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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 7, 2026 -  The EV Bill Comes Due: Burning Oil, Hot Trans Temps, and Parts Going Missing

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 7, 2026 - The EV Bill Comes Due: Burning Oil, Hot Trans Temps, and Parts Going Missing

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor Feb 07, 2026 35 min
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About this episode

Ron Ananian dives into the financial struggles of major automakers like Stellantis, which has lost $26.2 billion on electric vehicles, sparking a discussion on the sustainability of the EV market. He emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to EV adoption, reflecting on past predictions. The episode features a call from a listener dealing with alignment issues on a rust-prone truck, where Ron offers practical advice on maintenance and the implications of rust. He also addresses battery problems, highlighting the importance of checking the charging system.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Brand

Ram

"...parent company of Chrysler, Jeep, Ram,..."

Ram is a car brand that makes trucks, especially popular for their strength and utility. It belongs to the larger company Stellantis.

Brand

Chrysler

"...parent company of Chrysler, Jeep, Ram,..."

Chrysler is a car brand from America that makes different types of vehicles, like cars and minivans. It is part of a larger company called Stellantis.

Company

Stellantis

"...that Stellantis, parent company of Chrysler, Jeep, Ram,..."

Stellantis is a big car company that owns brands like Chrysler and Jeep. It was created when two companies merged to make better cars, especially electric ones.

Brand

Jeep

"...parent company of Chrysler, Jeep, Ram,..."

Jeep is a car brand that makes tough vehicles, especially for off-roading. It's part of the larger company Stellantis and is loved by people who enjoy outdoor adventures.

Term

electric vehicles

"...but it's in the news this week. They lost 27% of their stock value in the last two days. And why? Because their EV model doesn't work."

Electric vehicles are cars that run on electricity instead of gas. They are better for the environment and are becoming more common as technology improves.

Term

alignment issue

"Yeah, a pretty simple question for you, probably. Alignment issue. I had it into a shop, because my tire, front tire, is wearing front right, and it's tearing the outside of the tire up."

An alignment issue happens when the wheels of a car aren't pointing in the right direction. This can cause the tires to wear out unevenly and make the car harder to steer.

Term

rust

"...and the vehicle's in Michigan, so it's got a lot of rust."

Rust is what happens when metal gets wet and starts to break down. It can make parts of a car weak or damaged, especially if the car is in a place with a lot of rain or snow.

Term

camber adjustment

"...the two adjustment areas that I understand are there..."

Camber adjustment is when you change how the wheels are tilted to make the car handle better and to help the tires last longer. It can be done with special parts in the car's suspension.

Company

MOOG

"they do make cam kits, accompanied by the name of MOOG, M-Double-O-G, if they're still in business,"

MOOG is a brand that makes car parts, especially for the parts that help your car's wheels and steering work properly. They are popular among car repair shops.

Term

toe

"Toe. Yeah, he was able to adjust that and get that balance to point one, point zero one."

Toe is how much the front of the wheels point in or out compared to the middle of the car. Getting this right helps the car drive straight and keeps the tires from wearing out unevenly.

Part

alternator

"What is the alternator running? Not just voltage-wise, but current-wise, amperage-wise."

An alternator is a part of a car that helps keep the battery charged and powers the car's electrical systems when the engine is running.

Part

battery

"It sounds like the battery is overheated and it's got an issue and I would look at all those factors."

A battery is what starts your car and provides power to electrical parts when the engine isn't running. If it's old or damaged, it might not work well anymore.

Term

charging system

"...a good charging system going on there, voltage amperage, it meets all the specs and checks all the boxes and at that point,..."

The charging system keeps your car's battery charged and powers the electrical parts of the car while the engine is running. It includes the alternator and other components that help manage electricity.

Term

amperage

"...voltage amperage, it meets all the specs and checks all the boxes and at that point,..."

Amperage is how much electricity is flowing in your car's electrical system. It helps determine how much power is being used by things like headlights and the radio.

Term

voltage

"...voltage amperage, it meets all the specs and checks all the boxes and at that point,..."

Voltage is like the pressure of electricity in your car. It tells you how much electrical energy is available to power things like lights and the radio.

Car

Acura 3.2 TL

"So my daughter has a 99 Acura 3.2 TL. The thing is, a tank runs great, except on a hot start."

The Acura 3.2 TL is a comfortable and stylish car from the late 1990s. It has a V6 engine, which gives it good power for a sedan.

Term

feather the gas

"It'll stall unless you feather the gas for about 10 to 30 seconds, then it settles down."

Feathering the gas means pressing the gas pedal lightly to help the car keep running without stalling. It's like giving it just a little bit of gas when it needs help.

Term

injectors

"I figured the injectors were leaking down and flooding the intake mouth folds."

Injectors are parts of the engine that help deliver fuel to make the car run. They spray fuel into the engine so it can mix with air and burn to create power.

Term

residual pressure test

"So I ran a residual pressure test and it's perfect."

A residual pressure test checks if the fuel system can keep pressure after the engine is off. It's important to see if there are any leaks that could cause problems when starting the car.

Term

fuel pressure

"...hey Ron, fuel pressure is good. I'm still concerned about volume..."

Fuel pressure is how hard the fuel is pushed through the engine. If it's not strong enough, the engine might not run well or start at all.

Term

cavitation

"...I'm still concerned about volume. I'm still concerned about cavitation..."

Cavitation happens when bubbles form in a liquid, like when a pump isn't working right. These bubbles can cause damage and make the pump less effective.

Term

impeller

"...Do I have a pump where the impeller is wearing out? You ever have a sump pump in the basement..."

An impeller is a part of a pump that helps move water or fuel. If it gets worn out, the pump won't work as well as it should.

Term

fuel pump

"...And you know, a fuel pump. So you're thinking this is not enough fuel on the hot start?"

The fuel pump is like a water pump for your car's fuel. It moves fuel from the tank to the engine so the car can run properly.

Part

crank sensor

"Let's heat the crank sensor up. I'm not saying no, I've never seen it, but you know, when I had old GM 3800s, DIS crank sensor breakdowns..."

The crank sensor helps the engine know how fast it's turning and when to fire the spark plugs. If it fails, the engine might not run properly.

Part

GM coil pack

"...or a crank sensor or a GM coil pack, which was common, so. Hopefully she could tell the difference."

A GM coil pack helps start the engine by sending a strong electric spark to the spark plugs. This is what makes the fuel in the engine ignite and power the car.

Term

spark tester

"...let's go for fuel pressure first. And then just for giggles, you got a spark tester, right?"

A spark tester is a device that checks if the engine's spark plugs are working properly. It shows if there's a good spark to ignite the fuel.

Term

coil wire

"...Can we just take one cylinder and put a spark tester on it and maybe set up a coil wire?"

A coil wire is a wire that carries electricity from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. It helps the engine start by sending a spark to ignite the fuel.

Term

spark plug

"...put a spark plug wire onto the spark plug in the head"

A spark plug is a part of the engine that creates a small spark to burn the fuel and air mixture, helping the engine run.

Part

transfluid exchange

"we've got this really great one about transfluid exchange using the Mala ATX 280, the new trans machine."

Transfluid exchange is when you change the fluid that helps your car's transmission work. It's like changing the oil for your engine, but for the part that helps your car change gears.

Company

Mala

"using the Mala ATX 280, the new trans machine."

Mala is a brand that makes tools and machines for fixing cars, especially for the parts that help cars change gears. They help mechanics do their jobs better.

Car

Hyundai 20 Hyundai

"Let's go over to Ted in Minnesota, 20 Hyundai Tucson and see what's going on here. Welcome, Te..."

The Hyundai i20 is a small car that is easy to drive and park, making it great for city living. It's known for being reliable and having good fuel economy, which means you won't spend too much on gas.

Car

Hyundai Tucson

"Let's go over to Ted in Minnesota, 20 Hyundai Tucson and see what's going on here. Yeah, my daughter has a 20 Hyundai and it was under just under 100,000 miles."

The Hyundai Tucson is a small SUV that many people use for everyday driving. The 2020 version has a lot of features and is designed to be comfortable and reliable.

Car

Chevrolet Tahoe

"...16 Chevy Tahoe. Mike, what's going on?"

The Chevrolet Tahoe is a large SUV that can carry many passengers and has a lot of space for cargo. It's often used by families or for towing things like trailers.

3 cars featured

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