, and this hour of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor breaks them down. Ron explains why modern car batteries should be replaced every 4–5 years—even if they still test good—and why where you buy a battery matters as much as the warranty.

He also dives into start-stop systems and CVT transmissions, explaining how they work, why oil and fluid maintenance is more critical than ever, and what drivers should realistically expect for longevity.

Plus, real-world winter diagnostics, including a no-heat-at-idle problem, air-bound cooling systems, and how to diagnose issues step-by-step without guessing. Practical advice, shop-floor experience, and straight talk for anyone keeping a car past the warranty.
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

 

 

 

Cold weather exposes weak links in today&rsquo;s vehicles, and this hour of&nbsp;Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor breaks them down. Ron explains why modern car batteries should be replaced every 4&ndash;5 years&mdash;even if they still test good&mdash;and why where you buy a battery matters as much as the warranty.
He also dives into start-stop systems and CVT transmissions, explaining how they work, why oil and fluid maintenance is more critical than ever, and what drivers should realistically expect for longevity.
Plus, real-world winter diagnostics, including a no-heat-at-idle problem, air-bound cooling systems, and how to diagnose issues step-by-step without guessing. Practical advice, shop-floor experience, and straight talk for anyone keeping a car past the warranty.
<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;

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 - January 31, 2026 - Hour 2 - Batteries, Start-Stop Tech, CVTs & Cold-Weather Car Problems

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b4dcccc3-0cdf-42bb-9c38-b3e30169e0bb/transcript

This week, Ron breaks down a story you won’t notice until your car is on the lift: the First Brands Group Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the wind-down of major North American units—impacting familiar names like Autolite and Cardone. Ron explains what this means for parts availability, backorders, rising repair costs, and why “instant gratification” is disappearing from auto repair. Then it’s on to calls: a tire-wear mystery on a Jeep in Maine, plus a Wisconsin listener with a new Chevrolet Silverado asking how to protect a truck that tows hard—DFM, oil choices, fuel quality, and why maintenance beats gadgets. Finally, Ron makes the case for the value of diagnosis with a real-world click-noise story that was misrepaired until the root cause was found.
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

 

 

This week, Ron breaks down a story you won&rsquo;t notice until your car is on the lift: the First Brands Group Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the wind-down of major North American units&mdash;impacting familiar names like Autolite and Cardone. Ron explains what this means for parts availability, backorders, rising repair costs, and why &ldquo;instant gratification&rdquo; is disappearing from auto repair. Then it&rsquo;s on to calls: a tire-wear mystery on a Jeep in Maine, plus a Wisconsin listener with a new Chevrolet Silverado asking how to protect a truck that tows hard&mdash;DFM, oil choices, fuel quality, and why maintenance beats gadgets. Finally, Ron makes the case for the value of diagnosis with a real-world click-noise story that was misrepaired until the root cause was found.
<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;

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 31, 2026 - Hour 1 - Why Car Repairs Cost More and Take Longer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/64d1b0b7-9a16-4125-967f-b3e301693a2f/transcript

With new-car payments pushing $600–$800 a month, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, tackles a question more drivers are asking: Is it still worth fixing an older car in 2026?

The answer often comes down to diagnosis versus guesswork. Ron explains why spending a little upfront to properly diagnose an intermittent or confusing problem can save thousands in unnecessary repairs—and help you avoid an expensive car payment.  From real-world calls involving hesitation, EVAP leaks, and “no-code” mysteries, Ron breaks down when an older vehicle is worth keeping, when it’s time to walk away, and how to talk to a shop so you get answers instead of parts swapping.

Bottom line: A diagnosed problem is almost always cheaper than a monthly payment.
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

 

With new-car payments pushing $600&ndash;$800 a month, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, tackles a question more drivers are asking: Is it still worth fixing an older car in 2026?
The answer often comes down to&nbsp;diagnosis versus guesswork. Ron explains why spending a little upfront to properly diagnose an intermittent or confusing problem can save thousands in unnecessary repairs&mdash;and help you avoid an expensive car payment.&nbsp; From real-world calls involving hesitation, EVAP leaks, and &ldquo;no-code&rdquo; mysteries, Ron breaks down when an older vehicle is worth keeping, when it&rsquo;s time to walk away, and how to talk to a shop so you get answers instead of parts swapping.
Bottom line: A diagnosed problem is almost always cheaper than a monthly payment.
<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 Doctor - January 24, 2026 - Hour 2 - Is It Worth Fixing an Older Car in 2026?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/510ef581-c109-456f-b045-b3dc016c3016/transcript

Ron “flies without a call screen” and it turns into a perfect shop-week story: storm prep, snowblowers, parts backorders, and why last-minute panic shopping doesn’t help if your car isn’t ready. Ron breaks down the winter checklist nobody talks about—spare tire access, jack tools, paperwork, lights, wiper linkage, and real-world preparedness.
Plus, calls on: slow cabin heat in a 2000 Silverado, tow/haul not working on an ’02 GMC, and a 2016 Nissan Altima CVT slipping—what to test, what to expect, and when to go straight to the dealer/manufacturer.
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 &ldquo;flies without a call screen&rdquo; and it turns into a perfect shop-week story: storm prep, snowblowers, parts backorders, and why last-minute panic shopping doesn&rsquo;t help if your car isn&rsquo;t ready. Ron breaks down the winter checklist nobody talks about&mdash;spare tire access, jack tools, paperwork, lights, wiper linkage, and real-world preparedness. Plus, calls on: slow cabin heat in a 2000 Silverado, tow/haul not working on an &rsquo;02 GMC, and a 2016 Nissan Altima CVT slipping&mdash;what to test, what to expect, and when to go straight to the dealer/manufacturer.
<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 Doctor - January 24, 2026 - Hour 1 - Flying Blind on Live Radio — and Still Fixing Cars

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/81a5e0f7-3ecd-4d01-87ec-b3dc016b90c3/transcript

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 31, 2026 - Hour 2 - Batteries, Start-Stop Tech, CVTs & Cold-Weather Car Problems

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