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The Car Show with Dane Donovan - 2/7/2026

The Car Show with Dane Donovan - 2/7/2026

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About this episode

Dane Donovan tackles listener car questions with a focus on troubleshooting modern vehicle issues, particularly software glitches in newer models. A notable caller discusses a persistent stop-start problem with a 2018 Volvo, leading to a discussion on the complexities of automotive software and the challenges faced by repair shops. Dane also shares personal anecdotes and highlights his auto center's recent award for best service, while encouraging listeners to reach out with their car concerns.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Volvo XC60

"The Volvo XC60 has safety features that feel like an extension of your own. Like another set of eyes when you're changing lanes or backing out of the driveway."

The Volvo XC60 is a type of SUV that is designed to be safe and comfortable. It has special features that help drivers stay safe on the road, like sensors that assist when changing lanes.

Car

Nissan Quest

"...ecause you're staying at home and playing on spin quests. And there's never been a better time to sign up"

The Nissan Quest is a minivan that provides plenty of room for families and their belongings. It's often brought up when talking about good options for family travel.

Term

main battery

"...You did the auxiliary battery and the main battery..."

The main battery is the car's main power source. It starts the engine and powers everything else in the car while it's running.

Term

auxiliary battery

"...You did the auxiliary battery and the main battery..."

An auxiliary battery is like a backup battery for your car. It helps run things like lights and electronics when the car isn't running, so the main battery doesn't get drained.

Term

software issues

"...this software issue. More and more every day we see things like this with these newer cars and the software issues."

Software issues in cars are problems with the computer programs that help run different parts of the vehicle. These problems can make the car work poorly or not at all.

Brand

Mercedes

"...you've got to have different software. Mercedes, you've got to have different software."

Mercedes-Benz is a well-known car brand that makes luxury vehicles. They use advanced software to control many features in their cars.

Brand

Jaguar

"...BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover."

Jaguar is a luxury car brand from the UK that makes elegant cars. They use special software to manage different features in their vehicles.

Brand

BMW

"...BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover."

BMW is a popular car brand that makes sporty and luxury cars. They use advanced software to help run many parts of their vehicles.

Brand

GM

"all your Honda's, your Toyota's, your Ford's, your GM's, we can do BMW."

GM stands for General Motors, a big car company in the U.S. that makes cars under different names like Chevrolet and Cadillac.

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"... do BMW. But, you know, sometimes the Land Rover, Range Rover, Mercedes, sometimes those, they don't release th..."

The Land Rover Range Rover is a fancy SUV that can drive on tough terrains while still being very comfortable inside. People talk about it because it's seen as a status symbol and is great for both city driving and outdoor adventures.

Company

AC Delco

"Yes, I just wanted to, I called last week about my cobalt, and you told me to get AC Delco cam sensor."

AC Delco is a company that makes car parts, especially for General Motors vehicles. They are known for producing reliable replacement parts.

Car

Chevrolet Cobalt

"Yes, I just wanted to, I called last week about my cobalt, and you told me to get AC Delco cam sensor."

The Chevrolet Cobalt is a small car made by Chevrolet. It was sold from 2004 to 2010 and is known for being budget-friendly.

Part

cam sensor

"Yes, I just wanted to, I called last week about my cobalt, and you told me to get AC Delco cam sensor."

A cam sensor helps the car's computer know where the camshaft is positioned. This is important for the engine to run smoothly and efficiently.

Term

factory part

"...just spend the extra money and buy the factory part. I know it's more, but really when it comes to something like this..."

A factory part is a piece made by the same company that built your car. It's the original part that was designed to work perfectly with your vehicle.

Term

aftermarket sensors

"...it was just the aftermarket sensors just, you know, weren't working."

Aftermarket sensors are parts made by companies other than the car's manufacturer. They can sometimes be cheaper, but they might not work as well as the original parts that came with the car.

Part

aftermarket parts

"You know, and, and I'm not, you know, we put aftermarket parts on cars. But it depends on what you're doing, right?"

Aftermarket parts are car parts made by different companies than the ones that built your car. They can be used to improve or change your car's performance or appearance.

Part

OEM manufacturer

"But when you get into the electronics of the vehicle, especially timing parts, you really want to stick to the original, you know, the OEM manufacturer just because they're really, really finicky and you got to put the factory part in."

OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer. It's the company that made the original parts for your car. Using these parts is usually best for important repairs to make sure everything works well.

Part

mass airflow sensor

"...mass airflow sensors, that is the biggest racket out there. Mass air, mass airflow sensors will fail all the time in oxygen sensors."

A mass airflow sensor is a device that tells the engine how much air is coming in. If it breaks, the engine might not run well or could pollute more.

Part

oxygen sensor

"...in oxygen sensors. And people put aftermarket ones in and then they have the same code."

An oxygen sensor checks how much oxygen is in the car's exhaust. If it stops working, the car might use more gas and pollute more.

Term

code reader

"...give me a code reader for myself and that. And I bought one out of it."

A code reader is a tool that helps you find out what's wrong with your car by checking its computer for error codes. It's useful for figuring out car problems.

Term

PO 300

"...these cars will just flag up PO 300, which is a random cylinder misfire. And you're like, well, which one's misfiring?"

PO 300 is a code that shows there's a problem with the engine's cylinders misfiring, but it doesn't tell you which one. This can make fixing the issue a bit tricky.

Part

spark plugs

"replacing all the spark plugs and all the coils, which can cost a lot of money."

Spark plugs help start the engine by creating a small spark that ignites the fuel. They can wear out and need to be changed to keep the engine running well.

Part

ignition coils

"replacing all the spark plugs and all the coils, which can cost a lot of money."

Ignition coils help create the spark that starts the engine. If they fail, the engine may not start or run smoothly. They might need to be replaced along with spark plugs.

Company

Motorcraft

"product, it's Motorcraft, if it's a Honda, it's, it's Denso."

Motorcraft is a brand that makes parts for Ford cars. If you have a Ford, using Motorcraft parts is a good way to ensure they fit and work well.

Company

Denso

"And if it's Toyota, it's Denso."

Denso is a company that makes parts for many cars, especially Honda and Toyota. They are known for making reliable and high-quality automotive parts.

Term

95,000 mile service

"The gentleman brought his vehicle in for a 95,000 mile service."

A 95,000 mile service is a maintenance check for your car that happens when it reaches 95,000 miles. It usually involves changing the oil, checking the brakes, and making sure everything is working well.

Term

oil change

"It was just an oil change and kind of checked the car over, looked the car over and he goes, hey, when did I have my oil change last?"

An oil change is when you replace the old oil in your car's engine with new oil. This is important to keep the engine running smoothly and to avoid damage.

Term

10,000 miles

"well, I've been, my car says to change it every 10,000."

10,000 miles is a distance that some cars recommend for changing the oil. It's a way to keep the engine healthy and working well.

Term

oil pressure

"...those go bad because of lack of oil pressure and time and time again."

Oil pressure is how much force the oil has as it moves around the engine. Good oil pressure is important to keep the engine parts from wearing out.

Car

Ford Fusion

"...I have a 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid. It's got a 2.0 in it. And I changed the thermostat on it a couple of months ago..."

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a car that uses both gas and electricity to drive, which helps save fuel. The 2015 version has a 2.0-liter engine, meaning it's a bit larger than some smaller cars.

Car

Toyota Prius

"... hybrid battery on the vehicle goes bad. And on a Prius, it's over $5,000, right? So my thought in theory..."

The Toyota Prius is a car that uses both gas and electricity to help save on fuel costs and reduce pollution. It's often talked about because it's one of the first cars to be really good for the environment and can help you save money on gas.

Car

Volvo XC90

"...ender's what having it all tastes like. The Volvo XC90 is equipped with seven-seat versatility, Google b..."

The Volvo XC90 is a big, fancy SUV that focuses on keeping you safe and comfortable. It's talked about because it has a lot of space for passengers and comes with cool tech features.

Car

Honda Odyssey

"...w. How can I help? Oh, hi sir. I have an 07 Honda Odyssey approaching 269,000 miles. Wow, good for you. Gle..."

The Honda Odyssey is a family minivan that has lots of space for kids and their stuff. People like to talk about it because it's known for being reliable and comfortable for long trips.

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