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THE Car Show with Dane Donovan 1/3/2026

THE Car Show with Dane Donovan 1/3/2026

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About this episode

Dane Donovan shares insights from his day-to-day experiences in the automotive world, including a personal story about a dead battery that highlights the importance of regular battery testing. He discusses the average lifespan of car batteries and the common issues that can arise unexpectedly. Exciting news is also revealed about the expansion of Donovan's auto repair business with a new location, enhancing service options for customers. The episode features engaging listener interactions, including discussions about vehicle maintenance and personal anecdotes from callers.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

battery

"...my car won't start, battery is dead as a doornail. And of course, we just bought the car maybe like six months ago..."

A battery in a car is like a big rechargeable battery that helps start the engine and run things like lights and radio. If it's dead, the car won't start at all.

Term

used car

"...but I mean, I did everything, I had it, it was used, it wasn't brand new, but I had it inspected..."

A used car is one that someone else has owned before you. It's usually cheaper than a new car, but you need to check it carefully to make sure it's still in good shape.

Term

vehicle inspection

"...I had it inspected and whatnot, or I shouldn't say I had it inspected, I inspected the vehicle..."

A vehicle inspection is when someone checks a car to make sure everything is working well and it's safe to drive. It's like a health check for cars.

Term

12 volts

"...the average battery's gotta be 12 volts."

Most car batteries need to have about 12 volts to work properly. If the voltage is too low, the car might not start.

Car

Jeep

"...my wife's car wouldn't start, so I had to take him to school, and he goes, well my Jeep wouldn't start, either my battery was dead, so..."

Jeep is a brand that makes tough vehicles, often used for off-roading. The specific type of Jeep isn't mentioned here.

Car

Ford Model 32

"...I had a battery in my 32 Ford and I didn't keep a tender on it or nothing, so it would sit from like October until April..."

The Ford Model 32 is a classic car from the early 1930s. It's loved by collectors and is known for its unique style and history.

Term

date code

"...they looked at the date code on, they said, you realize this battery is almost 15 years old?"

A date code is a number that shows when a battery was made. It helps you know how old the battery is and if it might need to be replaced soon.

Term

Motorcraft

"...the longest battery I've ever seen was a Motorcraft and it was in a Ford Ranger and it was 11 years old..."

Motorcraft is a brand that makes parts for cars, especially Ford cars. They are known for making reliable batteries and other car parts.

Car

Ford Ranger

"...it was in a Ford Ranger and it was 11 years old, but I've never heard a 14 years old..."

The Ford Ranger is a small truck made by Ford. It's known for being tough and useful for many different tasks.

Term

Exide batteries

"...I normally run Exide batteries and everything. The only reason I bought that was..."

Exide is a brand that makes batteries for cars. They are known for making batteries that work well and last a long time.

Car

F-250

"...I just had put batteries plural in my wife's F-250 that was four years old..."

The Ford F-250 is a big truck made by Ford that can carry heavy loads. It's often used for work and towing things like trailers.

Car

S-10

"...I just picked me up a brand new used S-10 four-wheel drive..."

The S-10 is a small pickup truck made by Chevrolet. It's useful for carrying things and is often used for work or personal projects.

Part

oxygen sensor

"...I had a code for the, for the, uh, bank one oxygen sensor..."

An oxygen sensor is a part of the car that checks how much oxygen is in the exhaust. It helps the engine run better and cleaner by making sure the right amount of fuel is used.

Term

four-wheel drive

"...I want to check, make sure the four-wheel drive is working and started up in the front drive shaft was spinning and then we hit the four-wheel drive..."

Four-wheel drive means that all four wheels of the vehicle can get power from the engine, which helps it drive better on rough or slippery surfaces.

Part

front differential

"...then it engaged the front differential and this has got that stupid push button four-wheel drive instead of a handle in the floor..."

The front differential helps the front wheels of the car turn at different speeds when going around corners, making it easier to drive.

Car

Chevrolet S10 Blazers

"...ucks. Wow. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. 19, between S10s and S10 Blazers, between me and my wife and my daughter, we've h..."

The Chevrolet S-10 Blazer is a smaller SUV that can carry people and gear, making it great for families or adventures. It was made for over 20 years, so many people have memories of driving them, and they are often talked about for their mix of style and usefulness.

Term

electric transfer case

"...on these, on the, the electric transfer case, is that front drive shaft supposed to spin all the time?"

An electric transfer case is a part of some trucks that helps them switch between using two wheels or four wheels for better traction. It can be controlled with a button instead of a lever.

Term

vacuum hubs

"...it uses vacuum and locks in the front hubs. Right. So, I didn't know if this S10 was the same way."

Vacuum hubs are parts in some trucks that help connect the front wheels to the engine when you need four-wheel drive. They use vacuum power to do this, making it easier to switch modes.

Part

vacuum system

"how they operate because it's got that stupid vacuum system and the vacuum system is, it's, the vacuum system itself is below the battery on the passenger side and sometimes."

A vacuum system helps certain parts of the car work by using air pressure. It's important for things like brakes and climate control in the car.

Part

vacuum lines

"But are there, are there vacuum lines going to that module at all? Yeah. It's just all, normal. That should how, that should be how it operates."

Vacuum lines are tubes that carry air pressure around the car to help different parts work. They are important for things like brakes and controlling emissions.

Term

transmission fluid

"there's some type of vacuum, you know, what do you want to call it? Vacuum bank or whatever that I, that sometimes will fill, fill up with transmission fluid and whatnot. It's below the"

Transmission fluid is a special liquid that helps the car's automatic transmission work properly. It keeps the parts cool and helps the car change gears smoothly.

Term

U joints

"...if that front drive shaft ain't supposed to be spinning, then that's put next to wear and tear on my front U joints. And probably using more gas as well."

U joints are parts that help connect different parts of a car's power system, allowing them to move together smoothly. They are important for making sure the car can drive properly, especially in four-wheel drive vehicles.

Car

Chevrolet Colorado

"...I had a 2015 Chevrolet Colorado. And you said to go talk to GM garage about updates..."

The Chevrolet Colorado is a type of truck that is smaller than full-size pickups but still offers good cargo space and towing capacity. The 2015 version has different engine options and is popular for both work and personal use.

Part

mass airflow sensor

"...it's related to the mass airflow sensor and what it does. Okay. What it does, the air coming across the mass air flow..."

The mass airflow sensor is a part that checks how much air is going into the engine. This helps the engine know how much fuel to use for the best performance.

Term

air-fuel mixture

"...it tells us that the engine is consuming more air at the time. And that's in shooting more fuel into the motor. Okay. Okay."

The air-fuel mixture is how much air and fuel are mixed together before going into the engine. Getting this mix right is important for the engine to run well and not pollute too much.

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