The Car Show with Dane Donovan - 3/14/2026
About this episode
Dane Donovan fields Cincinnati car questions while juggling sports-fueled distractions, then dives into real-world fixes and maintenance advice. A customer’s 3–4-year-old car that sat for a month won’t start; Dane explains battery voltage issues in “computers on wheels,” AGM batteries, and why some battery replacements require dealer-level programming. Callers also cover a 2011 Toyota with no spark (module vs prom), whether to flush a 2023 Camaro 10-speed, and using Seafoam for oil consumption. Dane repeatedly stresses frequent oil checks/changes and warns against risky fuel/ECU modifications like E85 kits.
Dane Donovan takes your car questions. He shares a story about a customer's car that had been sitting for a month, and how he helped her get back on the road. Dane also discusses the importance of regular oil changes and the benefits of using seafoam to prevent engine issues. He also talks about the difference between older and newer cars, including the use of AGM batteries and the challenges of working with complex computer systems.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
jump pack
"I said, all right, well, I'll, you know, I said, I'm going to go, I'll go get my jump pack. I'll run down there. And she's like, you don't have to do that."
A jump pack is like a portable battery that helps you start a car when the battery is dead. You connect it to the battery and it gives the car enough power to crank.
A jump pack (portable battery booster) is a small device you can use to start a car with a dead battery without needing another vehicle. It provides a short burst of power to crank the engine.
car had been sitting for about a month
"And obviously, they were very, very appreciative and come to find out the car had been sitting for about a month, right? The car was, the car's three years old, four years old, technically."
When a car sits unused, the battery can slowly drain. Things like alarms and computers may still use a little power, so after a month the battery can be weak.
A car sitting for weeks can lead to battery discharge due to parasitic loads (like alarms, keyless entry, and control modules). Even if the battery is only a few years old, long inactivity can drop voltage enough to cause starting or electronics issues.
battery
"The car had been sitting for about a month, right? The car was, the car's three years old, four years old, technically. And again, the average life of a battery is three to four years, right?"
A car battery is what powers the electronics and helps start the engine. Batteries don’t last forever, so age matters when a car won’t behave normally.
The speaker is talking about the car’s battery as a maintenance item with a typical service life. They connect battery age to whether the car will start reliably.
modules and different computers
"So, you know, when these modules and computers don't get the proper voltage, they don't do what they're supposed to be doing because they're not getting the right voltage, right?"
Instead of one brain, the car has multiple computer modules that each handle different tasks. If the battery isn’t supplying enough power, those modules may not work correctly.
The speaker is referring to the network of electronic modules that control different functions in a modern car. These modules can be sensitive to low voltage, which can lead to faults or reduced functionality.
vehicle sitting drains batteries
"It just, they're like, well, it's been sitting for over a month. [296.0s] And I'm like, well, the battery test good... But, you know, she goes, Dane, should I replace it?"
If a car sits unused, the battery can slowly lose power. Sometimes it looks fine at first, but it can still be too weak to run everything reliably.
When a car sits, parasitic draws and self-discharge can reduce battery voltage over time. Even if a battery tests okay initially, it may fail shortly afterward if it’s already near the end of its usable life.
extreme cold and extreme heat strain batteries
"But, you know, again, going into the summer, you know, extreme cold and extreme heat will, it puts a massive strain on your batteries. [396.2s] Now, again, a lot of these newer cars have multiple batteries."
Very cold or very hot weather makes batteries weaker. That can cause starting problems or weird electrical behavior.
Temperature extremes accelerate battery chemistry aging and increase internal resistance. That makes batteries less able to deliver voltage/current, which can lead to slow cranking or electronics dropping out.
Mini Cooper
"I just put a battery in a Mini Cooper a couple of days ago and it was almost $500."
They’re talking about putting a new battery into a MINI Cooper. On some newer cars, the battery replacement isn’t just “swap it and go”—the car may need to be told the battery was changed.
The speaker mentions installing a battery in a MINI Cooper, highlighting that some MINI models use battery systems that require special procedures after replacement. This often ties into battery monitoring and charging calibration.
Donovan's Auto & Tire Center
"Hi, I'm Dane Donovan, third generation owner at Donovan's Auto & Tire Center. That's why at Donovan's, we give you everything you need and nothing you don't."
Donovan’s Auto & Tire Center is the local shop being promoted in the segment, positioned as an “honest expert service” provider. The mention also ties the show’s maintenance message to a real-world service option.
DonovanTire.com
"Three locations in Bluash, Pleasant Ridge and our new location near Xavier, Donovan's Auto Foreign. Find yours at DonovanTire.com."
The segment directs listeners to DonovanTire.com, which is presented as the place to find the shop’s services and locations. It’s a practical call-to-action for listeners who want local maintenance or tire work.
fuel pressure
"[742.6s] Will it start on ether? [745.3s] No. [746.3s] It won't start. [747.0s] It's got fuel pressure and smell gas."
Fuel pressure is how strongly the fuel system pushes gas to the engine. If the car cranks but won’t start, checking fuel pressure helps figure out if the engine is actually getting enough fuel.
Fuel pressure is the amount of pressure the fuel system provides to the engine. If a car won’t start, technicians check fuel pressure to determine whether the fuel pump, regulator, or fuel delivery system is working correctly.
spark
"It's not getting spark. I was going to say, do you have spark? So obviously you need fuel, you need spark."
Spark is what ignites the fuel in the engine. If there’s no spark, the engine won’t start even if the battery and fuel are okay.
Spark is the ignition event that lights the air-fuel mixture in the cylinders. If the engine is cranking but there’s no spark, the problem is in the ignition system (not the fuel system).
Chevrolet Camaro
"Well, anyway, I've got a 2023 Chevy Camaro LT1 with the 6.2 liter V8 and 10 speed automatic. And I've got a couple of questions."
That’s a 2023 Chevrolet Camaro, and “LT1” is a trim level that usually means it comes with a V8 setup. The details matter because different engines and transmissions can have different quirks.
The Chevrolet Camaro is a performance-focused muscle car, and the LT1 trim is tied to the naturally aspirated V8 configuration in many model years. In this context, the host is describing the specific car setup so the questions can relate to that engine and drivetrain.
CVTs
"All these cars have CVTs in them and so they don't have filters."
CVT means “continuously variable transmission.” It’s a type of gearbox that doesn’t shift like a normal automatic—it uses a system that can smoothly change the gear ratio.
CVT stands for continuously variable transmission. Unlike a traditional stepped automatic, it uses a belt/chain and pulleys to keep the engine in a more efficient RPM range, which changes how maintenance and wear patterns show up over time.
E85
"Now, my other question is, what would it take to run the car on E85? Because I've heard of E85 kits..."
E85 is a fuel blend made of about 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Converting a vehicle to run on E85 usually requires compatible fuel system components and an engine calibration (tuning) so the engine can handle the different fuel chemistry and energy content.
four inch lift
"Some people go out buy a brand new $100,000 truck and then do a four inch lift and tires and wheels and lights and all that."
A four-inch lift raises the truck higher off the ground. That can affect how the truck handles and can lead to extra wear or problems if it isn’t set up correctly.
A “four inch lift” raises a truck’s ride height by about four inches, typically via suspension components. Lifts can change driveline angles, steering geometry, and tire wear, and they often require additional supporting changes to avoid future issues.
direct injection engine
"...because it's a direct injection engine and all that jazz."
Direct injection means the engine squirts fuel straight into the cylinders. Because of how it’s set up, it can be more sensitive to using the right fuel so it runs smoothly.
A direct injection engine sprays fuel directly into the combustion chamber instead of into the intake. This design can be more sensitive to fuel quality and calibration, and it’s often paired with specific octane recommendations to prevent knock.
2015 Hyundai Tucson
"[1434.2s] Car. There we go. [1436.5s] I have a 2015 Hyundai Tucson. [1440.1s] And I know a while back I was listening to you were talking about having C foam because they burn oil."
This is a Hyundai Tucson SUV from 2015. The caller is bringing it up because they think it may be related to an engine that burns oil.
The Hyundai Tucson is a compact SUV, and the 2015 model is part of Hyundai’s Tucson lineup from the mid-2010s. In this segment, the caller mentions their specific Tucson year to connect it to an oil-burning issue they heard about.
Lucas oils
"...some of these products like, you know, Lucas oils has an additive too, where it's like, hey, if you put four quarts in, use a quarter of the bottle."
Lucas Oil is a company that makes oil additives. They’re mentioning it because some additives tell you exactly how much to use depending on how much oil your engine holds.
Lucas Oil is an aftermarket lubricant and additive brand. The speaker uses it as an example of how some additives are dosed based on the engine’s oil capacity (e.g., quarts in vs. bottle fraction).
oil change
"Now, let me ask you something. How often are you... how often are you typically changing your oil? [1573.0s] Mileage wise."
Oil changes are when you replace the engine oil (and often the filter) so the engine stays clean and protected. If you wait too long, the oil gets dirty and doesn’t protect as well.
An oil change is the scheduled replacement of engine oil (and usually the oil filter) to remove contaminants and replenish the oil’s protective additives. How often you change it matters because old oil can lose viscosity and detergency, increasing wear risk.
engine oil vs fuel additive (oil-specific vs gas-specific)
"Do they make one specifically for oil or is it just all a gas additive? [1603.4s] Or are they all the same? [1604.2s] No, they make one for oil and then they make one for gas."
Not all additives are interchangeable. Some are made to go into the engine oil, and others are made to go into the gas—using the wrong type won’t help the same way.
The segment highlights a key distinction: some additives are formulated for engine oil, while others are formulated for gasoline. Oil additives are meant to work in the crankcase environment, while fuel additives are designed to treat deposits and combustion-related issues in the fuel system.
two cycle oil
"I use it on my two cycle and usually, two cycle oil goes bad very quickly in the summer [1621.0s] and I'll get a tank like a two gallon gas can."
Two-cycle oil is used in small engines that mix oil with the fuel. The oil can break down faster in hot weather, so it’s important to use fresh fuel/oil mix.
Two-cycle oil is a special lubricant used in two-stroke engines, where oil is mixed with fuel (instead of being stored in a separate crankcase like most four-strokes). The speaker notes that two-cycle oil can degrade faster in summer, which affects lubrication and combustion cleanliness.
change your oil
"Bad. Protect your investment. Change your oil. Or at least check it regularly and making sure that it's full."
Oil in your engine gets dirty and loses its ability to lubricate over time. Changing it regularly helps the engine stay healthy and run smoothly.
Regular oil changes keep engine oil clean and properly lubricating internal parts. Over time, oil breaks down and collects contaminants, which can accelerate wear and reduce engine efficiency.
carbon and soot
"the rings itself has holes in it, and they get built up with carbon and soot. And then that's what allows the... Doesn't allow the rings to do their job."
Carbon and soot are leftovers from burning fuel. Over time they can build up inside the engine and cause problems like reduced sealing.
Carbon and soot are combustion byproducts that can deposit on internal engine surfaces. Buildup can interfere with ring movement and sealing, contributing to poor compression and increased oil consumption.
absorbent glass mat
"Um, that stands for, uh, absorbent glass mat and they separate the, the electrolyte is actually in a fiberglass, um, like a sponge."
It’s the special material inside an AGM battery that holds the battery fluid in place. That’s what helps the battery stay sealed and more flexible to mount.
Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) is the internal fiberglass “sponge” that holds the electrolyte in place. This construction reduces electrolyte sloshing, helps the battery stay sealed, and supports different mounting positions.
mount them on their sides
"So they're, they're sealed and you can, you can mount them on their sides and because of the way they're constructed..."
AGM batteries can often be installed sideways because the fluid inside is held in place. That reduces the risk of spills compared to older battery types.
The ability to mount AGM batteries on their sides is a practical advantage of the AGM construction. Because the electrolyte is immobilized in the glass mat, the battery is less prone to sloshing compared with older flooded designs.
distilled water
"...we would, you know, pop those caps off and you'd put that, you know, distilled water..."
Some older car batteries need occasional topping off with distilled water. AGM batteries usually don’t, because they’re sealed and don’t have caps you remove.
Distilled water is used to top off certain older “flooded” lead-acid batteries where electrolyte levels can drop over time. AGM batteries typically don’t require this kind of maintenance because they’re sealed.
original flooded cell batteries
"...what would happen on the original flooded cell batteries of the water would evaporate, you know, you have to add more water."
Older car batteries had liquid you sometimes had to refill. If you didn’t add water, the battery could wear out faster.
Original flooded lead-acid batteries are the older style that require periodic water top-ups because charging can cause water evaporation. If the electrolyte level drops, battery performance and lifespan can suffer.
drain plug
"...a lot of the times when we have done that because I went on seal transmission again, it does have a drain plug, but you can, you can reef, you know, you have to have"
A drain plug is a bolt you can remove to let fluid out for service. If a transmission has one, it usually means you can change the fluid more easily.
A drain plug is a service feature that allows fluid to be drained from a transmission or differential for maintenance. Even if a transmission is marketed as “sealed,” the presence of a drain plug suggests fluid service may still be possible.
RV
"I said, I have an RV and I said, you need to have a disconnect. He went through three batteries."
An RV is a home-on-wheels. Because it can sit for a while, people often use a power disconnect so the batteries don’t slowly die.
An RV is a recreational vehicle that often has different electrical needs than a typical car, including battery storage and long periods of inactivity. Owners commonly use battery disconnects or switches to prevent battery drain while parked.
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