Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - October 25, 2025 - Hour 1 - The How & Why About Automotive Maintenance - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline
Ron Ananian The Car Doctor
Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - October 25, 2025 - Hour 1 - The How & Why About Automotive Maintenance - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline
Ron Ananian The Car Doctor · Oct 26, 2025
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33:54
Term
fluids and filters
Fluids and filters are the liquids and parts in your car that help it run smoothly. They need to be checked and changed regularly to keep everything working well.
Term
spark plugs
Spark plugs are small parts in your car's engine that help it start by creating a tiny spark that ignites the fuel. They need to be changed from time to time to keep the engine running well.
Term
fuel system cleaning
Fuel system cleaning is when a mechanic cleans out the parts of your car that deliver fuel to the engine. This can help your car run better and use less gas.
Term
coolant service
Coolant service is when a mechanic checks and changes the liquid that keeps your car's engine from getting too hot. It's important for keeping your engine running smoothly.
Term
batteries
Car batteries provide the power needed to start the engine and run electrical parts. They usually last about three to five years, so using an old battery can cause problems.
Term
customer complaint
A customer complaint is when someone who owns a car tells the mechanic that something is wrong with it. Here, the owner said the car made noise when turning left and sometimes hesitated.
Part
transmission
The transmission is what helps your car change gears. If it's not working well, you might feel rough shifts or clunks when driving.
Term
P0741
P0741 is a code that mechanics use to identify problems with a part called the torque converter. If this code appears, it means there might be an issue that needs fixing to ensure the car runs smoothly.
Part
torque converter
The torque converter is a part in automatic cars that helps transfer power from the engine to the wheels. It makes sure the car can move smoothly, especially when starting from a stop.
Brand
Acura
Acura is a brand of cars made by Honda that focuses on luxury and performance. They make cars that are often more upscale compared to regular Honda models.
Term
DPS system
DPS is a system that helps control how power is sent to the wheels of a car. It's important for keeping the car stable and performing well, especially in different driving conditions.
Term
trans service
Trans service is when you change the fluid and filter in your car's transmission. This helps the transmission work better and last longer.
Term
diff service
Diff service is when you change the fluid in the part of your car that helps the wheels turn at different speeds. This keeps that part working well and prevents problems.
Term
tires
Tires are the round rubber parts that help your car move and grip the road. They need to be in good shape for safe driving.
Term
brakes
Brakes are what help your car slow down or stop when you press the pedal. They need to be checked regularly to make sure they work well.
Term
maintenance
Maintenance is the work you do to keep a car running well. It includes things like changing the oil and checking the brakes.
Term
frame rotted
If a car's frame rots, it means the metal part that holds the car together is breaking down, usually because of rust. This can make the car unsafe to drive.
Car
Ford Escape
The Ford Escape is a small SUV that's good for driving around town or taking on trips. The 2015 version has different engine choices and is popular for its usefulness.
Part
battery
The battery is what starts your car and powers things like the lights and radio when the engine isn't running. It's important to change it regularly to keep your car working well.
Term
start-stop vehicle
A start-stop vehicle turns off the engine when you're not moving, like at traffic lights, and starts it again when you press the gas. This saves fuel and helps the environment.
Concept
stop-start system
A stop-start system is a feature in some cars that turns off the engine when you're stopped, like at a red light, and turns it back on when you press the gas pedal. It helps save fuel and reduce pollution.
Car
Chevy Colorado
The Chevy Colorado is a smaller pickup truck made by Chevrolet. It's useful for carrying things and can be good for both work and personal use.
Car
Chevrolet Suburbans
The Chevrolet Suburban is a big family vehicle that can carry a lot of people and stuff. It's popular because it's roomy and can last a long time, which is why someone might talk about how it holds up after several years.
Term
key fob
A key fob is a small remote that lets you lock and unlock your car without using a traditional key.
Term
TPMS light
The TPMS light is a warning light on your dashboard that tells you if your tires are not properly inflated. It helps you keep your tires safe and in good condition.
Term
differential oil change
Differential oil change is when the oil in a part of the car that helps the wheels turn is replaced. This is important for keeping the car running smoothly.
Term
TPM systems
TPM systems are tools in cars that check if the tires have enough air. If the air is too low, they let you know so you can fill them up and stay safe while driving.
Term
tire rotation
Tire rotation means changing the position of the tires on your car so they wear out evenly. This helps them last longer and keeps your car safe.
Term
tire pressure
Tire pressure is how much air is inside your car's tires. It's important to have the right amount of air to keep the tires safe and help the car drive better.
Term
certified pre-owned car
A certified pre-owned car is a used car that has been checked and approved by the manufacturer or dealer. It usually comes with a warranty, so you know it's in good shape.
Car
Chevrolet Express
The Chevrolet Express is a large van that can carry a lot of items or people, making it great for businesses. It's built to be strong and useful, which is why people might mention it when talking about getting things done quickly.
Car
Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave is a large SUV that can fit a lot of passengers and cargo. The 2021 version has many modern features to make driving easier and more enjoyable.
LIVE
This is an I Heart podcast, guaranteed human.
This is Carissa Thompson from Calm Down with Erin and Carissa.
Buying a car used to be a whole day affair,
but now at Amazon Autos, you can shop for a new,
used or certified pre-owned car whenever, wherever.
How great is that?
You can browse hundreds of vehicles
from top local dealers all in one place.
You can also apply for financing
at optional protection products
and determine your trade and value
all with transparent pricing.
Then once you've made your purchase,
head to the dealer to test drive,
wrap up and drive home happy.
Go to amazon.com slash autos today.
Amazon autos, car shopping, that clicks.
This is Tanya Rad from Scrubbing In
with Beckett Tilley and Tanya Rad.
Airtasker is the platform
that helps people get anything done.
Furniture assembly, cleaning, errands, repairs, organizing.
Even the odd, can someone please deal with this job?
And during the holidays, Airtasker is a lifesaver.
Think holiday lights, gift wrapping,
last minute toy builds, or someone to wait in line
for those viral cookie drops.
You can book a tasker for anything you can think of.
Gingerbread mansions, elf drop-ins for kids,
full holiday photo setups,
or a backyard turned into a winter wonderland.
But it's just as useful year round.
Moving help, yard work, decluttering, pet care,
tutoring, event help, anything.
Here's how it works.
Just go on Airtasker, describe what you need,
set a budget, and choose the best tasker for the job.
Holiday season or everyday life.
Airtasker, get anything done.
Download the Airtasker app or go to Airtasker.com.
You're listening to Ron and Annie and the Car Doctor,
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trusted by mechanics, weekend renters,
and vehicle owners alike.
Ron brings over 40 years of hands-on experience
and deep industry insight
to help you understand your vehicle.
Join the conversation live every Saturday
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That's 855-560-9900.
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And be sure to subscribe to the Car Doctor YouTube channel
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Now, start your engines.
The Car Doctor is in the garage and ready to take your call.
What goes through your mind when you buy a new car?
Do you ever stop to think about
you're gonna have to maintain it?
I wonder how you, the consumer,
my consumers out there look at maintenance.
It came to me this week that I don't think
you look at it well.
I don't think you like doing maintenance.
Some of you, most of you, a lot of you.
And I guess it's a hard sell.
I thought about it this week.
I had the realization that it must be hard
to do maintenance on a car.
Here's the scenario, right?
You bring your car into your trusted mechanic,
or maybe he's the first-time guy.
And they're recommending some fluids and filters
and spark plugs maybe, and fuel system cleaning,
and coolant service, and fire rotation, and so on,
and all of a sudden you're spending $1,000 on maintenance.
And you get the car back, and it runs exactly the same.
It may, maybe it runs a little smoother.
Maybe the fuel system cleaning made a difference.
Maybe some of the fluid changes made a difference.
But it still pretty much runs the same.
How do you look at that?
Do you see that as what did I spend my money on?
I don't think you see the value in maintenance
until three years later,
when you're still driving that same car.
I don't know, just my two cents, just my way of looking at it.
I think it's very easy to ignore.
I think for the record, I bet most cars today,
most cars, not all cars, most cars,
would probably go 100,000 miles just doing oil changes
and a couple of tire rotations,
and boom, you're out of the car, you're done.
I don't think it'll go 200,000, and that's the key, right?
If you're driving that car,
and if you're planning to drive that car beyond 100,000 miles,
I think you gotta stick to maintenance.
Now, I also think that doing maintenance,
regardless of when you're getting rid of the car,
puts the odds in your favor of not having a failure
or fault or breakdown on the road.
But then, as I say that,
I think about the people that still roll the dice
on certain things, batteries.
I can't tell you how many people right now
I know of personally and through the business
that are driving around on seven, eight,
nine-year-old batteries that are rated for five.
It's kind of the oddity, it is.
It's more the exception than the rule,
but, and it happens, but what's the reliability factor?
You know, in aircraft maintenance,
they schedule things by hours,
and distance flown, and operation,
and everything's on a timeline, everything's on a chart,
and things get checked off.
And okay, sure, if the plane's at 20,000 feet
and has some sort of a component failure,
well, like that always said,
you can't get out and stand on the cloud
to adjust the carburetor and the prop plane,
so I'll be sure you're right before you take off.
But I just, I wonder how you look at maintenance.
You know, do you like doing it?
I don't think anybody does.
I don't think they, me personally, I like doing maintenance.
I like tweaking things and making things
run a little bit better, because I will.
Certain maintenance will make a vehicle run better.
We had a 2017 Acura this week
that had about 130,000 miles on it,
and the customer complaint was clunks on left turns
from a stop, mostly cold, and there was a hesitation,
not all the time, sometimes, going straight ahead.
And I drove the car, Danny drove the car,
and we went out together and drove the car,
and we couldn't experience it.
Had the customer come by, and yeah,
maybe I sort of felt this, the way the trans downshifted,
it had a little bit of a clunk to it.
It wasn't smooth, and this particular trans
is one of those ones that it's got, you know,
Honda DW1 fluid, and I've seen it,
they wear out the additive package,
they just, they lose their ability to shift
and operate properly, they lose their friction modifiers,
and they just wear out, and you change fluid.
Now, this particular trans also has the potential,
according to Acura Honda, that if it's a P0741
for torque converter circuit faults,
it may require, and chances are it will require,
a torque converter, they've extended the warranty
to eight years and 150,000 miles.
So they're telling you that, hey,
we've got a problem with these,
and we're trying to take care of it.
The other thing that occurred to us
when we were driving the Acura this week
was that backing up, like the rear end kind of jumped
a little bit, it held a little bit of a hop to it,
and you could feel something not locking up,
but almost binding back there for a moment when it was cold,
and we realized that this is dual pump fluid,
this is a DPS system where Honda calls for the rear end
fluid to be changed on a regular scheduled mile basis.
And guess how many times in 130,000 miles
this Acura had the fluid serviced in the rear?
Right, zero, so new customer drops.
So I sat down with her and I explained everything,
I walked her through it, the ifs and the whys
and the hows and the scenarios,
and yeah, go ahead, fix it, do it all, and we did,
and it was a nice job and a nice customer,
we put a car back together, and here's a case
where after the fuel system cleaning,
after the trans service, after the diff service in the back,
we kind of did make a difference in how that car ran,
it ran smoother, there was a silkiness to it,
which had since gone away, and I was happy to see that
because frankly, between the tires, the brakes,
and all the fluids and maintenance, it was four grand,
and we spent a lot of money, but we put the car back
to where it was supposed to be,
and is that what you're looking for?
Are you looking for that moment that you get in the car
and you go, wow, it's great?
I don't know that you can get that every time.
I think maintenance is just a necessary evil,
it's part of vehicle ownership.
Some vehicles, because of manufacturer design,
will respond to fluid replacement,
will respond better to fuel system cleaning,
but a lot of what maintenance is is just that, maintenance.
You're changing the filter because, well hey,
it's got this number of miles on it,
it's kind of clogged.
You're doing a fuel system cleaning
because we've come to learn that in 60,000 miles
to do a fuel system cleaning,
clean the back of the valves, the top of the pistons,
it's a good maintenance to do.
It's sort of like when you turn 60
and you go for your first medical procedure,
which I won't say here on radio,
and sometimes it's the right thing to do
because you need to do it.
You're at that age.
Maintenance is a tough sell.
I'd like to get your thoughts on it.
If you have any and you can either give me a call here
at 855-609-900 or feel free, drop me a line,
we're on at cardoctorshow.com.
I think it's become part of what the automobile is.
And I think if you're planning to keep that car
seven, eight years, nine years,
drive it to 150, 200,000 miles.
Yeah, I think you got to do it.
I think maintenance is something you need to be aware of.
I think I blew everybody's mind last week, by the way.
I just want to comment on this.
I got a lot of email from everybody saying,
Ron, you're crazy.
There's no way cars can go 500,000 miles.
I don't know, I think they can.
I think today's car is designed to go the distance.
If the frame doesn't rot, if the subframe, the floor,
if the body stays in good shape, keep washing the car.
Do your fluids, do your maintenance?
I don't know if the car got to 500,000 miles,
could you look at the maintenance that was done?
If it was done properly and say that it was worth the money?
I do, I know what a new car cost.
Shall we talk about my former car,
which went 400,000 before the frame rotted?
Right, Tom had a refresh my memory, Tom, it was a.
2015 Ford Escape.
Right, 15 Escape.
The car legitimately had 300 and it just shy of 400,000 miles.
And the frame brought it out.
But in all fairness to the car,
Tom drives through some pretty rough country,
all kinds of weather.
He's going out to transmitter sites.
He's all over the Northeast, up and down the seaboard.
And he's always in a harsh environment.
But that car went 400,000 miles with very little maintenance.
And a lot of that can be attributed
to the fact of Tom's highway driving.
Tom does a lot of highway.
Tom gets out on the road, he stays at one temperature.
He's doing 75, 80 miles an hour, zipping all over the place.
And you know what?
We should address that too.
Environment and how you drive will predicate
how many miles you get out of that vehicle.
But the topic today is maintenance.
Maintenance, is it worth it?
I think so.
Prove me wrong.
855-560-9900, run and eating the car doctor.
I'll be back right after this.
This is Carissa Thompson from Calm Down with Aaron and Carissa.
Remember when buying a car was like a whole day affair.
And if we're being honest, a whole weekend or a month or ridiculous.
And that's not even counting all those hundreds of hours spent
researching models, comparing prices,
asking your sister's co-workers for recommendations
on family-friendly EVs, enough.
Now Amazon's making it easy.
At Amazon Autos, you can shop for a new, used,
or certified pre-owned car, whenever, wherever.
You can browse hundreds of real listings
from top vetted local dealers all in one place
during whatever it is you're already doing.
You can also apply for personalized financing,
add optional protection products and services,
and even determine your trade and value
all with transparent pricing.
That's right, no negotiating necessary.
Who doesn't love that?
Then, once you've picked out the right car for you,
head to your chosen dealership to test drive,
wrap up final paperwork, and drive home happy.
Go to amazon.com slash autos to start car shopping today
and get back to your busy life.
That's amazon.com slash autos.
Amazon Autos, car shopping, that clicks.
This is Tanya Rad from Scrubbing In
with Beckatillian Tanya Rad.
AirTasker is the platform that helps people get anything done.
Furniture assembly, cleaning, errands, repairs, organizing.
Even the odd, can someone please deal with this job?
And during the holidays, AirTasker is a lifesaver.
Think holiday lights, gift wrapping,
last minute toy builds, or someone to wait in line
for those viral cookie drops.
You can book a Tasker for anything you can think of.
Gingerbread mansions, elf drop-ins for kids,
full holiday photo setups,
or a backyard turned into a winter wonderland.
But it's just as useful year-round.
Moving help, yard work, decluttering, pet care,
tutoring, event help, anything.
Here's how it works.
Just go on AirTasker, describe what you need,
set a budget, and choose the best Tasker for the job.
Holiday season or everyday life.
AirTasker, get anything done.
Download the AirTasker app or go to airtasker.com.
If you're not properly maintaining them,
there's that maintenance word again.
I guess maintenance does pay.
It comes up a lot.
And you'll have that to look forward to.
That's up on our YouTube channel.
And if you do like what you see,
please like our videos, tell your friends,
tell your neighbors.
We appreciate it.
The more support we get, the more we can do.
The further we can go and be here for you guys.
So it's important.
Spread the word.
Let's go over and talk to Donna.
Oh.
Oh.
My Kia.
Donna.
My Kia.
How can I help you today?
Hi.
Thanks for taking my call.
You're welcome.
I got a new car.
And as far as the computers now,
all these fancy new features,
one of them is, well, it's not so new,
but the auto starts up.
And I was using it.
My husband said, and I said, I said,
I had looked it up and it can save gas.
And my husband says, yeah,
but it's going to kill your battery and your starter
because the world of frequent starts and stops.
But the internet said they make the batteries
and the starters to handle it.
So it could save gas under certain driving conditions.
But the question is, is it actually benefited
or could it be detrimental to your battery and your starter?
Somebody's convinced that it's a benefit.
I'm not.
Yeah.
All right.
I'm not.
All right.
And part of the reason is go look up the replacement cost
of a vehicle that has stopped start.
Go look up the replacement cost of the starter.
Holy, holy, shmoly.
It could be three times the price of a regular starter.
That's number one.
Number two, I'm not comfortable.
When the car is new, everything is great.
But as that car ages, you know, it gets to be five,
six years old, six, seven years old.
Electrical system maintenance is going to be very critical.
And, you know, replacing that battery
on a regular scheduled timeframe.
I don't think there's, I don't think there's any cheating
in a start-stop vehicle.
I think you have to replace that regular battery.
And there's always an, there's usually an auxiliary battery
that's involved.
So now when you're doing a battery, you're doing two batteries.
So your cost goes up, your cost of ownership goes up.
Are we saving gasoline?
Are we cleaning up the air?
You know, I'll tell you this.
I think that we could clean up the air better
if we were more consistent.
I don't understand.
I'm going to get on my soapbox for a minute, Don.
I don't mean to hijack the question.
You know, I don't understand why New Jersey's emissions program
is different than New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland.
You know, we're all doing the plug-in for clean air thing,
but there's different tolerance levels.
There's different perspectives and forget safety.
New Jersey is the most unsafe state in the union
when it comes to lack of inspection procedure.
But I don't know that we're all trying to do the same thing.
And as far as I know, the air from New Jersey blows into
Pennsylvania and vice versa.
And I see other states with better inspection programs
than what we have.
We need to be more consistent.
We also need to be more realistic.
Some of these cars going down the road with blue smoke coming
out the tailpipe and some of these older trucks, you know,
all of that's the reason why we've still got some dirty air
going on.
And I get it.
They're going to say, well, you can't clean up everybody's car
because people can't afford to fix it because they can't afford
a car.
How would they get to work?
And, you know, the ills of society, all of a sudden,
we've got all these things on the back of our mind.
But as far as stop, start, and you and I have to pay for that,
I don't know that it's an advantage.
Nobody really showed me any calculations based on how many
of them are out there that it, you know, it actually works.
You know, but it does.
And my last thing is, you know, and I think you'll probably agree
with me.
You're a woman, right?
You're driving along.
You're out 11, 12 o'clock at night and the car shuts off
and you're maybe not in the best place.
Don't you kind of hope it restarts?
Yeah, that's, it always startles me when it does that.
And I actually not comfortable with it.
So, you know, I have been, I listened to my husband and I had
been turning it off, but I was still on the fence about it.
Now, you know, continue to turn it off.
You may find, and I don't know that this works on every car,
but I've been in some stop, start cars.
If you want to defeat the stop, start.
Try putting the car in neutral.
You know, just put your, hold your foot on the brake.
Just nudge the shifter into neutral.
I bet you stop, start doesn't work.
I've seen that.
I've seen that more often than not.
It has a button.
Well, do that.
Yeah, then do that.
All right.
And next time I'm not going to get it, but you know, they put
these features on and then it's hard to not get them.
Yeah, I don't think, I don't think you have a choice.
I think, you know, a lot of cars today stop, start.
If it's there, it's there.
I don't think it's a, it's an option.
It may change with different, you know, features, engine
packages, transmissions and so on, but I think it's something
that you just have.
Listen, the new Chevy Colorado's got stop, start.
It's, it's holding me back from buying one.
I'm just, I'm just not a fan.
I just, I'm just not a fan and not just the cost of replacing
that starter when and if it goes bad, but just the inconvenience
and the annoyance.
I, I want a good experience driving a car and I don't like
something that shuts off like that.
When it's new, it's great.
But when it's five years old and I tend to keep a car,
my suburban's 22 years old, you know, you know, what's,
what's that factor going to be?
So, all right.
Well, thank you.
You've made me, you've helped me make up my mind on what to do.
Glad.
Thank you so much and enjoy your new car anyway.
All right.
Thanks.
You're very welcome.
You're welcome.
Bye bye.
Yeah.
And you wonder, I don't know, not a fan of stop, start.
And then, you know, how does that tie into, and we should talk
about this, you and I, you know, I wonder what towing is like
in other parts of the country.
We ran into that this week that where there used to be about
seven different towing operations around us, around the shop
in North Jersey is now down to two.
Where have all the tow trucks gone?
And why?
That's another conversation we have to have.
I'm Ron Nanny in the car doctor.
I'll be back right after this.
This is Carissa Thompson from Calm Down with Aaron and Carissa.
Remember when buying a car was like a whole day affair.
And if we're being honest a whole weekend or a month or a ridiculous.
And that's not even counting all those hundreds of hours spent
researching models, comparing prices, asking your sister's
coworkers for recommendations on family-friendly EVs.
Enough.
Now Amazon's making it easy.
At Amazon Autos, you can shop for a new used or certified
pre-owned car whenever, wherever.
You can browse hundreds of real listings from top vetted local dealers
all in one place during whatever it is you're already doing.
You can also apply for personalized financing,
add optional protection products and services,
and even determine your trade and value all with transparent pricing.
That's right.
No negotiating necessary.
Who doesn't love that?
Then once you've picked out the right car for you,
head to your chosen dealership to test drive, wrap up final paperwork
and drive home happy.
Go to Amazon.com slash autos to start car shopping today
and get back to your busy life.
That's Amazon.com slash autos.
Amazon autos, car shopping, that clicks.
This is Tanya Rad from Scrubbing In with Beckatillian Tanya Rad.
Airtasker is the platform that helps people get anything done.
Furniture assembly, cleaning, errands, repairs, organizing.
Even the odd, can someone please deal with this job?
And during the holidays, Airtasker is a lifesaver.
Think holiday lights, gift wrapping, last-minute toy builds,
or someone to wait in line for those viral cookie drops.
You can book a tasker for anything you can think of.
Gingerbread mansions, elf drop-ins for kids,
full holiday photo setups,
or a backyard turned into a winter wonderland.
But it's just as useful year-round.
Moving help, yard work, decluttering, pet care, tutoring, event help, anything.
Here's how it works.
Just go on Airtasker, describe what you need, set a budget,
and choose the best tasker for the job.
Holiday season or everyday life.
Airtasker, get anything done.
Download the Airtasker app or go to Airtasker.com.
Introducing Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business.
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it's the business card that gives back all you put in.
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Yeah, he's a car doctor.
Car advice done right.
You've been busy. What the heck was that?
That is a gift from our,
well, from the operations manager at our affiliate in Watertown, New York, WATN.
He plays with AI.
There's not a human on that jingle.
I think we should incorporate that into some of our breaks.
I think we should too.
I think we should.
That's why there'll be another one next hour.
I think we should put that into the podcast.
Why not?
And then we don't have the music issues.
Great.
If you've noticed it.
Isn't it great?
Yeah.
You always amazed me, Tom Ray.
Let me go talk to Bob.
Don't thank me.
Thank Ken Martin.
Ken Martin of Watertown, New York.
So thank you so much.
I appreciate it.
Wow.
I'm kind of humbled.
Gee whiz.
I think that's great.
Not because of what it says,
but I think that's really kind of neat.
We could have our own little theme song.
Next thing that,
we could have a television series.
Car Doctor Reality TV.
We should do that.
Just as an aside, Bob Maynham coming.
We should do that.
Right?
You had to see the shop yesterday.
All right.
Where Russell came up from North Carolina.
My buddy Russell came up.
Bob was there.
Danny, Kathy, me.
We're all trying to get out the door.
And people are picking up cars at the last minute.
And just all the,
it really was a cheers moment.
You know, when, you know,
Norm walks in and everybody walks in.
It's the conversational and cultural exchange
of what's going on.
I dread the day when auto repair shops,
the independent small shops are gone because it's,
there's something about that.
There's a super charged feeling
when you're walking out the door of a shop
at the end of the week and everybody's picking up their cars
and everything went right.
It just, you know,
and I looked at it and I said,
this would be a television moment.
I just don't know how to transport it to there.
But anyway, Bob and Mayn, I'm back.
Yes, sir.
How can I help you in your 12 Colorado?
Hi, thanks for taking the call.
Yeah.
Yeah, I've been, I've been having for the last year or so.
My, the service TPM system light stays on in my,
my truck and the low tire light too, of course.
Okay.
And the key fobs don't work,
but I've just basically been ignoring it because,
you know, I figured I just always check the tires like I've always done anyway.
The key fobs are annoying,
but they're expensive to get replaced.
Well, hold on now.
Did the key fobs stop working at the same time as the TPMS light coming on?
I think so.
I'm not a hundred percent sure.
The key fobs started to get weaker.
I mean, they both test okay.
I've had it tested in the battery.
I replaced the batteries in both of them.
They were getting,
you had to be practicing next to it to get it to work.
And then which seemed like the battery,
but then I changed the battery and no change.
Then they just stopped.
Right.
I think at the same time the service TPM light was on,
but I'm not a hundred percent sure.
It's been like I say a while.
Do you have, do you have recently,
I was just having some service and routine work done with my local mechanic,
an inspection and some differential oil change.
And I asked him about that to check the TPM systems in the tires.
He rotated the tires too.
And he found two bad ones.
So I had him replaced the two bad ones.
He said the other two were good,
but he couldn't get them with his tools,
couldn't get the message to go.
It would go off briefly, but then it would come back on
and the fobs didn't change.
They still don't work.
Right.
So that's sort of where I am at this point.
Any fault codes in the system?
Not that I know.
I don't think so.
No, I didn't mention any.
So the way I would approach this is
we're going to use two pieces of diagnostic equipment.
We're going to use a tire pressure sensor reader,
which is, you know,
when you walk around the car and you,
you actually read the signal off of each sensor,
record those serial numbers or identifier numbers,
and then plug in with a scan tool and GM,
they hold it in the body module,
go into the body module and look to see if the left front sensor is one,
two, three, four, five, six.
Does the scan tool recognize the left front sensor as one,
two, three, four, five, six.
That's not the same as one of those relearned tools, is it?
It might be.
All right.
It's got to have the ability to read the registration number of the sensor,
and does that registration ID that's on the sensor
match what is programmed into the vehicle?
I think he, I don't know if that's what my mechanic was using or not,
but...
Well, if he didn't do this...
He checked.
He had his tools, he was checking it,
plugged into where you normally plug in the scan.
Right.
But he's got to compare.
He's got to compare the data he gets there
with what he gets from the registration tool, we'll call it.
We'll use your term.
All right.
If the left front registration ID read by scan,
read by the tool, doesn't match what the scan tool says,
that's a problem.
Then we have to put the system in learn mode
and relearn all the sensors.
Now, before we go any further, all right,
there's more than a few bulletins out there.
One of them from General Motors is PI-1108-11018A,
if I remember right.
And they talk about problems with the key fobs,
limited range, reduced range, reduced operation.
And they talk about problems based on
if you have any aftermarket accessories plugged into cigarette lighters
or things in proximity of in the vehicle,
it will affect the key fobs on those vehicles.
It could be related to the TPMS system.
And I have had a few of the early Colorado's like that
or that generation Colorado where we had to put a body module in it.
The body module loses its base programming
and you can't fix it, you have to replace it.
That's how I was wondering.
Yeah, that could be.
But where we're going to get that is, like I said,
first thing I want to do is take my registration tool.
Sometimes it makes the horn beep as I go around and so forth.
I want to take my registration tool, read each sensor.
Do the sensor IDs that I collect match what the scan tool,
plugging in under the dash, I'll use your term,
plugging in under the dash, do the registration IDs match
what the BCM or the body computer has.
That's where I get that from plugging in under the dash.
If those sensor values match, then I'm going to compare tire pressure
because it will also show me tire pressure.
If the sensor in the left front tire shows me 36 PSI
and I measure it and it's got 36 PSI
and the scan tool reading shows me 25 PSI.
Maybe there's a BCM problem that it can't interpret the data
or the signal correctly.
Can I get the BCM to recognize all four sensors
and read the correct tire pressure?
That's the key you want to go after.
Does the position of the tires, like I said, we just rotated
but the problem existed before that.
He said in that model that he didn't think that Colorado
didn't identify each position of the tire necessarily.
The scan tool will still look at sensors 1, 2, 3, 4
but the dashboard does not give you unique values
telling you the left front's low, the right rear's low and so on.
It just says problem, correct?
You don't have the ability to identify
through the driver information center or the DIC.
Right, it just says system has a problem in it, etc.
You've got a problem either with a component or programming
and these are the first steps you're going to have to go through
in order to resolve it.
That tool you're talking about sounds like,
in the book for the vehicle, it has a whole process
to using a sensor-matching process it says
and it sounds like what you're talking about
and that's where I'm getting this term relearn tool.
I see online that you can get relearn tools
relatively cheap on $15.
I'm wondering if that would be useful for me to do and try.
Well, do you have the ability to plug into the OBD2 port
with a scan tool and look at the sensor values
that are on the body module?
I don't personally, I don't have a scan tool but I could.
I think I would ask my mechanic to do that
before we start putting a third hand in the pot.
The other thing is for the record,
when you rotate the tires, you should be relearning the values.
Right, that's what I asked him about.
I said, but he was, I thought he did that
but as I said, he didn't think that model vehicle identified.
No, but it won't identify it on the driver information
or identify it on the display.
I get you.
It won't identify it on the display
but it's going to identify it in the processor
and that's why you need to relearn it.
And number one, number two,
if you relearn it every time you rotate the tires,
you're going to prove that the system works
and functions as operational.
So do those things, Bob.
Call me back if you need more.
855-560-9900, Ron Aining, the car doctor.
We'll return right after this.
This is Carissa Thompson from Calm Down with Aaron and Carissa.
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Let's go to Tennessee and talk to Alex.
Alex, welcome to the car doctor, sir.
How can I help?
I'm doing well, Ron.
How are you doing today?
I'm cooking, man.
What's going on?
So I heard you talking about
the General Motors Bulletin
with the transmission issue
with torque converter shutter.
Right, 23 NA-072, yep.
I have a 2021 Buick Enclave Avener
with a 3.6.
I got the shutter,
started about 70,000 miles,
it went away after a fluid change.
Just a drain and fill,
and then it came back again
at about 12,530,000 miles
and the transmission was replaced.
And it fixed it?
Yeah, it's a new transmission now,
that's why.
Yeah, okay.
I had one of the aftermarket
warranty companies
and they did the replacement.
So doesn't it annoy you, Alex?
They tell you never to service anything,
don't do any maintenance,
don't do any repair,
and you have a major component fill
in the first 100,000 miles.
It's very annoying to consider
my father's a retired vice president
of General Motors.
Really?
Yeah, he worked for Pontiac for 30,
few years.
Does he have access to parts?
Wait, wait, wait, let's...
Does he have access to any of the warehouses?
Unfortunately, no.
No?
Unfortunately not.
He was part of what they call
the old General Motors.
Because he retired in 2002
and unfortunately,
after the bankruptcy and so on,
they look at him as the old guard.
It was very frustrating for him too,
knowing just like he talked about,
well, for the longest time,
these components lasted half a million miles.
Yeah, no, listen.
It's not wrong.
I remember the conversation.
I was going to GM training facilities
in the 80s and we were talking about
we were talking about transmissions.
Oh yeah.
And we were talking about how
they could take a turbo 400.
In 1968, the lifespan of a turbo 400
transmission was a quarter million miles.
Yeah, followed it.
And then within seven years,
they had re-engineered it down to 100,
100, 125,000 miles.
And it's just...
It's mind-boggling to me.
But your story with 23 NAO 72,
that bulletin, what that's telling me is
that just confirms what I've been saying
that fluid maintenance is still very critical
and still a big part of the process.
You know what, Alex?
I really love you for asking this question today.
You stay on the line.
Tom's going to get your information.
Tell him what size we're going to send.
Tell them both.
You and your dad, if you like.
We're going to send you guys
out a couple of car doctor t-shirts, all right?
I'll tell you, I was doing fluid changes
every 30,000 miles.
And you didn't have any problems?
A drain infill, drain infill, drain infill.
Right.
And at about 70, we started to get the shutter.
We did a drain infill, put some of the shutter stop,
a little tube of shutter stop in
and it went away for a while.
And it came back at about 120, 530
and it would not go away at all.
They can't make transmissions.
But fluid is everything.
So stay on the line, Alex.
If you like, we'll send you out a couple of t-shirts.
We appreciate the question, sir.
You be well and say hi to your dad.
Enjoy his retirement.
855-560-9900.
Run an eating in the car doctor.
We are back right after this.
This is Carissa Thompson from Calm Down
with Aaron and Carissa.
Remember when buying a car was like a whole day affair
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all with transparent pricing.
That's right.
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Who doesn't love that?
Then once you've picked out the right car for you,
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Go to amazon.com slash autos to start car shopping today
and get back to your busy life.
That's amazon.com slash autos.
Amazon Autos, car shopping, that clicks.
This is Tonya Rad from Scrubbing In
with Beckatillian Tonya Rad.
AirTasker is the platform that helps people get anything done.
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And during the holidays, it's a lifesaver.
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Year-round, it's perfect for moving help,
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I want to close here today.
I want to talk about tow trucks.
Topic comes up from time to time,
and I think it's...
I don't know, we never really talk about it.
What I've noticed is there are less tow trucks around the shop.
You know, there used to be a pile.
Now we're down to... there's two.
There's two tow services that are within proximity of the shop.
Everything else has gone AAA.
Everything else has gone to some kind of car service.
Everything else is tied into an insurance program of some kind.
And, you know, I guess if I was writing an article,
maybe the topic of this article would be why you need roadside service.
You need to be tied into a service plan for safety, for convenience.
Research Cathy brought this up because I asked her for her opinion
because she's always got a good one.
And she said, you know, Ron, you have to explain to everybody that if you...
Towing is expensive.
So there you are, you're stuck on the side of the road.
You... you're two kids, you're dog on Saturday afternoon, the groceries, the ice cream is melting,
and the car doesn't start and you got to get towed to the local garage.
A lot of the tow services, you know, if you're not with AAA
or some sort of organized tow program,
a lot of the tow services require cash or Venmo or some sort of payment plan.
It's not credit card or a check and you've got to have it.
A lot of them are cash.
So, you know, are you... are you set up like that?
Do you have that?
And Cathy said not a lot of people have $200, $300 in their wallet at all times.
You know, this is America today and I get it.
I think Cathy's right. I think she's spot on.
So, you know, holidays are coming.
Maybe we want to get everybody roadside.
Have some sort of roadside service, some sort of roadside assistant plan.
It doesn't guarantee anybody's going to get there quick
and it doesn't guarantee it's going to happen right away in terms of, you know, where you got to go.
But somebody will get there eventually and they should be reliable in most cases.
So, just my two cents, just an observation.
So, maybe, you know, how are the tow trucks in your neighborhood?
Do you have any where there are ones with some, now there's none?
Let me know.
I'm Ronan Amy in the car doctor till the next time.
Good mechanics are inexpensive. They're priceless.
See ya.
This is Tonya Rad from Scrubbing In with Beckatilli and Tonya Rad.
AirTasker is the platform that helps people get anything done.
Furniture assembly, cleaning, repairs, errands, organizing,
even those, can someone please handle this jobs?
And during the holidays, it's a lifesaver.
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even gingerbread houses, elf drop-ins or full holiday photo setups.
Year-round, it's perfect for moving help, yard work, decluttering, pet care, tutoring, event help, anything.
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About this episode
Ron Ananian dives deep into the importance of automotive maintenance, discussing why many car owners overlook it and the long-term benefits of staying on top of it. He shares personal anecdotes, including a case study of a 2017 Acura that required significant maintenance to resolve performance issues. The episode emphasizes the value of preventative care and how neglecting maintenance can lead to costly repairs down the line. Ron also engages with callers about specific vehicle issues, including the implications of stop-start technology and tire pressure monitoring systems.
Original notes
-
🧠Opening Thought: Most drivers undervalue maintenance because the car often feels the same afterward—until years later when reliability proves the payoff.
-
⛽ 100k vs. 200k (and 500k): Many cars can reach ~100k on oil changes alone; to reach 200k–500k, you need scheduled fluids, filters, and inspections.
-
🔋 Reliability Odds: Batteries past their rated life = rolling the dice. Aviation-style, time-based service intervals make sense for cars too.
-
🚗 Case Study—2017 Acura: Hesitation/clunk fixed by proper maintenance: ATF service (DW-1), rear diff dual-pump fluid, fuel-system cleaning; car drove noticeably smoother.
-
💡 Maintenance Reality: Some services improve drivability immediately; others are “insurance” that prevents failures later.
-
🌡️ Environment & Driving Style: Highway miles and climate dramatically affect longevity and service needs.
-
🛑 Auto Stop-Start: Theoretical fuel/air benefit vs. real-world costs (starters, dual batteries) and driver confidence—especially as vehicles age.
-
🛞 TPMS & Key Fobs (’12 Colorado): Relearn sensors after rotations; compare each sensor’s ID/pressure with BCM using a scan tool; watch for BCM or interference issues.
-
⚙️ GM Torque Converter Shudder: Fluid maintenance matters; sometimes requires converter/trans replacement even with regular service.
-
🚨 Towing Landscape: Fewer independent tow operators; have roadside assistance and a payment plan ready—tows are pricey and often cash/Venmo.
- Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com
-
Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes
-
Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel
-
Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900
-
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