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So Many Car Noises and So Many Repairs

So Many Car Noises and So Many Repairs

Under The Hood show Dec 24, 2025 52 min
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About this episode

Listeners are treated to a lively discussion about various car noises, repairs, and modifications. The hosts tackle listener questions, including concerns about a Tesla's self-drive update and a 2023 Mustang's cold air intake. They also delve into a 2009 Sonata's tire wear issues and the importance of proper alignment. The episode features insights on how to handle common automotive problems, emphasizing the significance of maintenance and the potential pitfalls of DIY repairs. With humor and expertise, the hosts provide valuable advice for car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Brand

Tesla

"We talked about the new was the fourth update for the Tesla self-drive mode with the Mad Max mode in it."

Tesla makes electric cars that can drive themselves and get software updates over the air.

Term

cold air intake

"In your case, if you have a totally stock vehicle that's working, running fine and you have a desire to put a cold air intake on it, that modification alone does not require any special programming or anything like that."

A cold air intake is a part you can add to your car that lets it breathe in cooler air from outside, which can make the engine feel a bit faster and sometimes give a little extra power.

Part

brake pads

"And I said, well, okay, that makes sense. But I took it to another place and had it checked out and they said that the first dealership that put new brake pads on it."

Brake pads are the parts that help your car stop. They get worn out and need to be changed.

Term

front brake bias

"Because the front brake bias is when you step on your brakes, you're going to get more braking pressure on your front wheels."

When you press the brake pedal, the car’s brakes try to stop it. Front brake bias means that most of that stopping power is sent to the front wheels, which helps keep the car stable and stops it faster.

Car

1993 Ford F-250

"But I got a 93 F-250-773-IDI. And over here in the great state of South Dakota is freezing."

A Ford F‑250 from 1993 is a big truck that people used for hauling and everyday driving. It’s still common on roads today.

Part

thermostat

"And the thermostat got stuck. We're changing it out."

The thermostat is a small part that helps keep the engine from getting too hot or too cold. If it gets stuck, the engine can overheat.

Part

gasket

"And we're putting in the... A new thermostat and a new gasket in last night."

A gasket is a thin seal that keeps the engine from leaking fluid. If it’s bad, coolant can escape and cause problems.

Part

O-ring

"so that there's an O-ring around the thermostat"

An O-ring is a round rubber piece that sits in a groove to stop liquid from leaking out. It’s like a tiny seal around the thermostat.

Car

Acadia

"Like Acadia, anything with a housing that somebody could possibly break."

The Acadia is a big SUV made by Ford. It’s good for families and has lots of room inside.

Term

diesel truck

"At first, I thought he was talking about the diesel truck"

A diesel truck is a big vehicle that runs on diesel fuel, which gives it strong pulling power and saves gas.

Part

hydraulic lifter

"It's almost like a hydraulic lifter's leading off pressure."

Think of it as a tiny oil‑powered cushion that keeps the engine’s valves moving smoothly. If it starts to slip, you’ll hear a clacking sound.

Term

manifold leaks

"It does have the manifold leaks, but this will click exactly four times every time it started cold."

If the part that directs air or exhaust gases in your car has a hole, it can let gas escape. This makes the engine run poorly and can lower power.

Term

exhaust leak

"That's not an exhaust leak. Different than the manifold leaks."

When the part that carries exhaust gases out of the engine has a hole, gas can escape. This makes your car louder and less efficient.

Company

Hot Shot Secret

"from our partner over at Hot Shot Secret."

Hot Shot Secret is a company that makes products you can add to your car’s engine oil or fuel to help fix certain noises or problems.

Part

lifter additive

"It's a lifter additive, a lifter fix for the tick."

A lifter additive is a special liquid you mix with your engine oil to help clean the parts that lift the valves, which can stop a ticking noise.

Part

lifter fix

"It's a lifter additive, a lifter fix for the tick."

A lifter fix is a product you add to your engine oil that helps stop the ticking noise from the parts that lift the valves.

Part

wheels

"Maybe your wheels leak air or maybe you want to upgrade from an old rusty steel wheel."

Wheels are the round parts that hold your tires and let your car roll. They can be made of steel, aluminum, or other materials.

Company

car-part.com

"[1436.0s] check out car-part.com. [1438.0s] It's fast and it's easy. [1440.0s] Over 200 million parts strong all across North America."

car-part.com is a website where you can buy car parts, like engines or wheels, from many different sellers all over North America.

Concept

design limit

"[1741.0s] They have a design limit. [1743.0s] And whatever that may be,"

Design limit means the point where a car part, like an engine, is built to last. It’s the maximum it can handle before it might break or need repair.

Part

wiper motor

"[1819.0s] Shannon had all these wiper motors. [1821.0s] Well, we've got a wiper motor."

The wiper motor is the small part that makes your car’s windshield wipers move. It turns electric power into the up‑and‑down motion you see when it rains.

Term

software recall

"until they can get it in and have a software recall done"

Sometimes cars have software glitches that can cause problems. A software recall means the manufacturer will update the car’s computer programs to fix those glitches, usually for free.

Part

battery separator

"and the separator in the battery. They call it something that they can sense by doing the electronic reading of the vehicle."

Inside a car battery, there's a tiny sheet that keeps the two sides from touching. If that sheet gets damaged, it can let electricity flow where it shouldn't and might cause a fire.

Part

liftgate module

"that have had problems with a liftgate module that shorts out and can start a fire."

The liftgate module is the tiny computer that tells your car’s rear door to open or close. If it malfunctions, it can spark and might start a fire.

Car

Tacoma truck

"[2191.0s] isn't it a coma, the Tacoma truck? [2195.0s] It was made from 1990. [2201.0s] It looks like it was made until October 2019."

The Tacoma is a popular pickup truck from Toyota that has been made for many years. It’s good for both everyday driving and off‑road adventures.

Car

2009 Sonata

"[2366.0s] I have a 2009 Sonata. [2368.0s] 260,000 miles."

The 2009 Sonata is a car made by Hyundai. It’s a family sedan that was sold in the U.S. from 2004 to 2010.

Term

center tread went bald

"He says the center of the tire went bald. The center of the tire is worse, yeah."

When the middle part of a tire’s tread becomes very smooth, it means that part has worn out more than the rest. This can make the car slippery and unsafe.

Concept

alignment

"So if you let ten pounds out of the right front tire, you align the vehicle, then you air that tire up. The car's not going to be lined up... I just put new tires on and got it aligned. When did you do the alignment?"

Alignment is when a mechanic checks and adjusts the angles of your car’s wheels so they point straight. It helps tires wear evenly, makes driving smoother, and saves fuel.

Brand

Subaru

"Is this an all-wheel drive? Yeah, it's a Subaru or it's this or that."

Subaru makes cars that usually have power sent to all four wheels, which helps with traction on slippery roads.

Term

all-wheel drive

"Is this an all-wheel drive? Yeah, it's a Subaru or it's this or that."

AWD means the car can send power to both the front and rear wheels at the same time, which helps it grip better on wet or uneven roads.

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