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Car Pro Radio Show March 28 26 Hour 2

Car Pro Radio Show March 28 26 Hour 2

CarPro Radio Show Mar 28, 2026 34 min
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About this episode

Truck-month incentives are winding down, and the hosts explain why end-of-quarter deals (plus automaker fiscal-year pushes from Japanese brands) are usually best before early April slows down sales. Listener calls cover buying and ownership: a new 2026 Hyundai Elantra owner is advised to stick with smart mode for fuel economy; others weigh whether to trade in based on warranty and mileage. The used-car market stays surprisingly strong, with some EV values rising at auction. There’s also debate over government EV spending and the future of 3-liter diesels, plus dealership success stories.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Part

Tires

"Tires matter. They're the only part of your vehicle that touches the road."

Tires are the part of the car that actually touches the road. If they’re worn or the wrong type, the car won’t grip or stop as well.

Company

Tyraq

"Tread confidently with new tires from Tyraq. Whether you're looking for expert recommendations or know exactly what you want, Tyraq makes it easy."

Tyraq is a company that sells tires and tries to make it easier to pick the right ones. They also mention reviews and test results to help you decide.

Term

tread

"Tread confidently with new tires from Tyraq. Whether you're looking for expert recommendations"

Tread is the pattern on the outside of the tire. Good tread helps the tire grip and helps push water out so you don’t slip as easily.

Concept

Japanese automakers are ending their fiscal year, March 31st

"...the Japanese automakers are ending their fiscal year, March 31st as well. So they put the big push on."

Some Japanese brands have their financial year end on March 31st. When that deadline is coming, they often try harder to sell cars, which can mean better deals.

Brand

Mazda

"...that's great news for Toyota, Honda and Mazda buyers and a few others. But those are the big ones."

Mazda is one of the brands that may offer stronger incentives near the end of its fiscal year. That’s why the host says March can be a good time to buy.

Brand

Toyota

"...that's great news for Toyota, Honda and Mazda buyers and a few others. But those are the big ones."

Toyota is one of the brands the host expects to have stronger sales pushes around the fiscal year end. That can translate into better incentives for shoppers.

Brand

Honda

"...that's great news for Toyota, Honda and Mazda buyers and a few others. But those are the big ones."

Honda is included in the group of Japanese brands that push sales near their March 31st deadline. Buyers may see better deals around that time.

Car

Hyundai Elantra

"Okay, so I just bought a 2026 Hyundai Elantra. Yeah. And I was just kind of wanting to see what you thought about that car."

The Hyundai Elantra is a compact car. This caller just bought a 2026, and they’re asking what it’s like compared with earlier Hyundai models.

Brand

Kia

"about 2013. That's when they really started putting some emphasis on, and the same is true with Kia, by the way. That's when they started really putting some emphasis on quality."

Kia is a major automaker that, in this discussion, is used as an example of improving quality and backing it with longer warranties. The segment ties Kia’s warranty strategy to confidence in product quality.

Concept

10-year 100,000 mile warranty

"they came out with the 10-year 100,000 mile warranty. And that's because they knew they were building great products. I've said a million times, the 10-year 100,000 mile warranty is a nice thing to have."

A warranty is the promise that the company will pay for certain repairs if something breaks. “10-year/100,000 miles” means it lasts a long time and a lot of driving, but coverage can change as the years go on.

Concept

drive modes

"because it has different drive modes. And I travel a lot. And I was told to drive in smart mode, because then it'll kind of kick it into sport mode when it needs to be."

Drive modes are selectable settings (like Smart, Eco, Sport) that change how the car behaves. As described, they can affect transmission shift behavior, steering feel, and throttle response.

Term

Eco mode

"yeah, I think smart mode. Do you have an eco mode in there with that also? I can't remember. I don't think so."

Eco mode is a setting that helps your car use less fuel. It usually makes acceleration gentler and changes how the car shifts.

Car

2020 Jeep Cherokee

"And this is my vehicle with those. I have a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. So this is the first vehicle I had that had the different modes in it."

They’re talking about their 2020 Jeep Cherokee. It’s their first car with different driving modes, so they’re learning which one to use for everyday driving and fuel savings.

Concept

maximize your fuel economy

"if you don't have a really heavy foot, then I just leave it in smart mode. It's going to, that mode is there to maximize your fuel economy. And that's what it's for."

They’re saying the Smart mode is meant to help you save gas. If you drive calmly, that mode will keep the car in its most efficient behavior.

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...for people listening, yet some cars, it is. This Range Rover that I'm reviewing this week, the difference betw..."

The Range Rover is a large luxury SUV made by Land Rover. It’s designed to feel comfortable like a premium car, but it can also handle rough roads. The podcast is talking about it because the host is reviewing one.

Concept

auctions

"You don't have time to go and look at all these different places and the auctions and everything."

Auto auctions are marketplaces where dealers and buyers purchase vehicles, often in bulk. Auction activity and pricing trends can strongly affect wholesale used-car values, which then flow into retail pricing.

Concept

seasonal

"We've seen some small dips down in used car prices. And I think they're more seasonal than anything."

Seasonal pricing refers to predictable changes in vehicle values that occur at certain times of year. The host says small dips in used-car prices are more seasonal than structural, meaning they may reverse as the year progresses.

Concept

trade-ins

"The dealers have got a ton of trade-ins from December. New car business where they've taken in a lot of trade-ins."

A trade-in is when you give your current car to the dealer and it counts toward your next purchase. More trade-ins can mean more used cars available, which can push prices down.

Car

Honda Hrv

"... what can I do for you? Thank you. I have a 2024 HRV and it's about 58,000 miles on it, which is kind ..."

The HR-V is a small SUV from Honda. It’s made to be easy to drive and park while still giving you extra space compared to a sedan. The podcast mentions a 2024 HR-V with around 58,000 miles as the vehicle being discussed.

Term

58,000 miles

"Thank you. I have a 2024 HRV and it's about 58,000 miles on it, which is kind of high. And I'm considering getting your idea of doing a trade at this point so I can get what values there out of it."

Miles matter because they affect both the car’s resale value and whether warranty coverage is still active. Higher mileage can mean more wear, and it can also bring you closer to warranty mileage limits.

Concept

extended warranty

"Okay, did you get an extended warranty on the HRV? Yes, I did. Okay, how much time do you have left on that?"

An extended warranty is coverage beyond the factory warranty period, typically protecting certain repairs for a set time and/or mileage. It’s important to confirm both the duration and the mileage limit so you know whether you’ll still be covered when problems arise.

Term

six years, 100,000 miles

"Well, I think it was for six years. Maybe it's 100,000 miles. Probably. It's probably six years, 100,000. If your mileage is going to suddenly slow down, then I think I would probably keep it."

Warranties often have two limits: how many years you have and how many miles you can drive. If you drive less than expected, you may stay covered longer.

Car

Toyota Tacoma

"...with just 70,000 miles. And I was looking at the Tacoma and of course the 150. I've been very happy with ..."

The Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck from Toyota. People like it because it’s built for regular driving and can also handle work or hauling. The podcast mentions it because the host was considering one with about 70,000 miles and was happy with it.

Concept

daily driver

"Is this, is your truck just a daily driver? I mean, you're not towing or hauling anything heavy?"

A daily driver is the vehicle you use most often for everyday trips, where comfort, fuel economy, and ride quality matter more than maximum capability. The caller is clarifying whether they need a truck primarily for commuting or for towing/hauling.

Term

4x4

"I've got that towing rear end. It's a 4x4 and basically, I really don't haul that much. But if I have to, I have, I have everything."

4x4 means power goes to all four wheels. It helps when roads are slippery or when you’re off-road, but if you don’t use it much, it may not be necessary.

Concept

ride quality

"I've seen him hit a million miles, but the ride quality is not an F-150. And that's why I wanted to see if you had a strong reaction to the ride of the F-150."

Ride quality is how smooth the truck feels when the road isn’t perfect. Some trucks are set up to handle rough terrain, and that can make them feel bumpier on regular roads.

Concept

trash pile up inside your vehicle

"...making it illegal to let trash pile up inside your vehicle. Now you may say, well, it's inside your vehicle that your business..."

Leaving garbage in your car can attract pests like rats. Some cities try to prevent that because it can spread problems beyond just your car.

Concept

third row seat

"Do we need a third row seat this time? No. No. Okay. Good. That kind of opens up a lot of more possibilities."

Some SUVs have a back row of seats for extra passengers. If you don’t need that extra row, you usually get more space for luggage and more room for the people in front.

Car

Honda Passport

"I have loved the new Honda Passport. It is awesome."

The Honda Passport is a family-sized SUV. The speaker really likes it, likely because it fits the kind of space and usability they’re looking for.

Brand

Tesla

"I'm going to suggest a Tesla and their full self driving system. That would be a great idea. It would. Actually for him, it would be really good."

Tesla is a company that makes electric cars. They also sell software that can help the car drive more by itself, depending on the system and conditions.

Brand

EPA

"Unfortunately, they played games that the EPA didn't like. And those are no longer available."

The EPA is the U.S. agency that sets rules for car pollution. If a car doesn’t meet those rules, it can be taken off sale or forced to be fixed.

Term

trim packages

"Spent time on the test drive with several different trim packages of the Traverse before leaving for the day to talk about the options a week later."

A trim package is like a “version” of the same car with different features. Higher trims usually add more comfort and technology, while lower trims focus on value.

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