Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - Classic Car Doctor - August 29, 2015 - Quiet Shops, Classic CRX Decisions & The Truth About “Upgrading” Brakes
About this episode
Ron Ananian’s “Car Doctor” hour blends shop-owner perspective with practical buyer and repair advice. He and BMW guru Dave Ray argue that many customers get “beaten up” by the repair industry, so trust your gut and expect the worst—then demand proof. Calls cover buying a 1989 Honda CRX for a college student (three hours away, likely clutch/tires/parts issues), a dealership dispute over brake work and returning customer parts, oil-consumption strategy on a big-block Chevy (cleaning-focused synthetic vs masking problems), and diagnosing hesitation on a Ford F-150 via EGR passage buildup.
From August 29, 2015 – Hour 1
Ron opens the show with a reflection on the quiet moments in repair shops—and the meaningful conversations that happen between shop owners when the noise fades and experience takes over.
The calls cover a wide range of real-world situations. A listener considers buying a classic Honda CRX, sparking a discussion about what to look for in older vehicles. Another caller with a Honda Accord shares frustration with a dealership experience, leading Ron into a broader take on trust and communication in the repair world.
An email comes in about a Ford Explorer—but instead of fixing a problem, the goal is to dress up “boring” brakes, raising the question of appearance versus performance.
There’s also a maintenance discussion on a Chevrolet Silverado 2500, debating whether oil additives belong in a synthetic oil engine, and a diagnostic call on a Ford F-150 with a running issue that needs a careful, methodical approach.
A look back at the cars, questions, and concerns of 2015—and how much, and how little, has really changed.
Car advice, done right—then and now.
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Triple A
"The simplest things, [6.2s] whereas the owner's manual where the four waves, not having the phone number for the roadside service, Triple A or whoever you're using programmed into the phone."
AAA is a membership service that helps if your car breaks down. They can often tow you or help you get going again.
AAA (Triple-A) is a well-known roadside assistance and membership organization in the U.S. It’s commonly used for towing, jump-starts, and other emergency help.
blower
"When you're turning on the blower [25.5s] and the compressor that is a very high current draw, typically as high as twenty two to twenty five amps on a car of that age."
The blower is the fan that pushes air into the cabin. Turning it on can use a lot of electricity, which matters on older cars.
A blower is the fan that moves air through the HVAC system (heating and A/C). When you turn it on, it can draw significant electrical current, especially on older vehicles.
amps
"When you're turning on the blower [25.5s] and the compressor that is a very high current draw, typically as high as twenty two to twenty five amps on a car of that age."
“Amps” is a measure of how much electricity is flowing. The point here is that the A/C-related parts can pull a lot of current on older cars.
“Amps” (amperes) measure electrical current. Mentioning a specific range helps listeners understand that HVAC loads can be substantial enough to affect older cars’ electrical systems.
compressor
"When you're turning on the blower [25.5s] and the compressor that is a very high current draw, typically as high as twenty two to twenty five amps on a car of that age."
The compressor is the part of the A/C system that makes the air-conditioning work. It’s also one of the biggest electrical loads, especially on older cars.
In an A/C system, the compressor pressurizes refrigerant so the system can cool the air. It’s one of the highest electrical loads in many cars, so it can stress aging electrical systems.
expect the worst
"[176.2s] he said, one of the things I tell people walking into my shop... is you should walk in here with an expectation that it could be the worst, and if it's not, be surprised."
The host is saying you should go into a repair shop ready for things to go wrong. That way, if the shop does a great job, you’re pleasantly surprised.
“Expect the worst” is presented as a customer mindset for dealing with repair shops. It’s meant to reduce the chance of being surprised by overcharging, sloppy work, or upsells, while still allowing for the possibility of a good outcome.
gut instinct
"[264.6s] we possess as human beings is our gut instinct... [277.1s] gut tell you? And if your gut tells you, yeah, [279.6s] I don't think I want to get married... And chances are you probably don't want to."
The host emphasizes “gut instinct” as an early warning system when choosing a service professional. In practice, it maps to noticing red flags—unclear explanations, pushy behavior, or reluctance to document work—before authorizing repairs.
brakes
"they'll come out and look at me and go, you gotta have brakes. This is dangerous's got to be done. Now. I look at them. I got to go fail me because you've obviously looked at them and they're nowhere near being a problem."
“Brakes” refers to the vehicle’s braking system, which is a safety-critical component. The speaker is arguing that the inspection shop claimed the brakes needed work, but he believed they were not actually a problem.
stabilizer bar
"then this past year they decided it needed a stabilizer bar that you and Danny were hanging on in the shop and couldn't move and they said it was loose."
A stabilizer bar helps keep the car from leaning too much when you turn. The story is about a shop saying it was loose, but the speaker didn’t agree that it was actually a real issue.
A stabilizer bar (also called an anti-roll bar) helps reduce body roll during cornering by linking the left and right suspension. The speaker recalls a shop claiming it was loose and needing replacement or adjustment, which he felt was unnecessary or misdiagnosed.
Honda CRX
"Really I find appealing. It's nineteen eighty nine Honda CRX with one hundred two thousand miles, right, and it's just one off. That's something I should stay away from at that age or whether whether you know, Tony, it's. Just that it's twenty five years old."
The Honda CRX is a small sporty Honda from the late 1980s. In this call, it’s the exact used car Tony is thinking about buying, and the discussion is about what could go wrong soon after purchase.
The Honda CRX is a small, sporty hatchback from Honda’s lineup, and the 1989 model is from the first-generation CRX era. In this conversation it’s the specific used car Tony is considering for his son, so its age and typical wear items matter a lot.
automatic or stick
"They want? Five thousands? Okay? Automatic or stick? Okay? So let's say you pay five grand for this car and six months from now the clutch fails."
“Stick” refers to a manual transmission, while “automatic” is an automatic transmission. The choice matters because manual cars add a clutch wear item and require driver skill, while automatics shift without a clutch pedal.
tires
"How are the tires on the car? You know? I I don't know. I haven't taken a good look at it."
Tires are the rubber contact with the road. If they’re worn out or old, you’ll likely have to replace them soon, which adds cost to buying a used car.
Tires are one of the first “hidden” costs on an older used car. If tread is low, tires are old, or they’re mismatched, you may need to replace them before the car is safe to drive.
timing belt
"In that case, when I looked at the car as a mechanic, the first things I'm going to look at is I want to know is the timing belt ever done?"
The timing belt is a belt inside the engine that keeps everything moving in sync. If it’s old or hasn’t been replaced when it should, it can cause major engine problems.
A timing belt synchronizes the crankshaft and camshaft so the engine’s valves open at the correct time. If it’s not replaced on schedule, it can lead to severe engine damage, so a mechanic will often ask whether the belt has ever been done.
undercarriage
"What kind of shape is the undercarriage in? What kind of condition are the breaking the fuel lines in?"
The undercarriage is the bottom of the car—where rust and damage often show up first. A quick inspection can tell you whether the car has been cared for or has hidden problems.
The undercarriage refers to the chassis and components underneath the car, including areas prone to rust and wear. Checking it helps identify deferred maintenance issues that can become expensive, especially on older vehicles.
change a tire
"I'm gonna have to give her the how to change a tire lesson? ... Have her wear shorts and sandals... Teach a kid to change a flat."
Changing a tire means swapping a flat tire for the spare using the car’s tools. The host is basically saying kids should learn this before they’re stuck far from help.
“Change a tire” refers to the basic roadside skill of swapping a flat tire using a spare, jack, and lug tools. The discussion frames it as a practical safety/independence skill for drivers, especially new drivers heading to college.
spark plug
"And I also want to have a spark plug done, even though it's a low mile parts ten years old. I know, I hear you."
Spark plugs help the engine start and run smoothly by creating a spark. If they’re worn or dirty, the engine can misfire or run poorly.
Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine. Even if they’re “low mile” and old, they can still be replaced if they’re due, fouled, or not performing as expected.
brake pad life
"The pads are worn. Uh, you couldn't came the wheel note spent on break life or a break pad life or even a dirty wheel?"
Brake pad life is how much life is left in the brake pads. If the pads still have plenty of thickness, a full brake job might not be necessary.
Brake pad life is the remaining service life of the brake pads, usually estimated from thickness and wear patterns. In a “do I need this brake job?” discussion, pad life evidence (measurements or inspection notes) matters.
documentation
"Let me ask you this, Chris, what do you have as far as documentation. I'll tell you what before you answer that question."
Documentation is the paperwork from the shop visit. The speaker wants proof in writing about what the shop did and what they said about parts or repairs.
Documentation refers to the paperwork and notes from the repair visit—like the repair order, inspection notes, and any instructions about parts. The speaker is asking what records the dealership has to support what was done and what was recommended.
hot rods
"But we're gonna drag the hot rod up and have a good time. It's a great weekend about hot rods and vendors and funny cars and all sorts of things."
Hot rods are cars that have been modified, usually older cars, to make them look cooler and drive better. They’re a big part of classic car culture and shows.
Hot rods are modified cars—often older models—built for style and performance, typically involving engine, drivetrain, and suspension upgrades. The term is central to the event being discussed and is a key part of classic/enthusiast car culture.
Cardon dot com
"You're referencing the conversation we had about card Don and card done ultra brake calipers, and you can find out more at cardone dot com. And if you recall, the conversation with Cardon was about they've done some pretty extensive research into powder coating and making brake calipers more appealing."
They’re pointing listeners to a company website (Cardone) for brake products. Here it’s mainly about brake calipers and making the brake area look nicer.
The speaker is referencing Cardone (via cardone.com) as a source for brake-related products. In this context, it’s tied to a discussion about brake calipers and how they can be finished to look better behind factory wheels.
brake calipers
"You're referencing the conversation we had about card Don and card done ultra brake calipers... The idea behind it is the card Dome brake calipers give you a nicer finish, a cleaner finish, and is more of a polished look to the break assembly."
Brake calipers are the parts that clamp the brake pads to stop the car. People also care about how they look, since you can often see them through the wheels.
Brake calipers are the clamping mechanism that squeezes the brake pads against the rotor when you press the brake pedal. Caliper finish (like powder coating) can change the visual “show” of the brake assembly, especially with open-spoke wheels.
powder coating
"And if you recall, the conversation with Cardon was about they've done some pretty extensive research into powder coating and making brake calipers more appealing."
Powder coating is a special paint process that bakes on a hard, long-lasting finish. On brake calipers, it helps them resist rust and can make them look cleaner behind the wheels.
Powder coating is a durable surface-finishing process where a dry powder is applied and then cured (baked) to form a tough coating. On brake calipers, it’s often used to improve appearance and add corrosion resistance.
Lucas
"So I started using Lucas Hey Diny heavy duty engine stabilizer, engine oil stabilizer, right."
Lucas is a brand that makes oil additives. The caller is using it to help with oil usage and is wondering if it’s still necessary once they switch to synthetic oil.
Lucas Oil is an aftermarket brand known for products like oil stabilizers and additives. In this episode, the caller is using Lucas to address oil loss and wants to know how it fits with switching to synthetic oil.
synthetical
"...my question is we've been talking about going to all synthetical. Would you still need to use like the Lucas with the synthetic oil or not."
They’re asking about switching to synthetic oil. The key question is whether synthetic oil alone is enough, or if they still need an additive to deal with oil usage.
The caller is asking about synthetic oil (the transcript says “synthetical”), and whether an oil stabilizer/additive is still needed. Synthetic oil can reduce some forms of wear and improve cold-flow properties, but it doesn’t automatically fix all causes of oil consumption.
oil consumption issues
"There is an argument going on in the industry right now because so many manufacturers are having issues with oil consumption."
They’re saying this isn’t just one truck—there’s a bigger debate in the industry about engines that use more oil than expected. That’s why people argue about what oil type or additives to use.
The host mentions an industry argument about oil consumption problems from manufacturers. This frames the discussion as more than one owner’s experience—some engines have known tendencies or design/maintenance sensitivities that lead to higher-than-expected oil use.
oil ring
"They're running very low tension rings, especially the oil ring... extended oil drain intervals they're finding are creating issues with varnish and sludge build up inside the engine."
The oil ring is a small ring on the piston that helps keep oil from getting into the engine’s combustion area. If it gets gummed up with dirty deposits, it can start letting oil slip past. That can make the engine burn more oil.
The oil ring is part of the piston ring set and helps control how much oil stays on the cylinder walls. If the oil ring gets coated with varnish or sludge, it can stick and allow oil to pass into the combustion area, increasing oil consumption. The speaker connects extended oil drain intervals to varnish/sludge buildup that can affect the oil ring.
synthetic oils
"...it may be that you want to run a very high cleansing synthetic for a couple of oil changes to see if that frees up the varnish..."
Synthetic oil is a type of engine oil made to last and protect better than conventional oil. Here, the point is that some synthetics are better at cleaning deposits. The speaker suggests using a cleaner oil for a short period to help free up stuck areas.
Synthetic oils are engineered lubricants designed to resist breakdown and maintain performance over time. In this segment, the speaker recommends using a “very high cleansing synthetic” for a couple of oil changes to help remove varnish around the oil rings. The goal is cleaning rather than simply increasing oil thickness.
misfire fault
"Do you think maybe missfire fault was a misfire fault among them, yes. Or we don't put a call on it. Yeah, six"
A misfire fault means the engine isn’t burning fuel in a cylinder the way it should. That can make the truck feel like it hesitates or runs rough.
A misfire fault means the engine detected that one or more cylinders aren’t firing correctly. Misfires can cause hesitation, rough running, and often trigger related diagnostic codes.
carbond up
"The the way they distribute e g R on this particular engine is there are pintal holes in the intake runners and they feed EGR through a passage and what happens is the passages get carbond up, so it will dump all of the e g R or excess e g R into whatever pintals are open."
Carbon buildup is gunk that collects inside engine passages. If it blocks or restricts the EGR path, the engine can get confused about how much exhaust gas to use and start acting up.
Carbon buildup refers to soot and deposits that accumulate inside intake passages over time, especially in EGR-related plumbing. When those passages clog, the EGR flow can become uneven or excessive, leading to hesitation and other symptoms.
EGR valve
"I don't know, maybe you've done this clear all the code codes. Disconnect the e GR valve and see how the vehicle runs. If the vehicle runs good, but an EGR fault comes back, you'll know why the valve's not connected."
The EGR valve is a part that recycles some exhaust back into the engine. That helps the engine burn cleaner. If it’s not working right, the car may run poorly and throw an EGR-related code.
EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valves route a small amount of exhaust gas back into the intake to reduce combustion temperatures and NOx emissions. When the EGR system faults, it can cause drivability issues and can also affect how the engine manages fueling.
scan tool
"What sort of scan tool are you using, James, Yeah, so you can record in that. Take a look at your fuel trims, take a look at two sensors, see where they're going..."
A scan tool reads diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and live data from engine sensors. In this context, it’s used to monitor fuel trims and sensor behavior before and after disabling the EGR to confirm the cause.
switch to synthetic oil
"...after you make the switch to pens oil synthetic, if he wants to do something else and put the Lucas in afterwards, that's fine."
Switching to synthetic oil means changing to a different type of engine oil. People do this to help the engine run smoother and protect better, and sometimes it can affect oil usage.
Switching to synthetic oil is a common maintenance step when trying to improve engine lubrication and reduce wear. In discussions about oil consumption, the goal is often to see whether the new oil’s formulation changes how the engine behaves over time.
changing oil by the manufacturer's light
"we were having a conversation about oil issues, and his words to me were, too many people are changing oil by the manufacturer's light. This is from the service manager"
Some cars tell you when to change the oil using a dashboard light. The point here is that waiting for that light might be too long for some engines.
Many modern cars use an oil-life monitor that triggers a warning based on driving conditions rather than a fixed schedule. The quote argues that relying on that “light” can lead to overly long intervals and oil-related issues in some vehicles.
oil change intervals
"of a Toyota dealer. The longer oil change intervals. I [2079.7s] wrote it down verbatim. The longer oil change intervals are [2082.2s] proving to create consumption issues in some vehicles"
This is how long you’re supposed to wait between oil changes—either by time or by miles. If you wait too long, the oil can wear out and stop protecting the engine.
“Oil change intervals” are the recommended time or mileage between oil services. Longer intervals can reduce maintenance frequency, but they also increase the chance of oil breaking down and not protecting engine components as well.
time or mileage
"He said it would be cheaper [2091.8s] to change the oil by time or mileage in the long run, and the car companies would get better service image"
Instead of waiting for the dashboard light, you change oil on a set schedule—like every few months or every certain number of miles.
“Time or mileage” refers to using a fixed schedule for oil changes (for example, every X months or every Y miles). The speaker suggests this approach can be cheaper long-term if it prevents oil breakdown and oil-related wear.
Denso
"We talk about [2122.7s] dentso here on the show and denso Tt spark plugs and all that Dentso brings to the table. Well, you know, [2127.8s] they're more than spark plugs."
Denso is a company that makes car parts. Here they’re talking specifically about Denso air-conditioning compressors and how widely they’re used.
Denso is an automotive supplier best known for parts like spark plugs and air-conditioning components. In this segment, the host highlights Denso’s AC compressor lineup and positions it as OE-grade technology with broad vehicle coverage.
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