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THE Car Show with Dane Donovan - 11/1/2025

THE Car Show with Dane Donovan - 11/1/2025

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About this episode

Dane Donovan dives into a variety of car-related topics, answering listener questions about vehicle maintenance and troubleshooting. A notable discussion revolves around battery management for cars that sit idle for extended periods, particularly for a listener's Cadillac DTS in Florida. The episode also touches on tire pressure monitoring systems, the importance of checking fuses for dashboard lights, and the significance of regular vehicle use to prevent issues. With a mix of humor and practical advice, Dane shares insights from his experience in auto repair.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Cadillac Dts

"Hi, I'm calling because I have a 2009 Cadillac DTS. It's got a North Star V8 engine in it."

The Cadillac DTS is a big, comfortable car made for luxury driving. It was made from 2006 to 2011 and is known for having a lot of room inside.

Part

North Star V8 engine

"It's got a North Star V8 engine in it."

The North Star V8 engine is a powerful engine made by Cadillac. It is designed to run smoothly and is used in some of their luxury cars.

Term

trickle charger

"So I'm wondering if battery tender versus trickle charger and which battery tender and should I put an additive or something into the gas tank..."

A trickle charger is a device that slowly charges your car battery. It's safe to leave it plugged in for a long time without hurting the battery.

Term

battery tender

"So I'm wondering if battery tender versus trickle charger and which battery tender and should I put an additive or something into the gas tank..."

A battery tender is a tool that keeps your car battery charged when you're not using the car often. It makes sure the battery doesn't run out of power.

Car

Dodge Charger

"So I'm wondering if battery tender versus trickle charger and which battery tender and should I put an addi..."

The Dodge Charger is a big car that looks really cool and can go fast. It's popular because it has a lot of space inside and is fun to drive, making it great for both families and car lovers.

Term

additive

"...should I put an additive or something into the gas tank and also this battery tender..."

An additive is something you can mix into your car's fuel to help it run better or to protect the engine. They can clean parts or keep the fuel fresh.

Term

oil pan gasket

"...the gaskets, your oil pan gasket, your valve cover gasket, your seals or whatnot, from sitting they harden, right?"

An oil pan gasket is a part that helps keep the engine oil inside the engine. If it gets old or dry, it can start to leak oil, which is not good for the car.

Term

valve cover gasket

"...the gaskets, your oil pan gasket, your valve cover gasket, your seals or whatnot, from sitting they harden, right?"

The valve cover gasket is a seal on the top of the engine that keeps oil from leaking out. If it gets old, it can crack and cause leaks.

Car

Audi 100

"...nce art in a setting as stunning as the show. For 100 years, the Elsinore has attracted audiences from ..."

The Audi 100 is a fancy car that was made a long time ago and is known for being comfortable and well-built. It helped Audi become a popular brand for people who want nice cars.

Term

battery testing

"...you need to start thinking about getting the battery tested, getting the car ready for winter,..."

Battery testing means checking if your car's battery is still good and can start the car, especially when it's cold outside. Cold weather can make batteries weaker, so it's important to check them before winter.

Term

brakes

"So this gentleman said, hey, I lost my braking. I didn't have any braking and I didn't have it till I got down to the street about a block and then I had perfectly, my brakes were fine. I was good to go, but I brought it back because something's wrong with my brakes."

Brakes are what help you stop your car. If they aren't working properly, it can be very dangerous. Sometimes they might feel like they aren't working, but then start working again, which can be confusing.

Part

tires

"...the gentleman had perfectly good tires, perfectly good brakes..."

Tires are the round rubber parts on a car that touch the road. They help the car grip the road so it doesn't slip or slide, especially when it's wet.

Term

frame rusted out

"Yeah, you know, the frame rusted out, well, so the body, but the frame is real bad."

If the frame of a car rusts, it can become weak and unsafe. This is a serious issue that might mean the car needs a lot of work or could be too dangerous to drive.

Car

Mazda Rx7

"...although it's pristine, RX-7, and I did the worst thing that you can do based on what you said to that lady at the top of the show."

The Mazda RX-7 is a sports car that uses a special type of engine called a rotary engine. It's known for being fun to drive and has many fans because of its unique features.

Term

rotary engine

"It's 91, but it's a rotary engine. I'm sorry. Is that rotary engine? Yes, it is."

A rotary engine is a special kind of engine that uses a spinning shape instead of the usual pistons. This makes it lighter and allows it to rev up quickly, which is different from most car engines.

Part

spark plugs

"...we'd have to pull the spark plugs out, run transmission fluid into into the spark plug tubes and it would smoke like crazy and we would..."

Spark plugs are small parts in a car's engine that help start the engine by creating a spark. If they get old or dirty, the engine might not start properly.

Term

brake fluid

"...get all the fluids changed, you know, the oil, the or the, you know, the brake fluid, the coolant,..."

Brake fluid helps your car's brakes work. When you press the brake pedal, it sends this fluid to the brakes to make the car stop.

Term

coolant

"...the brake fluid, the coolant, the the fuel,..."

Coolant is a liquid that keeps your car's engine from getting too hot. It helps cool down the engine while it runs.

Term

old gas

"...you're going to have to get that that old gas out of there, too, which can be."

Old gas is fuel that has been in your car's tank for too long. It can go bad and make your car hard to start or run poorly.

Term

fuel

"...get that that old gas out of there, too, which can be. I think Mazda usually has they have a cutout..."

Fuel is what your car needs to run. It's usually gasoline or diesel that helps the engine work.

Part

gaskets

"...when the car sits like that, those gaskets, man, they harden up so it won't be right away. But typically you start within probably if you if you start driving it..."

Gaskets are like rubber seals that keep fluids from leaking out of the engine. If a car sits for a long time, these seals can become hard and stop working properly, which can cause leaks.

Car

Toyota MR2

"...t's an 01 or 02. I can't remember 01 or 02 Toyota MR2 spider, which it's a, you know, it's a mid engine..."

The Toyota MR2 is a small sports car that has its engine in the middle, which helps it handle really well when you drive it. It's known for being fun to drive and is a great choice if you want something sporty and unique.

Term

bleeder screws

"...we open up all four bleeder screws and, you know, and like I said, one of the four..."

Bleeder screws are little valves on your car's brakes that let air out when you're fixing the brakes. Getting rid of air helps the brakes work better and feel more responsive.

Term

gas tank

"...somehow I can get under there and grain the tank and refill it. Yeah. I mean, do you agree or not?"

The gas tank is where the fuel is kept in a car. Sometimes, you might need to get to it for repairs or to refill it manually.

Brand

Honda

"...most of your imports, your Honda's, your Toyota's, your Mazda's underneath the back seat."

Honda is a car company from Japan that makes many popular cars, known for being dependable and good on gas.

Car

Dodge Dakota

"I just got a 2010 Dodge Dakota. I got no lights on it except for the tire pressure center."

The Dodge Dakota is a type of truck made by Dodge. The 2010 version is known for being useful for both work and everyday driving.

Term

tire light

"When you start the vehicle, does that tire light ever flash? Or is it just come on and stays on solid? It flashes. OK, so great. So if it's flashing."

The tire light is a warning signal on your dashboard that tells you if there's a problem with your tires. If it flashes, it usually means there's a problem with the system that checks your tire pressure.

Term

tire pressure sensors

"...that tire light is flashing. That is indication that either one or multiple tire pressure sensors are not reporting back to the module..."

Tire pressure sensors are devices that check how much air is in your tires. If they stop working, your car might show a warning light, and you won't know if your tires are properly inflated.

Part

tire valve sensor

"Now, again, you know, every single one of your tire valve is basically it acts as an antenna and that's what sends a signal back to the module. Modules almost never go bad. It's usually just a battery indication."

Tire valve sensors are small devices attached to your tires that check the air pressure. If they stop working, you can't just change the battery; you have to replace the whole sensor.

Term

battery life

"...the right front has like 20 percent battery life left. It looks like that one's going out next."

Battery life is how long a battery can work before it needs to be charged or replaced. In cars, this is important for things like electric vehicles and sensors that help the car run.

Term

tire pressure monitoring system

"...who are listening is if you do have one of these vehicles that has a tire pressure monitoring system on it..."

A tire pressure monitoring system is a tool in cars that checks if the tires have enough air. If a tire is low on air, it lets you know so you can fix it before it causes problems.

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