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Car Pro Radio Show July 11 26 Hour 1

Car Pro Radio Show July 11 26 Hour 1

CarPro Radio Show Jul 11, 2026 34 min
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About this episode

Jerry Reynolds and Todd Chambliss kick off with “straight talk” car buying help, plus a recap of their huge 250th birthday patriotic broadcast in Washington, including singing at the Kennedy Center. They read listener takes on what other drivers do that drives them crazy—top gripes include not signaling. The show also dives into hot topics: criticism of car advice from Dave Ramsey, calls for GM CEO Mary Barra to step aside, and debates over right-to-repair and manufacturers withholding repair data. A key segment covers a listener’s 2013 Cadillac CTS deal and whether it’s worth buying, plus advice on waiting for a Lexus RX 350h model year change.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Buick Roadmaster

"...oice was Todd Chambers. He is we call him the old roadmaster around here. Yeah, it's the old kind of sickly ro..."

The Buick Roadmaster is a large, older-style car model from Buick. In the podcast, it sounds like the name is being used as a nickname, not necessarily to talk about a specific new car. The point is that the Roadmaster name is well known and memorable.

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Car

Cadillac Cts

"...ed in getting a new car and I'm looking at a 2013 Cadillac CTS premium. Yeah. And they're asking for 11600 dolla..."

The Cadillac CTS is a mid-size luxury car, similar to a sedan, made by Cadillac. The podcast mentions a 2013 CTS Premium because someone is considering buying one and comparing the price. It’s being talked about as a used-car option.

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Term

auto heat shield

"And this auto heat shield autoheat shield dot com is the website and you can put in car pro, all one word, all capital letters that check out."

An auto heat shield is a cover you put over your windshield to keep the sun from heating up the inside of your car. It helps the cabin stay cooler when you’re parked.

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Term

custom cut

"But this thing is custom cut to your car. That's the difference between them and all the other generic shades out there."

“Custom cut” means the windshield cover is made to match your car’s glass shape. A better fit usually blocks more sun because there are fewer gaps.

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Term

windshield

"It blacks out the entire windshield. It will actually drop the interior, interior temperature of your car."

The windshield is the big front window of the car. Here, it’s important because the heat shield covers it to keep the inside cooler.

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Concept

right to repair memo

"Yeah, the president's right to repair memo and what that means."

“Right to repair” is the idea that car owners should be able to get their cars fixed without being forced to go only to the dealership. It usually means getting the same repair information and access that mechanics need.

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Concept

ongoing debate

"This has been an ongoing debate for many, many years with people who want the auto manufacturers to share data with them on how to fix their own car."

This is the long argument about who should be allowed to access the information needed to repair cars. Car makers say it’s protected, while independent shops say they need it to fix cars properly.

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Concept

share data

"with people who want the auto manufacturers to share data with them on how to fix their own car."

In this context, “share data” means providing repair-relevant information such as diagnostic trouble codes, service procedures, and technical documentation. It’s the core issue in right-to-repair fights because modern cars rely on software and electronic systems to diagnose and fix faults.

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Concept

proprietary

"They say it's proprietary."

“Proprietary” means the company says the information is protected and they don’t want others to have it. In car repair, that can mean limiting access to diagnostic and repair details.

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Brand

iPhone

"Yeah, you bought an iPhone, but they're not going to tell you how to fix it because they don't want you to fix it."

They’re comparing cars to an iPhone: you can own the device, but the company may not make it easy to repair yourself. The analogy is about control over repair access.

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Brand

John Deere tractor

"John Deere tractor has been in the same fight for many years. And they're just about to settle a lawsuit over that."

They mention John Deere tractors to show this kind of repair-access fight happens in other industries too. It’s about whether owners and independent mechanics can get the information needed to fix the equipment.

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Term

turn signal

"What drives me crazy is drivers not signaling to take a turn. [738.0s] Yeah, I'm with you."

A turn signal is the light on your car that shows you’re turning or changing lanes. It’s important because it tells other drivers what you’re about to do.

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Term

blinker

"It doesn't cost you anything to to use your blinker. [747.1s] Why don't you?"

A “blinker” is your turn signal—the lights that tell other drivers which way you plan to go. Using it helps prevent confusion and reduces the chance of a crash.

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Car

Lexus RX 350H

"I'm in the market for a Lexus RX 350H. [755.5s] Yeah. I looked at the 2026's."

The Lexus RX 350h is a luxury SUV that runs on a mix of gasoline and electric power. That hybrid setup is mainly there to help you get better gas mileage in normal driving.

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Concept

model-year changes

"But researching and on YouTube and online [765.7s] for the 2027, they've making some changes. [769.3s] Do you think it's worth waiting?"

Car makers often update cars a little each year. Those updates can be small (new features) or bigger (changes under the hood), so people debate whether it’s better to buy the current year or wait for the next one.

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Term

hybrid

"You're smart to get the hybrid. That's what I would do if I were getting any kind of Toyota or Lexus, I'd get the hybrid not only for the field economy, but for the extra horsepower that you pick up as well."

A hybrid car uses gas and electricity together. That can help it get better gas mileage and feel a bit stronger when you accelerate.

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Term

front and rear fascia

"And I did find out that the front and rear fascia is going to be changed. And it's the next generation drivetrain that they just came out with the Rev four."

Fascia is basically the car’s front and rear “outer front/rear styling” pieces, like the bumper area and the panels around the lights. A change to it usually means the car looks different and may be updated for airflow or new lighting.

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Term

Rev four

"And it's the next generation drivetrain that they just came out with the Rev four. Then OK, then then I would tell you about the 2026."

They’re talking about a newer version of the car’s power system that sends power to the wheels. “Next generation drivetrain” usually means improvements in how the car runs and uses fuel.

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Term

powertrain

"If you're going to keep this thing a very long time, we know what we've got today. It's a great powertrain. I wouldn't risk a new one right now."

Powertrain is the main mechanical system that moves the car. It includes the engine and the parts that send power to the wheels.

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Term

lease to buy

"My repair of my person that I use at my Lexus dealership suggested I go with the lease to buy would be less money. But I do a lot of driving."

“Lease to buy” means you start by paying to use the car for a while, and then you may be able to turn that into actually owning it. They’re saying it might be cheaper than buying outright in their situation.

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Term

sciatic issue

"I have a sciatic issue in those seats. I don't know. They're not the most comfortable, but I think I don't know what to do."

They’re dealing with a sciatic nerve problem, which can cause pain or discomfort in the lower body. They’re saying the seat comfort matters a lot for them because of that.

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Car

Lexus RX hybrid

"because a new a new Lexus RX hybrid is going to run you close to seventy thousand dollars today. So for those reasons, I think I would look at a certified pre-owned RX hybrid."

They’re referring to a Lexus RX hybrid, which is a Lexus crossover that uses both gas and electricity. They mention it because buying a newer one is expensive compared to what the speaker already has.

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Car

Subaru Outback Wilderness

"The Subaru Outback Wilderness I've had this week was a pearl white shade."

The Subaru Outback Wilderness is a special version of the Outback that’s meant to handle rougher roads better than the standard model. It’s the “more rugged” trim you’d pick if you want an outdoorsy vibe.

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Term

freeway

"I'm on the freeway here in northeast Ohio when the snow flies and you're on the freeway."

A freeway is a high-speed, limited-access road where cars typically travel faster and with less room for sudden changes. That matters in snow because drivers have less time to react to unexpected visual cues like hazard lights.

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Term

roadside emergency flashers

"But they have the need to turn on their roadside emergency flashers."

“Roadside emergency flashers” means your hazard lights—the ones that blink to warn other drivers. In snow or rain, turning them on at the wrong time can distract people and make driving more confusing.

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Car

Ford Explorer

"I'm looking looking for SUV with some horsepower. Explorer trimmer or Sequoia S or five."

The Ford Explorer is an SUV with different versions (trims). The caller is basically saying they want one with enough power.

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Term

sunroof

"I don't want a panoramic roof or a sunroof man roof. Any of that extra for what I don't want."

A sunroof is a glass panel in the roof that can open for extra light and fresh air. The caller here is saying they don’t want that kind of roof feature.

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Car

Cadillac Escalade IQ

"I just reviewed last week and it was in yesterday's newsletter, the Cadillac Escalade IQ. All electric, massive Cadillac. It's got a big panoramic moon roof in in the top, except it's fixed."

The Cadillac Escalade IQ is a big Cadillac SUV that runs on electricity. In this segment, they’re talking about its large glass roof and how it can make the cabin feel much hotter in extreme heat.

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Term

panoramic moon roof

"It's got a big panoramic moon roof in in the top, except it's fixed. It's fixed glass."

A panoramic moon roof is a big glass section in the roof that lets in more light. If it doesn’t open, it can still act like a heat collector when the sun is strong.

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Term

fixed glass

"It's got a big panoramic moon roof in in the top, except it's fixed. It's fixed glass."

Fixed glass is a glass roof piece that doesn’t move. Since it can’t open to let heat out, it can make the inside of the car hotter in summer.

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Term

sliding cover

"So even as long as it's got a sliding cover where I can cover up the glass, I'm OK with the moon roof."

A sliding cover is the shade that you pull over a glass roof panel. The host is saying that if you can cover the glass when you want, it makes the moon roof less annoying.

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Car

Nissan Armada

"Look at my if you're on something that's big and fast, go to car pro dot com and put Armada up in the search box. I want you to look at the Armada that I reviewed."

The Nissan Armada is a big family SUV from Nissan. It’s designed to be comfortable and capable, and the host is saying the one he reviewed was quick and looks great, and it costs less than a Toyota Sequoia.

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Car

Toyota Sequoia

"I mean, just beautiful and it will run you less money than a sequoia"

The Toyota Sequoia is a large Toyota SUV. In this clip, it’s mentioned mainly as a benchmark for cost, with the host implying the Armada is cheaper.

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Car

Ford Expedition

"...d it will run you less money than a sequoia or an expedition trimmer. So you might and I've reviewed both thos..."

The Ford Expedition is a large SUV meant for carrying people and gear, especially on road trips. It’s the kind of vehicle people compare when they’re trying to find a big, practical SUV for less money. The podcast likely mentioned it because of its overall cost and what it offers.

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