In this episode of The Car Doctor , Ron Ananian takes calls from real drivers facing real dilemmas. Debbie from Wisconsin wonders if it’s finally time to replace her trusty 2005 Ford Explorer — and Ron walks her through the pros and cons of keeping an aging SUV versus buying a costly modern crossover. From certified pre-owned tips to Wrangler warnings, it’s a masterclass in practical car buying advice. Later, John in Maine tracks down a pesky P0480 code after replacing the cooling fan in his Jee...
Jun 28, 2025•34 min
🚗💡 “Cheaper” isn’t always smarter. This week the show, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor shared two stories that hit home: One listener passed on Ron’s $1,229 AC repair quote — using OEM parts and solid labor — and chose the cheaper shop instead. Even though he admitted it might fail. Another caller inherited a beautiful 2004 Chevy van from his mom… but the frame was rotted out. Emotion said fix it. Logic — and Ron — said let it go. The takeaway? “The cost of quality is remembered long after the pri...
Jun 28, 2025•34 min
Ron Ananian, The Car Docto r, takes call from Las Vegas. Harry has 2 older GM vehicles. A 2000 Chevy Tahoe and a 2012 Cadillac CTS. Both have some pretty serious problems and unfortunately Ron has to be the bearer of bad news. Harry from Vegas has a 2000 Tahoe burning oil badly on the highway and a 2012 Cadillac CTS with a leaking head gasket or maybe a porous engine block. Ron suspects stuck oil rings and suggests trying Stiction Eliminator before considering a rebuild. The second problem invol...
Jun 22, 2025•12 min
Ron Ananian, The Car Docto r, is back with more real calls from everyday drivers like you: Harry from Vegas has a 2000 Tahoe burning oil badly on the highway and a 2012 Cadillac CTS with a leaking head gasket or maybe a porous engine block. Ron suspects stuck oil rings and suggests trying Stiction Eliminator before considering a rebuild. Spencer from Michigan reports his Chevy Impala’s fuel gauge jumping all over the place, but the car’s fuel economy is fine. Ron believes it’s a faulty gauge, no...
Jun 21, 2025•34 min
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor opens the show with a surprising report: new Chevy vans are under a “stop sale” unless you’re a fleet buyer purchasing six at a time . After verifying this with three NJ dealers, Ron questions why Chevy is pulling back on such a practical vehicle — especially when contractors and families still want vans , but can't get them. This leads to a broader rant: Ford dropped the Econoline for harder-to-service Transit vans, GM vans are disappearing, and essential parts like ...
Jun 21, 2025•34 min
This is the stand alone interview from the June 7, 2025 Hour 1 Show. Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor , sat down with Cherokee Hart , Finance Manager at Mahwah Ford , to discuss the current automotive market landscape , focusing on two key topics: 1. Impact of New Car Tariffs Cherokee provided valuable insight into how recent tariffs on imported auto parts and vehicles are affecting both pricing and availability in the showroom. Key takeaways include: Tariffs are driving incremental price increases ,...
Jun 15, 2025•19 min
Quick Recap – Ron Ananian: The Car Doctor Real calls, real problems, real solutions—from a trusted mechanic who actually cares. 🔧 Mark – ’98 F-150 Overheating Still runs hot after major cooling system repairs. Ron’s take: Check coolant flow—could be a bad new water pump, internal rust blockage, or missing airflow panels under the truck. 🛠️ Joel – ’94 Lexus LS400 Brakes Soft pedal after a DIY brake job with his son. Ron’s advice: Bleed the master cylinder first. ABS needs a specific process. Ro...
Jun 15, 2025•34 min
Critters in Cars: A Surprise Repair “It’s like cheap underwear—it creeps up on you when you least expect it.” This week, Ron shared a classic “Critters in Cars” story. A 2014 Honda Accord rolled into the shop with two unrelated fault codes: one for the throttle body and one for the purge valve . No connection between them—except that they were both on the same vehicle. Turns out, the throttle body was filthy —carbon buildup so bad it gouged a ring in the housing. The fix? A new throttle body and...
Jun 15, 2025•33 min
This is the stand alone interview from the June 7, 2025 Hour 1 Show. Ron Ananian ("The Car Doctor") and Isaac Nielsen of Mahle Aftermarket discuss modern automotive A/C systems, focusing on R-1234yf refrigerant and the importance of proper service equipment . R-1234yf replaced R-134a and requires stricter handling due to contamination risks. All A/C machines now include oxygen sensors and refrigerant identifiers to ensure refrigerant purity (≥98%) and prevent system damage. DIY charge kits and l...
Jun 13, 2025•15 min
I n this Stand Alone Interview from the June 7th, 2025 Show: Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor sits down with Scott Brownstein of CRC Industries to talk about a wide range of topics and service procedures do's and don'ts for successful auto repair results. Visit us at https://www.cardoctorshow.com Check out our Web Site for T-Shirts & Clothing! Follow Us On Instagram - @ronananian Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900 Live Ca...
Jun 10, 2025•16 min
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, opens the hour with Cherokee Heart from Mahwah Ford, discussing how tariffs are beginning to impact car prices—particularly for the Mach-E, Maverick, and Bronco Sport. While Ford is absorbing some of the cost increases, buyers may still see higher prices. Financing remains accessible even for those with fair credit, and although leasing has become more expensive, Ford is offering attractive incentives. Cherokee advises acting now before tariff-affected inventory hits...
Jun 08, 2025•34 min
On this episode of The Car Doctor , Ron Ananian helps a caller with a 2002 Isuzu Trooper that lost four-wheel drive. He advises scanning for common fault codes tied to speed sensors or the vacuum switch but warns that parts for old Isuzu's are hard to find, which may make repair impractical. Ron also addresses a prior caller’s claim that AC Delco batteries are subpar because they use recycled materials. A listener corrects this, pointing out that nearly all modern batteries are made with recycle...
Jun 08, 2025•34 min
Visit us at https://www.cardoctorshow.com Check out our Web Site for T-Shirts & Clothing! Follow Us On Instagram - @ronananian Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900 Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time Visit us at https://www.cardoctorshow.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jun 02, 2025•13 min
🚘 Today on Ron Ananian: The Car Doctor 🔧 Ron tackled myths, misdiagnoses, and the real science of fixing cars: 🔋 Battery Confusion – Cold = weak battery? Yes. But replacing it every 3–4 years “just because” is fear, not fact. 🚗 Toyota Knock – V6 top-end noise? Start simple: belt off, check VVT, use your ears before your wrench. 🛠️ Hyundai Headache – 1 year, $3.5K in parts, still no fix. Might not be the engine—could be the trans starting in 2nd gear. 🧠 The real fix? Science, logic, testing...
Jun 01, 2025•35 min
🚗💬 This week on Ron Ananian: The Car Doctor 🔧 Ron tackled what really matters in car repair: honesty, method, and smart business. 🛑 "Reasonable Repair" – Don’t throw money at rust buckets. Ron helped a customer with a 17-year-old Mitsubishi realize when it's time to let go —focusing on safety first, not pointless repairs. 🔍 Main Call: 1973 Opel Manta – Paul’s classic car sputters & stalls. Ron lays out a step-by-step diagnostic plan: ✅ Spark strength ✅ Coil voltage ✅ Fuel pump vacuum te...
Jun 01, 2025•35 min
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor shares a story about a first-time customer who brought in a 2008 Volvo with a salvage title. Shop policy required a full inspection, which the customer agreed to, but his wife was upset about the cost and disclosure. Ron stresses the importance of honesty, comparing it to telling a doctor your full medical history. The inspection revealed past rear damage, but the car was safe if properly maintained. Later, a caller named Jim sought advice on fixing a persistent oil l...
May 24, 2025•35 min
In this episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor he previews a Memorial Day tradition featuring a past interview with his late Uncle Steve, a WWII pilot. He takes a call from Nancy in Wisconsin, who asks about using fuel system cleaner in her 2020 Chevy Trax. Ron approves, recommending it at every oil change or monthly as preventative care. He also advises her to check if major services like the 30,000-mile maintenance were done and to prepare for the upcoming 60,000-mile service. He encourages st...
May 24, 2025•35 min
Call Of The Week - Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor Vehicle: 2008 Honda Ridgeline Issue: Blower fan and AC stop working after restarting the car (typically after refueling) Behavior: No blower, no AC compressor Comes back on after driving or waiting Happens intermittently Most Likely Cause: Blower Motor Power Transistor (Resistor Module) Controls blower speed and provides ground Common failure point on this vehicle Failure prevents both blower and AC compressor from working Recommended Action: Replac...
May 19, 2025•9 min
Week in Review: Orchestrating Chaos in the Shop In this episode, The Car Doctor Ron Ananian reflects on a jam-packed week at his repair shop. Despite starting with an empty schedule, by Tuesday the shop was overflowing with work—requiring fast decisions and careful coordination to manage the mechanical mayhem. Highlights from the Shop Floor 2005 PT Cruiser: A long-neglected vehicle returned with cooling issues. Years after ignoring Ron’s advice to replace the timing belt, the owner finally faced...
May 18, 2025•35 min
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor – Memorial Day & Auto Advice Ron opens the show by previewing next weekend’s Memorial Day episode, which will again feature archived interviews with his late Uncle Steve—a WWII P-51 fighter pilot. This tradition honors veterans and reminds listeners of the deeper meaning behind the holiday. Listener Calls: Frank (2019 Honda Touchscreen Issue): Ron advises against disconnecting the battery and recommends a professional diagnostic at the dealership. Documenting the ...
May 18, 2025•35 min
In this Call Of The Week from Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor Radio Show... Joe from Pennsylvania has a 2010 Chevy Impala that intermittently gets stuck in Park . The shifter doesn’t have a manual release , and AAA refuses to tow it in that condition. Ron explains the issue likely involves the shift interlock circuit , which depends on the brake light switch , Body Control Module (BCM) , and a solenoid controlled by a dark green wire with a white stripe . Ron advises Joe to: Check if brake lights wo...
May 11, 2025•10 min
Ron Ananian "The Car Doctor" Radio Show: Ron opens the show by discussing recent media appearances, particularly focusing on dashboard warning lights, with a segment on the check engine light drawing significant listener interest across social media platforms. Ron then takes us on a deeper dive into the check engine light; what it means when it turns on and then off intermittently, He emphasizes that modern cars constantly self-test their systems—especially emission-related components—and even t...
May 10, 2025•35 min
🚗 Car Doctor Episode Recap: Safety First! 🛠️ with Ron Ananian This week, Ron dives into vehicle neglect and safety concerns , with real examples from his shop: 🔧 2015 Chevy City Express Van – Tire cords were exposed and flapping, yet the driver was still using it daily. 🔧 Brake Failure – A car had no rear brake pad left, but the owner ignored the noise because “it went away.” 🔧 2002 Honda Odyssey – Rear wheel bearing was so destroyed the wheel was nearly detaching! 💡 Ron’s Message : Times ...
May 10, 2025•35 min
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor on KVOI 1030 AM: Summary of Interview with Ron Ananian on KVOI AM 1030: In this interview with Host Allen Kath, on KVOI AM 1030, car expert and radio host Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, discusses the essentials of summer car care and travel preparation . Drawing on over 50 years of automotive repair experience, Ananian shares practical advice for everyday drivers, emphasizing preventative maintenance to avoid breakdowns during road trips. Key points from the discussion ...
May 06, 2025•36 min
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor AI Comes to Automotive Diagnostics In this forward-looking episode, Ron Ananian dives into the future of auto repair technology with guests Steve Etheridge and Jim Fish from Opus IVS . Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is being integrated into modern diagnostic tools—and what that means for technicians, shops, and the automotive industry as a whole. Key Highlights: 🔧 Introduction of the DrivePro 2 Scan Tool Learn about Opus IVS's newest innovation, t...
May 03, 2025•35 min
Podcast Episode: The Right to Repair—A Farmer’s Fight for Independence Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor In this powerful episode, Ron Ananian shifts the conversation on the Right to Repair from the garage to the fields, speaking with Jared Wilson , a multi-generation farmer from Missouri. Together, they expose the real-world impact of restrictive repair policies on American agriculture and the broader implications for all of us. Key Highlights: 🚜 A Farmer’s Perspective on Right to Repair Jared Wilso...
May 03, 2025•35 min
Here's a summary and bullet point breakdown of the call between Eric from Pennsylvania and Ron Ananian on The Car Doctor radio show from April 26, 2025: 🔧 Caller Issue: Vehicle: 2013 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ Mileage: 230,000 miles Engine: Multiple crate engine replacements (current one is 3rd crate engine) Main Symptom: Voltage drops from ~14V to 10V during driving, especially on long trips. AC compressor shuts off when voltage drops. Vehicle eventually enters limp mode. Turning headlights on bri...
Apr 27, 2025•12 min
🎙️ Ron Ananian: The Car Doctor — Episode Recap Main Topic: The True Cost of Diagnosis & What It Really Takes to Fix Modern Vehicles Special Note: Catch Ron on WOR Radio (NY) at 9:40 AM, Monday, May 5 to kick off a special series on Dashboard Warning Lights — starting with the infamous Check Engine Light . 🔧 This Week’s Opening Rant: Diagnosis Costs Are No Joke Ron opens the show addressing a hot topic: “Why are diagnosis costs so high — and why are people so shocked?” With today’s vehicles...
Apr 27, 2025•36 min
Episode Summary: Ron Ananian – The Car Doctor Car Repair is Getting Tougher : Ron emphasizes that modern car repair requires constant learning. Vehicles are more complex, and assumptions can lead to misdiagnosis. Case Study – 2015 Toyota Tacoma, Crank No-Start : Towed into the shop with a crank-no-start issue. Suspected fuel pump failure. Two options to access it: Drop the rusted fuel tank (difficult due to NJ winters and corrosion) Remove the truck bed instead — easier and safer Diagnosed fuel ...
Apr 27, 2025•35 min
Classic Car Doctor - Ron Ananian: The Car Doctor – Episode Summary 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Flash Update : Ron revisits a caller’s issue with being charged for a software update (PCM/TCM flash). He believes the dealer may be misrepresenting the service, since emissions-related components like PCMs are usually covered under an 8-year/80,000-mile federal warranty . He advises the caller to push back and escalate the issue. 2010 Ford Escape Airbag Concern : A listener finds out that after a 2010 ac...
Apr 21, 2025•17 min
