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Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - November 1, 2025 - Hour 2 - Doing A Honda Oil Change The Wrong Way - (855)560-9900  24/7 Hotline

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - November 1, 2025 - Hour 2 - Doing A Honda Oil Change The Wrong Way - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline

Ron Ananian The Car Doctor Nov 02, 2025 34 min
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About this episode

Ron Ananian shares insights from his extensive automotive experience, discussing the importance of proper oil changes and maintenance. A listener recounts a mishap at a Honda dealership where an oil change mistake led to a free service, sparking a conversation about the quality of oil changes across shops. Ron emphasizes the significance of using the correct parts, such as drain plug gaskets, and the potential long-term effects of neglecting maintenance. The episode also touches on the importance of understanding service costs and the value of quality repairs.

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Term

rotate the tires

"...I like take them off and clean them up in the back, you know, and make sure they're good. So I rotate the tires while I'm doing that..."

Rotating the tires means changing their positions on the car so they wear evenly. This helps the tires last longer and perform better.

Term

oil change

"...He said, we changed the oil and rotated the tires. I said, Hey, you know, I asked you not to do that..."

An oil change is when the old oil in the engine is replaced with new oil. This helps keep the engine running well and prevents damage.

Part

oil filter

"...there's oil filters that are loose. There's drain plug gaskets that aren't changed..."

An oil filter is a part of your car that cleans the oil before it goes back into the engine. It helps keep the oil clean and the engine running well.

Term

crush washer

"...you had mentioned about the crush washers. Yep. Well, after a week after my oil change, I noticed a little pool of oil..."

A crush washer is a small ring that helps seal the oil drain plug so that oil doesn't leak out. It gets squished when you tighten the plug, making it fit better.

Part

engine oil

"...you take that drain plug out, you know, you're going to get oil. It's all gone at that point."

Engine oil is a liquid that helps keep the engine running smoothly by reducing friction and preventing damage. It's important to change it regularly to keep the engine healthy.

Part

drain plug gasket

"...for example, if I stock 50 Honda drain plug gaskets and I probably stock a hundred because it's such a common number. If I stock a hundred every time I use one, I put it on the order because we charge for it..."

A drain plug gasket is a small rubber or metal piece that helps seal the area where oil drains out of a car. It stops oil from leaking out and keeps everything working properly.

Car

Honda Civic

"...buying a basic model? You're mid-grade. Yeah. Well, have you priced a new Civic lately? Are they only 26,000?"

The Honda Civic is a small car that many people buy because it's reliable and doesn't use too much gas. It's a good option for those who want a budget-friendly vehicle.

Term

MSRP

"...have you priced a new Civic lately? Are they only 26,000? This is a 24. Okay. Oh, okay. All right. So geez, they're only 26..."

MSRP is the price that car companies suggest you should pay for a new car. It's like a guideline for how much the car should cost when you buy it.

Car

Honda Crv

"..., you know, how much is an accord? How much is a CRV? You know, we see upwards of some cars, $35,000 ..."

The Honda CR-V is a popular type of car called an SUV, which means it’s bigger and has more space inside than a regular car. People like it because it’s reliable, good on gas, and can fit a lot of stuff or people comfortably.

Part

throwout bearing

"why would you not replace the throwout bearing? If you had that all taken apart..."

The throwout bearing is a part in cars with manual transmissions that helps the clutch work properly. It allows you to change gears smoothly.

Part

brake pads

"...there's people out there that'll do brake pads without replacing rotors..."

Brake pads are the parts that help your car slow down or stop. They press against the wheels to create friction, and when they wear out, they need to be replaced to keep your brakes working well.

Part

brake rotors

"...without replacing rotors...how do you know they won't work better if you properly break them in...on a brake rotor that's been scored and cross hatched..."

Brake rotors are the flat discs that your brake pads press against to help stop your car. If they get damaged or worn out, they can affect how well your brakes work.

Term

6.6 gas engine

"...has the 6.6 gas engine in it. And between oil changes, I'm losing two to three quarts of oil..."

The 6.6 gas engine is a type of engine used in some Chevrolet trucks that provides strong performance, especially for towing and carrying heavy loads.

Term

gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)

"What do you mean by that? What's the gross vehicle weight rating?"

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the total weight a vehicle can safely handle, including everything inside it. It's important to know this for safety and to avoid overloading the vehicle.

Term

oil consumption test

"...There is an oil consumption test as outlined in that Bulletin, and I'm going to tell you point blank. I think that's too high."

An oil consumption test checks how much oil a car uses while driving. If a car uses too much oil, it might have problems that need fixing.

Car

Chevrolet Silverado

"...I own that same truck. All right. I have a 22 Silverado HD 6.6, 2,500, etc. And I haven't had that problem yet. Not good."

The Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500 is a strong truck made for heavy work. It's great for towing and carrying heavy loads, making it popular for people who need a reliable vehicle for tough jobs.

Term

catalytic converters

"...it's the damage it's doing to the rest of the vehicle. The oxygen sensors, the catalytic converters. Well, that's what I'm thinking."

A catalytic converter is a part of the car that helps clean the exhaust gases before they leave the car. It makes the air less polluted by changing harmful gases into safer ones.

Term

oxygen sensors

"...it's the damage it's doing to the rest of the vehicle. The oxygen sensors, the catalytic converters. Well, that's what I'm thinking."

Oxygen sensors are parts of a car that check how much oxygen is in the exhaust. They help the engine run better and use fuel more efficiently.

Term

SAE 5W30

"Yeah, it's SAE 5W30. Yep, with dexos. Okay, all right. That's an eight-quart system, if I recall correctly, right?"

SAE 5W30 is a type of motor oil that helps your engine run smoothly. The '5W' means it's good for cold weather, and '30' means it's thick enough when the engine is hot.

Term

dexos

"Yeah, it's SAE 5W30. Yep, with dexos. Okay, all right. That's an eight-quart system, if I recall correctly, right?"

Dexos is a special standard for motor oil used in General Motors cars. It helps make sure the oil works well and keeps the engine safe.

Term

warranty

"...we're going to warranty this. We're going to find out. We're going to get to the root cause of it."

A warranty is like a promise from the car company that they'll fix or replace parts of your car if something goes wrong within a certain time after you buy it.

Car

Jeep Compass

"So I got a 2017 Jeep Compass and I bought it new. It's got the body style as B. They switch the body styles right in the middle of the year."

The Jeep Compass is a small SUV that can handle both city driving and some off-road adventures. The 2017 version has a nicer look and better features than older models.

Car

Dodge 3500

"We bought a set of rear rotors for, of course, that was a full-sized Dodge 3500 diesel duly pickup something, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah."

The Dodge 3500 is a big pickup truck that can carry heavy loads and is often used for work. It's built to be very strong and durable.

Car

Toyota Prius

"...u wonder if kids went drag racing today in like a Prius or an EV or something with crash avoidance. Woul..."

The Toyota Prius is a special kind of car called a hybrid, which means it uses both gas and electricity to run, making it very good on gas. It’s popular among people who want to save money on fuel and help the environment.

Term

computer flashing

"I want to talk to you about computer flashing. I don't know where I get these ideas from. I want to talk to you about computer flashing."

Computer flashing is when you update the software in a car's computer system. This can help fix problems or make the car run better.

Company

Opus IVF

"So we dialed up our opus. Of course, we've got an Opus IVF scan tool set up and we dialed up and logged in with them..."

Opus IVF is a type of tool that mechanics use to check what's wrong with cars. It helps them fix problems by reading the car's computer and sometimes updating its software.

Term

transmission

"...it's time for a trans. And then the tech at Opus said..."

The transmission is like the part of the car that helps it change speeds. It makes sure the car can go fast or slow when needed.

Term

General Motors

"...it's a note from General Motors that talks about and it's not a, it's not a public released memo..."

General Motors is a big company that makes cars like Chevrolet and Cadillac. They also create technology to help cars run better.

Car

Chevrolet Express

"...y filling out the paperwork at home and schedule express pickup or home delivery? Done. When it comes to h..."

The Chevrolet Express is a big van that can carry a lot of stuff, making it great for businesses or families that need extra space. It’s often talked about because it’s practical for moving things around.

Concept

AMG

"...you start to read the book and you listen to Matt and you go, wow, you know, it's, it really is a hot rod. And we're actually going to get an explanation. I'm not even going to attempt to pronounce it here. But you know, Matt in my preliminary interview with him, he did explain to me what AMG stands for. It's very German"

AMG is a special division of Mercedes-Benz that makes high-performance cars. They take regular Mercedes cars and make them faster and more powerful.

6 cars featured

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