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Battery Basics, Getting Bugs Off of the Vehicle, Fuel Efficiency Failure

Battery Basics, Getting Bugs Off of the Vehicle, Fuel Efficiency Failure

WCCO's Car Care Oct 11, 2025 26 min
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About this episode

Exploring essential car care tips, this episode dives into battery maintenance, rust prevention, and effective ways to remove bugs and sap from vehicles. ASC certified technician Nick Stoffel shares insights on common car issues, emphasizing the importance of regular checks, especially as temperatures drop. Listeners learn about the significance of battery age, the benefits of undercarriage washes, and how to keep older vehicles rust-free. With practical advice and listener questions, the episode is packed with valuable information for maintaining your car's performance and appearance.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

solenoid

"...Is this a starter? Is it a solenoid?"

A solenoid is a small part that helps the starter work. It helps connect the battery to the starter when you turn the key to start the car.

Term

starter

"...is this a starter? Is it a solenoid?"

The starter is a part of the car that helps turn the engine on. If it doesn't work, the car won't start at all.

Part

battery

"Is it just the battery? So I thought, well, I'm going to do a little test."

A battery in a car is what gives it power to start and run things like the lights and radio. If the battery is dead, the car won't start.

Term

jumpstart

"I thought, well, I'm going to do a little test. I'll take my wife's truck outside and I jumpstart. Boom, popped right off."

Jumpstarting means using another car's battery to help start your car when the battery is dead. You connect the two batteries with cables to give your car the power it needs to start.

Term

oil viscosity

"...the oil gets a little thicker. That starter's going to need a little extra amperage..."

Oil viscosity is how thick or thin the oil in your engine is. When it's cold, the oil gets thicker, which can make it harder for the engine to start.

Term

amperage

"...that starter's going to need a little extra amperage from that battery."

Amperage is how much electricity is flowing through a wire. When it's cold, a car's starter needs more electricity from the battery to work.

Car

Toyota Camry

"What is the best way to keep a 13 year old Camry relatively rust free for the next 10 years? I'm p..."

The Toyota Camry is a popular car that many people buy because it's dependable and easy to drive. It's known for lasting a long time, so people often talk about how to take care of older models to keep them in good shape. If you have a 13-year-old Camry, you might want to know how to prevent rust and keep it running well.

Car

Honda Accordi

"...I'm the original owner of a 2014 Honda Accord XL, 80,000 miles on it. During the hottest part of the summer,..."

The Honda Accord is a well-known car that many people like because it's reliable and comfortable. The XL version usually has more features than the basic model.

Car

Toyota Avalon

"I have a 2013 Toyota Avalon and my high beams will not stay on"

The Toyota Avalon is a large car that is designed for comfort and space. The 2013 version has a strong engine and many features that make it easy to drive and enjoy.

Term

turn indicator stalk

"when you push the turn indicator stock in, but if you pull it toward you, they do come on. I'm wondering where I start looking to fix that."

The turn indicator stalk is the lever you use to signal when you're turning or changing lanes. It's usually found on the steering wheel column.

Term

high beam

"...it's supposed to stay illuminated on the high beam. So something within that stock, as we would refer to it, has gone faulty."

High beams are the bright lights on your car that help you see far ahead at night. You should only use them when there are no other cars around to avoid blinding other drivers.

Car

Chevy Suburban

"...I have a 2005 Chevy Suburban"

The Chevy Suburban is a large SUV that can carry many passengers and has a lot of space for cargo. It's popular for families and people who need to tow things.

Car

Toyota Land

"I purchased, Texter says a 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser last year was wondering, do I need to rustproof the underbody to prevent any possible corrosion?"

The 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser is a big SUV that can handle rough terrains and is also comfortable for everyday use. It's popular for its strength and luxury.

Term

rustproofing

"do I need to rustproof the underbody to prevent any possible corrosion?"

Rustproofing is a way to keep cars from getting rusty. It usually means putting a special coating on the metal parts to protect them from water and salt that can cause rust.

Term

undercoating

"Toyota told me that they dip the frame during manufacturing, but do not undercoat. Is there a difference between the two?"

Undercoating is a special treatment applied to the bottom of a car to protect it from rust. It helps keep the metal safe from water and dirt that can cause damage.

Car

Hyundai Elantra

"Here's the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, running lights, intermittent working. Could this be a short?"

The Hyundai Elantra is a small car that is good on gas and has a lot of modern features. The 2020 version has a new look and some updated technology, making it a good option for people looking for an affordable car.

Term

intermittent issue

"Most likely, in any time we see an intermittent issue, the fuse is not bad, you know, a bulb is not bad."

An intermittent issue is a problem that happens sometimes but not all the time. This can make it tricky to figure out what's wrong because it doesn't happen every time you check it.

Car

Chevrolet Silverado

"the trailer brakes on my 2018 Silverano have not been working. I replaced the brake control module."

The Chevrolet Silverado is a large truck that can carry heavy loads and is often used for work or towing. The 2018 version has many features that help with these tasks.

Part

brake control module

"I replaced the brake control module. They still don't work."

The brake control module is a part of the car that helps control the brakes, especially when towing something. If it's not working, the brakes may not function properly.

Term

flashed

"Does it need to be flashed? I'm not sure what that means."

Flashing means updating the software in a car's computer system. Sometimes, when you change parts, you need to do this so the new part works properly with the car.

Term

programming

"In some vehicles, when we replace modules, we have to program them or initiate them to the vehicle."

Programming is when you set up a new part in a car so it can work with everything else. It usually needs special tools to do this right.

Term

external software

"A lot of times it requires external software that will plug into the vehicle and mate them."

External software is a program that you use on a computer to connect to the car's systems. It helps fix problems or set up new parts.

Car

Ford F150

"I have a 2011 F-150, have lost approximately four miles per gallon..."

The Ford F-150 is a big truck that many people use for work or towing. It's known for being strong and reliable.

Term

fuel economy

"...about fuel economy and my opinion's always been if a vehicle is using excessive amount of fuel..."

Fuel economy is how far a car can go on a certain amount of gas. If it goes less far than before, something might be wrong.

Term

sensors

"...there's a lot of sensors and systems in place for emissions. And if you're burning that much fuel..."

Sensors are devices in your car that check different parts to make sure everything is working properly. They help the car's computer make adjustments for better performance.

Term

emissions

"...there's a lot of sensors and systems in place for emissions. And if you're burning that much fuel..."

Emissions are the gases that cars release into the air when they burn fuel. There are rules about how much pollution cars can produce to help protect the environment.

Term

miles per gallon

"It says I'm getting 17 miles a gallon, I used to get 22 or whatever it may be."

Miles per gallon tells you how many miles a car can drive using one gallon of gas. A higher number means better fuel efficiency, which is good for saving money on gas.

Term

dry rotting

"...but we would call it like dry rotting. You know, a tire gets up over a decade and years..."

Dry rotting happens when rubber tires get old and start to crack because of the sun and weather. It can make the tires unsafe to drive on.

Car

Pontiac Vibe

"...2006 Pontiac Vibe all wheel drive, 225,000 miles on it. Dexter says I had a recent oil change"

The Pontiac Vibe is a small car that looks like a hatchback. It was made by Pontiac and is known for being useful and dependable.

Part

wheel bearing

"And they said my right front wheel bearing is noisy and recommended I replace it. I looked on YouTube and saw it as a complicated procedure."

A wheel bearing helps your car's wheels turn easily. If it makes noise, it might be broken, and ignoring it could cause bigger problems later.

Term

labor cost

"A recent quote said it would take $600 labor and three to $400 for parts."

Labor cost is what you pay a mechanic for their time when they work on your car. It can change depending on how hard the job is.

Term

parts cost

"A recent quote said it would take $600 labor and three to $400 for parts."

Parts cost is how much you pay for the actual pieces that need to be replaced in your car. This can be anything from small screws to big parts like brakes.

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