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Car Pro Radio Show December 13 25 Hour 3

Car Pro Radio Show December 13 25 Hour 3

CarPro Radio Show Dec 13, 2025 33 min
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About this episode

Jerry Reynolds and co-host Todd Chambliss discuss the best time to buy a car during the holiday season, highlighting significant dealer incentives and trade-in values. They answer listener questions about specific vehicles, including the Toyota Tacoma and Chevy Blazer, while emphasizing the importance of communication with dealerships. The episode also touches on the state of hybrid vehicles, recalls, and the electric postal van situation, providing insights into automotive trends and advice for maximizing trade-in value.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Toyota Tacoma

"...We're thinking about a Toyota Tacoma Limited. My wife doesn't..."

The Toyota Tacoma is a popular midsize truck that can handle off-road driving. The Limited version has extra features that make it more comfortable and stylish.

Concept

inventory management

"Toyota does a great job as far as replenishing inventory. So they don't want their dealers to be overloaded in inventory..."

Inventory management is how car companies keep track of how many cars they have available to sell. They want to make sure they have enough cars for customers without having too many that they can't sell.

Brand

Lexus

"Now, if I'm looking at any Toyota or any Lexus that's made, and I have the choice of hybrid or no hybrid..."

Lexus is a brand of luxury cars that is part of Toyota, offering more premium features and comfort.

Term

hybrid

"if I'm looking at any Toyota or any Lexus that's made, and I have the choice of hybrid or no hybrid..."

A hybrid car is one that uses both gas and electricity to run, which helps it save fuel and be better for the environment.

Term

fuel economy

"not only do you get better fuel economy, you get more power as well."

Fuel economy is how far a car can go on a certain amount of gas. Higher numbers mean the car uses less gas.

Term

horsepower

"not only do you get better fuel economy, you get more power as well. Toyota figured out how to bring both those things together..."

Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful a car's engine is. More horsepower usually means the car can go faster.

Term

reliability

"and give you more horses and better fuel economy and reliability. Those things are absolutely bulletproof."

Reliability means how dependable a car is. A reliable car doesn't break down often and works well for a long time.

Car

Dodge Ram

"...'m most excellent and catching you. I have a 2018 Ram 2500 with a 6.2 gasoline 4x4 almost two years ago..."

The Dodge Ram is a big truck that people often use for work or to tow things like trailers. It's known for being strong and reliable, making it a favorite for those who need a tough vehicle.

Car

Ram 2500

"...I have a 2018 Ram 2500 with a 6.2 gasoline 4x4 almost two years ago..."

The Ram 2500 is a strong pickup truck that can carry heavy loads and is great for work or towing trailers. It's a popular choice for people who need a tough vehicle.

Term

recall

"...I got a recall notice for traction control in ABS..."

A recall means the car company wants you to bring your vehicle back to fix a problem that could be dangerous or not working right. They usually fix it for free.

Term

traction control

"...I got a recall notice for traction control in ABS..."

Traction control helps your car keep its grip on the road when it's slippery, like when it's raining or snowing. It stops the wheels from spinning too much when you try to accelerate.

Term

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

"...I got a recall notice for traction control in ABS..."

ABS helps your car stop without the wheels skidding, which means you can still steer while braking hard. It's important for safety, especially on wet or icy roads.

Company

Chrysler

"...I got a letter from Chrysler. I emailed the Chrysler people on the..."

Chrysler is a car company that makes various types of vehicles, like cars and SUVs. It's part of a larger group of car companies now called Stellantis.

Term

ABS light

"...my traction control and ABS light comes on and goes off..."

The ABS light is a warning light in your car that tells you there's something wrong with the braking system. If it comes on, you should get it checked out.

Company

Stellantis

"...take it to another dealership, another Stellantis dealership. Don't tell them anything about the past..."

Stellantis is a big company that owns many car brands, including Chrysler and Jeep. They make and sell cars around the world.

Car

Nissan Kicks

"...I did a review of the 2026 Nissan Kicks, which nobody gave a damn about..."

The Nissan Kicks is a small SUV that's easy to drive and park, making it a good choice for city living. It's budget-friendly and has some nice features.

Car

Chevy Blazer 2024

"...I'm on my second Chevy Blazer. I really love it. Driving the Chevy RS Blazer 2024. My problem is I got pretty high miles because of work..."

The Chevy Blazer is a type of SUV made by Chevrolet. The 2024 version has new features and improvements that make it a good option for people looking for a stylish and functional vehicle.

Car

Chevrolet Equinox

"so I'm thinking about going down to an Equinox. I really like what they did with it."

The Chevrolet Equinox is a smaller SUV that is known for being easy to drive and having good gas mileage. It's a popular choice for families and commuters.

Term

turbo engine

"Obviously, the engine size is one thing, which I drive a lot on the highway, so I feel like that turbo engine will get me what I need."

A turbo engine is a type of engine that uses a special device to make it more powerful. This means it can go faster and use less fuel than a regular engine of the same size.

Term

cargo space

"And unless cargo space is a restriction for you, I think you probably should have traded down to the Equinox last time."

Cargo space is the room inside a car or SUV where you can put your things, like bags or sports equipment. It's important to think about how much space you need when choosing a vehicle.

Company

Hagerty Insurance

"Hagerty Insurance. Okay. They're great. They do classic car insurance. Oh, okay. I didn't know the connections."

Hagerty Insurance is a company that provides insurance specifically for classic cars. They help people protect their vintage vehicles and also share information about which classic cars might become more valuable over time.

Term

trade-in

"Getting your car ready to trade in. Important stuff to know. A lot of that going on right now. If you want to maximize what you get for your trade in, I'll tell you how to do that."

A trade-in is when you give your old car to a dealership to help pay for a new car. Knowing how to get the best value for your trade-in can save you money when buying a new vehicle.

Car

Chevrolet Corvair

"I was actually gifted by one of my customers. 1961 Corvair truck. Oh, wow. Yeah. It's pretty cool."

The Chevrolet Corvair is a car that was made by Chevrolet in the early 1960s. It had a different design compared to most cars because its engine was in the back instead of the front.

Term

restoration

"The only problem is, is that it's been sitting in the garage for 25 years. Yep. So needs a little work."

Restoration means fixing up an old car to make it look and work like new again. This can include repairing parts and cleaning the car.

Part

gas tank

"...the gas tank needs to be dropped and cleaned. Yep. And all the, all the, all the lines, all the gas lines need to be replaced..."

The gas tank is where the car's fuel is stored. Sometimes, it needs to be cleaned or changed, especially if the car has been sitting for a long time.

Part

battery

"...after they do it, odds are replace the battery, hit the starter and it'll probably crank right up..."

The battery gives power to start the car and run its electrical parts. When fixing up an old car, you usually need to put in a new battery to make sure it starts properly.

Part

transmission

"I just had to replace the transmission..."

The transmission helps the car move by changing gears. If it breaks, the car can't drive properly.

Car

Ford Transit

"...Excellent. One other quick question. I got a 2020 Ford Transit 112,000 miles on it. I just had to replace the tr..."

The Ford Transit Custom is a large van that people often use for work, like carrying tools or supplies. It's designed to be practical and can hold a lot of stuff, making it a good choice for businesses.

Term

longevity

"...still the transits, the best van out there for longevity as long as you don't overload them."

Longevity means how long something lasts. In cars, it refers to how many years or miles they can run before needing major repairs.

Car

Toyota Rav4

"..., long time. I would have told you only look at a RAV4 hybrid because they've been around 25 years and t..."

The Toyota RAV4 is a type of car called an SUV, which is bigger than a regular car and great for families. It's known for being reliable and good on gas, especially the hybrid version, making it a popular choice for many drivers.

Term

powertrain

"...the hybrid battery is still good. The powertrain is still good..."

The powertrain is the part of a car that makes it move. It includes the engine and other parts that help the car drive, especially in hybrid cars where it also includes the electric motor.

Car

Audi S5

"...licked items this week is your review of the Audi S5 Edition 1 Prestige 2025. I love that car. A beaut..."

The Audi S5 is a fancy sports car that's designed to be fast and fun to drive. It looks really nice inside and out, and it's a great choice if you want a car that feels luxurious while still being sporty.

Car

Toyota Prius

"...was great. Yeah, looks nice. We also had the 2026 Prius Nightshade that Amy did. And I did a review of th..."

The Toyota Prius is a special kind of car called a hybrid, which means it uses both gas and electricity to run. It's known for being very good on gas, so you won't have to fill up as often, and it's a great choice if you want to be more environmentally friendly.

Car

Chevrolet Trackers

"...n RV boat and live out in the country. So hauling trackers and skid steers and stuff like that. As an everyd..."

The Chevrolet Tracker is a smaller SUV that’s easy to drive and park, making it great for city life. It has enough space for passengers and cargo, so it’s good for everyday use and light adventures.

Car

Toyota RZ

"And I also saw that they have an electric, the RZ. Yeah, it's a car. It's great. It's SUV."

The Toyota RZ is a new electric SUV from Toyota. It's designed for people who want to drive an electric car while still having the space and features of an SUV.

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