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Broken Car? We Can Help with Free Car Advice Give US A Call On The Air

Broken Car? We Can Help with Free Car Advice Give US A Call On The Air

Under The Hood show Oct 26, 2025 47 min
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About this episode

Listeners are treated to a lively discussion filled with automotive advice and personal stories. The hosts celebrate Shannon's recent appointment as president of a major trade association and share insights from their trip to an automotive convention in Alabama. Callers seek help with various car issues, including a soft brake pedal on a Toyota Camry, EVAP problems in a Dodge Grand Caravan, and a mystery vibration in a GMC Denali. The episode highlights the hosts' expertise and camaraderie while providing practical solutions to listener dilemmas.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Toyota Camry

"I have an 03 Camry. It's a rear brake question. That year Camry"

The Toyota Camry is a well-known car that many people drive. The 2003 version is part of a series that was made for several years and is known for being dependable and comfortable.

Part

brake booster

"About 75,000 miles ago I replaced the brake booster and I put a used master cylinder..."

A brake booster helps you press the brake pedal more easily. If it doesn't work well, it can make stopping the car harder.

Part

master cylinder

"...I replaced the brake booster and I put a used master cylinder on there from Cortex Parts..."

The master cylinder is a part that helps make the brakes work when you press the pedal. If it's not working right, your brakes might not work well.

Term

soft pedal

"...the only problem that I'm having really is the soft pedal which it's always been like that..."

A soft pedal means the brake pedal doesn't feel strong when you press it. This can make it harder to stop the car quickly.

Car

Toyota Corolla

"I also have a 2013 Corolla and when I get in there and drive it, the pedal is so much different. Two different cars. Two different systems."

The Toyota Corolla is a small car that many people use to get around. The 2013 version is known for being reliable and good on gas.

Term

brake pedal

"what he would be analyzing. Well, if the brake pedal has been soft since you've owned this car, since it was new and it was where it was supposed to be..."

The brake pedal is what you push to slow down or stop your car. If it feels soft or spongy, it might mean there's a problem with the brakes.

Term

fuel pressure

"my customer telling me, well, I've got fuel pressure. There's fuel coming out, but I check it with a gauge and I've got three pounds."

Fuel pressure is how hard the fuel is pushed through the engine. If it's too low, your car might not run well or start properly.

Part

ABS pump

"...then you go back to the ABS pump and find out why fluid's not going through it or why you've got a bent brake line somewhere..."

The ABS pump helps your car stop safely by making sure the wheels don't stop turning when you brake hard. This helps you keep control of the car while stopping.

Car

Dodge Grand

"...I have a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan. I have an EVAP problem that I had a smoke test done,..."

The Dodge Grand Caravan is a family minivan that has lots of space for passengers and cargo. It's designed to be practical and comfortable for everyday use.

Term

EVAP problem

"...I have an EVAP problem that I had a smoke test done,..."

An EVAP problem happens when the system that keeps fuel vapors from leaking into the air isn't working right. This can cause warning lights and other issues with the car's performance.

Term

smoke test

"...I had a smoke test done,..."

A smoke test is a way to find leaks in a car's system by blowing smoke into it and seeing where the smoke comes out. It's a useful tool for finding problems.

Term

purge valves

"...the integrity valves, two or three put in, the purge valves,..."

Purge valves help manage the fuel vapors in the car, making sure they go to the engine when needed. If they don't work, it can cause problems with how the car runs.

Car

2010 Caravan

"Well, on a 2010 caravan, I'm just trying to remember that system."

The 2010 Caravan is a minivan made by Chrysler. It's designed to be roomy and comfortable for families, making it a popular choice for those needing extra space.

Part

charcoal fuel vapor canister

"If it has a remote charcoal fuel vapor canister, I think it does."

The charcoal fuel vapor canister is a part of the car that helps keep fuel vapors from escaping into the air. It stores these vapors until they can be burned in the engine.

Part

leak detection pump

"they call a leak detection pump or a fuel integrity valve."

The leak detection pump is a small part that helps check for leaks in the fuel system. It makes sure that no fuel vapors are escaping into the environment.

Part

charcoal canister

"Where would that canister be? I replaced that whole charcoal system. Oh, you did push the you call okay. That's the same thing. You already replaced that."

The charcoal canister helps trap gas fumes from the fuel tank so they don't escape into the air. It's important for keeping the environment clean and ensuring your car runs well.

Term

solenoids

"...checking the solenoids, making sure they're coming on. When you turn them on, you have flow. When you turn them off, there's no flow..."

A solenoid is a small device that helps control the flow of liquids or gases in a car. It works like a switch that opens or closes to let things flow through.

Term

check engine light

"...the problem is it covers up other codes sometimes. If your check engine lights on and..."

The check engine light is a warning light on your car's dashboard. It tells you that something might be wrong with the engine or other important parts of the car.

Part

fuel sending unit

"...Is there any sensors on the top other than the fuel pump? I don't believe so. Has it had a fuel sending unit put in it in the last..."

The fuel sending unit tells you how much gas is left in your tank. If it’s not working, your gas gauge might not show the right amount of fuel.

Term

emissions

"...In the past two years now, I can't get it through emissions. And how I get it through emissions is I take the code off..."

Emissions are the harmful gases that cars release into the air. Cars must pass tests to make sure they don’t pollute too much.

Car

GMC Acadia Denali

"...I got a mystery vibration question. It's a 2015 GMC Acadia Denali. Fairly high miles, 185,000 miles..."

The GMC Acadia Denali is a fancy version of a family SUV that has more luxury features. It's designed to be comfortable and stylish for passengers.

Term

cold tires

"...my first thought was cold tires sits outside, you know, you have a flat spot on a lot of the tires until they warm up and flex a little bit. And that would jive with the direct..."

Cold tires are tires that haven't warmed up yet. When it's cold outside, tires can feel hard and not grip the road well until they heat up from driving.

Term

flat spot

"...you have a flat spot on a lot of the tires until they warm up and flex a little bit. And that would jive with the direct proportional..."

A flat spot on a tire happens when the tire gets squished while the car is parked for a long time. It can make the car shake when you start driving until the tire warms up and gets back to normal.

Term

transmission

"...it could also be something else going on with inside the torque, inside the transfer case. It could be something inside the transmission..."

The transmission is what helps your car move by sending power from the engine to the wheels. It can change gears automatically or manually, depending on the type of car you have.

Term

transfer case

"...it could also be something else going on with inside the torque, inside the transfer case. It could be something inside the transmission..."

The transfer case helps control how power is sent to the wheels in vehicles that can drive all four wheels. It lets you switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive, which is useful for different driving conditions.

Part

light truck tires

"I kind of cheaped out, and I went with, I did it by light truck tires. I went to Walmart..."

Light truck tires are special tires made for trucks and SUVs. They are built to handle more weight and rougher conditions than regular car tires.

Term

all-wheel drive

"...doing that in this all wheel drive denial. On that one there, you can't even turn off the four-wheel drive system..."

All-wheel drive means that power goes to all four wheels of the car at the same time. This helps the car grip the road better, especially in rain or snow.

Company

General Motors

"...the biggest news that has been hitting a lot of the news networks is the fact that one of the big domestics, General Motors..."

General Motors is a big car company that makes many different brands of cars, like Chevrolet and Cadillac. They are important in the car industry and often have news about their business and new cars.

Company

Berkeley Classics

"...Berkeley Classics ensures a wide range of vehicles from sports cars and rare exotic cars to antique vehicles, including cars, trucks, tractors, military vehicles, and antique motorcycles..."

Berkeley Classics is a company that provides insurance for classic and rare cars. They help owners protect their valuable vehicles by agreeing on how much the car is worth before any accidents happen.

Company

car-part.com

"...If you need parts, whether it be for a brand new car or going back about 20 years, it doesn't matter, check out car-part.com..."

Car-part.com is a website where you can find car parts. Whether you need a part for a new car or an older model, this site helps you search quickly and easily.

Company

Road Ready Wheels

"We want to tell you about our partner at Road Ready Wheels. Road Ready Wheels has the very best aftermarket OEM replica wheels available..."

Road Ready Wheels makes replacement wheels that look like the original ones from the factory. They fit your car easily and work with the parts you already have, like the sensors that monitor tire pressure.

Part

aluminum alloy wheels

"...Road Ready Wheels has both aluminum alloy and new steel wheels to fit many cars on the road today."

Aluminum alloy wheels are a type of car wheel made from a mix of aluminum and other metals. They are lighter than steel wheels and can look nicer on your car.

Part

steel wheels

"...Road Ready Wheels has both aluminum alloy and new steel wheels to fit many cars on the road today."

Steel wheels are a type of car wheel made from steel. They are usually heavier and very strong, making them a good choice for certain types of cars, especially in winter conditions.

Car

Pontiac GTO

"...very. It was a good story. A very unique one off GTO when you get right down to it. Possibly less than..."

The Pontiac GTO is a classic American car that became famous for being very fast and powerful. It's one of the first cars that made people really excited about muscle cars.

Car

Toyota Supra

"...any things. He was involved in the launch of the Supra the second time on the marketing team. Lots of pr..."

The Toyota Supra is a fast and stylish car that many people love for its speed and looks. It's been popular for a long time, especially among car enthusiasts and in movies, making it a cool car to talk about.

Car

Acura Nsx

"...ni NSX, because it came out the same year as the Acura NSX, that generation. And it was really the guy that ..."

The Acura NSX is a really fast sports car that was made to compete with some of the best cars in the world. It's special because it combines great performance with the ability to be driven comfortably every day.

Car

Toyota Land Cruiser

"... Japanese imported fire truck. It was a Was it a Land Cruiser pickup? No, it was an FJ. It was an FJ. Yeah. And..."

The Toyota Land Cruiser is a big, tough SUV that can handle rough roads and off-road adventures really well. People like it because it's built to last and can go almost anywhere.

Car

Jeep Cherokee

"... you? Boy, I'll tell you what, I got a 2001 Jeep Cherokee that a fellow was driving down the road, hit a bu..."

The Jeep Cherokee is a smaller SUV that can go off-road and handle tough conditions. It's popular because it's good for both adventures and everyday driving.

Car

Buick Le Sabre

"...g on, guys? What can we do for you? I have an 85 Buick Le Sabre Collector's Edition, if that makes a difference. ..."

The Buick LeSabre is a big, comfortable car that many people liked for its smooth ride. It was made for a long time and is often seen as a good choice for those who want a reliable vehicle.

Car

Lucid Air

"... it, whatever. Sometimes you could kick a little air in that hole with a blowgun, just a couple pounds..."

The Lucid Air is a fancy electric car that can go really far on a single charge. It's new and designed to be a high-end option for people who want an electric vehicle.

Car

Chevrolet Spin

"... you were taking off the fuel line, the nut would spin on the filter, so you had to have a wrench. I re..."

The Chevrolet Spin is a small family car that has a lot of space inside for people and cargo. It's made to be practical and useful for everyday driving.

Car

Buick Grand National

"...at the heck is that? And my wife said, is that a Grand National? No. And as it got closer. Was it a GNX? It was o..."
Car

Buick GNX

"...rand National? No. And as it got closer. Was it a GNX? It was only, yes, and it was only about maybe f..."

The Buick GNX is a special, fast version of the Buick Regal that was made in the 1980s. It's loved by car collectors because it's powerful and has a unique look.

Car

Buick Regal

"...ut the panels were what you would see like an 85 Regal. Yes. Just beat, but the guy had it all original...."

The Buick Regal is a comfortable car that people like for its smooth driving experience. It's been around for a long time and is often seen as a good choice for families.

15 cars featured

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