0:00 / 0:00
Changing Aging Tires, Antifreeze Answers, Jumpstarting Tips

Changing Aging Tires, Antifreeze Answers, Jumpstarting Tips

WCCO's Car Care Jan 17, 2026 28 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

Tire aging, antifreeze types, and jumpstarting techniques take center stage in this informative episode. ASC Certified Technician Nick Stoffel tackles listener questions, including whether 12-year-old tires need replacing, the importance of using the correct antifreeze, and the effectiveness of portable jump starters. He also shares insights on diagnosing airbag sensor issues and the impact of winter on fuel economy. With practical advice and expert tips, this episode is a treasure trove for anyone looking to enhance their car care knowledge.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

dry rotting

"They do that. The rubber compound will slowly deteriorate, kind of dry out. Our biggest concern is that that dry rotting, the cracking between the tread and the inner parts of the tire there."

Dry rotting is when rubber tires start to break down and crack because they've been exposed to sunlight and air for a long time. This can make the tires unsafe to drive on.

Car

Nissan XTerra

"A text that says it's a 2011 Nissan XTERRA."

The Nissan Xterra is a type of SUV made by Nissan. It's designed for off-road driving and has a tough look.

Part

airbag sensor

"They determined it to be the driver's side airbag sensor located under the carpet near the seat."

An airbag sensor helps the car know when to inflate the airbag in an accident. If it doesn't work, the airbag might not deploy.

Part

corroded bolt

"The dealer says the sensor is attached with a bolt, which has become corroded."

A corroded bolt is a metal piece that has rusted and become weak. This can make it hard to take out when fixing something.

Car

Lexus 350E

"...this, excuse me, Texter says 2005 Lexus 350E,..."

The Lexus 350E is a luxury car made by Lexus in 2005. It's designed for comfort and has many high-end features that make driving enjoyable.

Car

Ford F150

"I've got a 95.5 ton F-150."

The Ford F-150 is a large truck that can be used for many purposes, like carrying heavy loads or towing. The 1995 version is one of the older models in a long line of F-150 trucks.

Part

e-brake

"I need a e-brake rebuilt from the crankhead all the way back. I think I need a cable. I need it rebuilt."

The e-brake, also known as the parking brake, is what you use to keep your car from rolling when it's parked. It works differently than the regular brakes you use while driving.

Part

cable

"I think I need a cable. I need it rebuilt."

The cable is a part that connects the parking brake to the brakes on the wheels. It helps pull on the brakes when you pull the lever to park the car.

Term

parking brake

"So he's talking about the parking brake."

The parking brake is what you pull to keep your car from rolling away when it's parked. It's an extra brake that helps secure the car in place.

Term

emergency brake

"or the emergency brake as we call it. A vintage vehicle, 1995."

The emergency brake is a special brake that helps keep your car from rolling away when parked. You pull a lever or push a pedal to use it, and it works separately from the regular brakes.

Term

rust

"I think the fear is the moment of rust. Now I'm sure we can source those cables."

Rust is what happens when metal gets wet and starts to break down. It's a common problem in older cars, especially if they haven't been taken care of properly.

Term

brake shoes

"back to each wheel where there's a lever and the brake shoes that push out and engage"

Brake shoes are parts inside the brakes of a car that help stop the wheels from turning. When you press the brake pedal, they push out against a drum to slow the car down.

Term

antifreeze

"Texas says does the color of antifreeze you use matter or is universal fine?"

Antifreeze is a liquid that helps keep your car's engine cool and prevents it from freezing in cold weather. The color of the antifreeze can be important because it can tell you what type it is and if it's safe to use in your car.

Car

Hyundai Elantra

"...Texture says I have a 2013 Elantra. When the roads are wet or snow and ice covered, the rear end seems to drift left and right."

The Hyundai Elantra is a small car that is good on gas and has a nice interior. The 2013 version is one of the models you can find, and it's known for being dependable.

Term

alignment rack

"We'd likely put it on the alignment rack, take some measurements, see if something's out of skew. It feels like the rear end is drifting..."

An alignment rack is a tool that helps mechanics check if a car's wheels are pointing in the right direction. If they're not, it can cause problems with how the car drives and how quickly the tires wear out.

Car

Toyota 4Runner

"...Texture says I have a Toyota 4Runner. Is it possible to disconnect the sensor for the car distance when cruise control is on?"

The Toyota 4Runner is a type of SUV that is good for driving off-road and has a strong build. It's a favorite for people who like outdoor adventures.

Term

cruise control

"...the sensor froze up and would turn off the cruise control. The sensor would clear then I could turn the cruise control back on."

Cruise control helps you drive at a constant speed without needing to press the gas pedal. It's useful for long drives on highways.

Term

distance sensor

"...I think what they're referring to is a distance sensor which is on the front of the vehicle."

A distance sensor helps the car know how far away it is from other objects. This is important for safety features like automatic braking or maintaining a safe distance while driving.

Car

Chevrolet Tahoe

"Here is a 2015 Tahoe intermittent message. RE check suspension. Any idea what we're looking at there?"

The Chevrolet Tahoe is a large SUV that can carry many passengers and has a lot of space for cargo. The 2015 version has a strong engine and comes with modern features for safety and fun while driving.

Term

sensors

"A lot of times we get snow and ice built up on sensors and components that can sometimes"

Sensors are small devices in cars that help keep track of things like tire pressure and temperature. They send information to the car's computer to help it run better.

Term

winter grade oil

"But is there still such a thing as a winter grade oil? That is a good question."

Winter grade oil is a type of oil designed to work better in cold weather. It helps your car start more easily and protects the engine when it's cold outside.

Term

0W20

"You know, most often vehicles use like 0W20 or 5W20"

0W20 is a type of engine oil that works well in both cold and warm weather. The '0W' means it's good for winter, and '20' means it has a certain thickness when the engine is hot.

Term

5W20

"You know, most often vehicles use like 0W20 or 5W20"

5W20 is a type of engine oil that is good for both cold and warm weather. The '5W' means it's suitable for slightly warmer winter conditions compared to 0W20.

Term

start-stop technology

"...we're worried about the newer technology. Oftentimes people ask about the start stop. There's the lane correction. There's a self parking."

Start-stop technology helps save gas by turning off the engine when the car is stopped, like at a red light, and then quickly turning it back on when you want to go again.

Term

self-parking

"...There's a self parking."

Self-parking means your car can park itself without you having to steer, using sensors to find a spot and guide itself in.

Car

Nissan Rogue

"on a 2013 Rogue was told they need a boot replacement"

The Nissan Rogue is a type of car called a crossover SUV. The 2013 version is known for being good on gas and having a lot of space inside for passengers and cargo.

Car

Ram 3500

"...that came in a bit ago, iDrive, Texture says a 3500 ram long box"

The Ram 3500 is a big truck that can carry heavy loads and is often used for work, like towing trailers or hauling equipment. It's built to be strong and reliable.

Term

tire pressure

"You get too much air in the tire it kind of blooms out. You're going to wear out the center of the tire faster than the rest."

Tire pressure is how much air is inside your car's tires. If the pressure is too high or too low, it can cause problems like uneven tire wear and poor handling of the car.

Term

sidewalls

"You get too low of a pressure and those sidewalls are going to cave in."

Sidewalls are the sides of your tires. They help hold the tire's shape and protect it from damage when you hit bumps or potholes.

Car

Nissan Versa Note

"Well I have a 2016 Nissan Versa Note and I bought it because I wanted the good gas mileage with a small car"

The Nissan Versa Note is a small hatchback car that is great for city driving and is known for being fuel-efficient. It's a good option if you want a compact car that saves on gas.

Term

gas mileage

"...because I wanted the good gas mileage with a small car and so I pay attention to that average..."

Gas mileage is how far a car can go using a certain amount of fuel. It's usually shown as miles per gallon (MPG), and higher numbers mean the car is more efficient and uses less gas.

Car

Mazda 5

"...in a 2013 Mazda 5 not loud yet have multiple bids to fix..."

The Mazda 5 is a small family car that has sliding doors and a lot of space inside. It's designed to be practical for families with kids.

9 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars