This Is America's Favorite Car Talk Show - Live Callers Getting Their Cars Fixed

The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup, and the 2018 model is known for using an engine system called AFM (Active Fuel Management) on certain V8 configurations. AFM can switch the engine between fewer cylinders and all cylinders, which is why owners often ask about AFM-related wear and whether disabling it helps.

An AFM delete is an aftermarket modification (often via an OBD-port device or tuning) that disables Active Fuel Management. The goal is to keep the engine operating in full-cylinder mode instead of switching between cylinder counts.

The OBD port is the On-Board Diagnostics connector used to communicate with a vehicle’s computer. Many AFM delete devices plug into this port to intercept or alter how the engine control module behaves.

Eight-cylinder mode means the engine stays in a configuration where all eight cylinders are firing. In AFM-equipped trucks, the system normally toggles between fewer cylinders and eight-cylinder operation to improve fuel economy.

A lifter (in this context, a camshaft-actuated valve lifter) is a component that transfers motion from the camshaft to the engine’s valve train. The discussion centers on lifter wear or failure, which can lead to metal damage and the need for engine work.

A lock pin is a small retaining component inside the lifter assembly that helps keep the lifter’s internal parts positioned correctly. The host describes a failure mode where the lock pin comes out, allowing the lifter to break apart.

An oil quality issue means the engine oil isn’t providing the intended lubrication properties, such as viscosity and additive performance. If oil protection is compromised, moving parts can experience more wear, especially under high load or pressure.

Solenoid valves are electrically controlled valves that move oil to actuators inside the engine. In AFM systems, they help route oil pressure to shut off lifters so the engine can disable cylinders.

“Partially open” describes a valve-train or actuator state that isn’t fully engaged or fully disengaged. The speaker argues that being stuck in an in-between state is worse than being fully on or fully off because it allows the lock pin to slide and wear out faster.

In this context, “disables it” refers to a modification or procedure that turns off a specific engine function once a problem starts showing up. The speaker suggests that disabling the system after it has begun leaking may defeat the original purpose of the design.

Regular maintenance is the routine schedule of inspections and service items (like fluids, filters, and scheduled checks) that keep a vehicle operating within design limits. The point in this segment is that consistent upkeep can prevent wear problems even as mileage increases.

Solenoids are electrically controlled valves used by many automatic transmissions and engine/boost control systems. When they wear out or stick, they can cause shifting problems, rough operation, or warning lights depending on the system.

Oil changes are scheduled replacements of engine oil to remove contaminants and replenish additives that protect internal engine parts. Changing oil more frequently than the manufacturer interval can reduce wear, especially if the vehicle is driven hard or in harsh conditions.

This is a reference to cylinder deactivation, where an engine temporarily shuts off some cylinders to save fuel. The “displacement changes” part means the engine effectively runs with fewer cylinders under light load, then returns to full-cylinder operation when more power is needed.

This describes how cylinder deactivation can vary which cylinders are used or shut off. “Random or not random” implies the system may rotate cylinder usage patterns to spread wear and reduce repeated stress on the same cylinders.

The host is pointing to a known reliability problem window for a specific generation of the cylinder-deactivation system, affecting model years “7 to 13.” In other words, earlier versions of the technology were more failure-prone, and later revisions reduced the issue.

“14 or newer LT series” appears to be the speaker’s shorthand for a later, updated generation of the engine/system family that controls cylinder deactivation. The key point is that this later LT-series update is described as an “updated version of the system,” implying fewer failures than the earlier 7–13 generation.

In this context, “defeat devices” are aftermarket modules or plugs that override or disable a factory system—here, the cylinder deactivation/AFM behavior—without fully repairing the underlying hardware. They’re often used to prevent the system from activating.

Active Fuel Management (AFM) is an engine technology used on some V8s where the car can deactivate cylinders under low demand to improve fuel economy. The key idea is that the engine control computer switches between cylinder-active and cylinder-deactivated operation based on driving conditions.

Start-stop mode is an engine feature that automatically shuts the engine off when the car is stopped (like at a light) and restarts it when you’re ready to move again. The goal is to reduce fuel use and emissions in stop-and-go traffic.

“Stop-start” (often written as start-stop) refers to the same system that turns the engine off at stops and restarts it when you move. In this segment, the hosts discuss how the car can be configured to disable it or change how it behaves.

This refers to a vehicle’s ability to retain driver-selected settings across power cycles (turning the car off and back on). The hosts are discussing how some cars keep the stop-start behavior and other modes the next time you start the vehicle.

“Toll hall mode” appears to be a user-configurable driving/engine behavior mode tied to the car’s settings. In the segment, it’s described as restarting in that mode after the vehicle is turned off, and as being recommended when a specific accessory is connected.

“Trader plugged in” likely refers to an accessory or module connection that changes the vehicle’s behavior. The hosts imply the car should detect the connected device and automatically switch to a specific mode (described as “toll hall mode”).

Auto start/stop is a system that automatically shuts the engine off when the vehicle is stopped and restarts it when you’re ready to move. It’s designed to reduce fuel use and emissions in stop-and-go driving, but some drivers prefer to disable it.

“Factory settings” means the vehicle’s original, manufacturer-programmed behavior—what the car does out of the box. In this case, the device is described as only remembering a button choice and not altering the truck’s underlying factory programming.

The Marquis refers to the Mercury Marquis, a full-size luxury sedan that was produced in earlier decades. In the podcast context, the host mentions a “22-year-old Mercury marquee” and replacing its air suspension components, which highlights a common maintenance topic for cars with air suspension systems. It’s discussed because air suspension can be expensive to repair and often becomes a focus as these cars age.

Air suspension uses air springs (instead of metal coils) to support the vehicle and maintain ride height. It typically relies on an air compressor, valves, and sensors, so failures can trigger warning lights and uneven ride behavior.

In this context, warning lights are dashboard alerts triggered by the suspension system (or related sensors) detecting a fault. The speaker is trying to prevent the warning light from coming on after changing the suspension hardware.

A bypass module is an aftermarket or custom electronic device used to “trick” or reroute signals so the car’s computer doesn’t detect a removed/changed component. In suspension conversions, it’s often used to prevent fault codes or warning lights.

This is a specific wiring reference the speaker uses to identify the correct circuit for their suspension-related workaround. Correct wire identification matters because cutting or tapping the wrong circuit can cause new faults or safety issues.

The glove box is being used as a reference point for accessing interior trim or wiring related to the suspension system. While it’s a common part, here it’s specifically tied to where the speaker has been working.

The trunk is where the speaker says their suspension switch is located, implying the suspension system has a user-controlled switch or service control. Location matters because it affects how the system is accessed and how wiring is routed.

The module is the electronic control unit that manages the suspension system and monitors sensor inputs. It decides whether to illuminate the warning light based on whether it sees expected electrical signals and physical movement.

Ride height sensors measure the car’s suspension height and send that information to the suspension control system. If the sensors aren’t connected or don’t report movement when commanded, the system can flag a fault and illuminate the warning light.

The compressor is the pump that pressurizes the air-suspension system so it can raise or lower the vehicle. If the compressor doesn’t create the expected load or the car doesn’t move, the module interprets that as a fault.

Pulling the fuse cuts power to the affected circuit, which can change how the suspension system reports faults. In the speaker’s explanation, turning the switch off and removing the fuse makes the system interpret the situation as shutdown rather than a malfunction.

A fuse is a safety device that breaks an electrical circuit if current is too high. The speaker describes pulling a fuse to remove power from a module, which then triggers a warning light because the car detects missing power.

Service mode is a diagnostic or maintenance state that lets the car’s systems behave differently so technicians can test or adjust components. In this context, it’s used to prevent the suspension from moving while the system is being evaluated.

The dash is the instrument panel area where the car displays warnings and status messages. The speaker references a message on the dash indicating the suspension power is off and that the system needs to be turned back on.

A service reminder is a timed warning the vehicle displays to prompt you to restore normal operation after a temporary diagnostic or disabled state. The transcript describes the car reminding the driver to turn the suspension power back on after a set number of minutes.

The instrument cluster is the dashboard panel that houses the driver’s gauges and displays, like the speedometer, tachometer, and warning lights. Cutting the wrong wire can affect the cluster’s ability to display information or communicate with other modules.

Modern cars use multiple electronic control units (ECUs) connected by vehicle networks so they can share signals. If you cut a wire that carries a network message, the car may lose the “missing signal” and trigger incorrect behavior, like warning lights.

An air spring is a suspension spring that uses compressed air instead of (or alongside) steel coil springs. In an air-suspension setup, the air spring helps support the vehicle and can maintain ride height as load changes.

Coil springs are steel springs that support the vehicle and absorb bumps. In some air-ride setups, coil springs may still be present to help keep the car level, while the air system fine-tunes ride height and motion.

Dampening (damping) is how a shock absorber controls suspension movement—specifically how quickly the suspension compresses and rebounds. Adjusting damping changes how “bouncy” or controlled the ride feels over bumps.

Leaking oil from shocks/struts is a common sign the damper is failing or losing its ability to control suspension movement. In suspension diagnostics, oil leakage is often treated as a key “inspect first” symptom.

The Lincoln Continental is a full-size luxury car line from Lincoln. In this segment, the host is describing a specific failure mode where the car sits too low and drags the ground, which points to suspension/ride-height issues.

“Air ride” refers to an air-suspension system that uses air springs to control ride height and comfort. When it fails, the car can sag and drag, which is why the caller and shop are discussing it as a known problem area.

Nitrogen charge shocks are dampers that use pressurized nitrogen gas to help control suspension movement. In this segment, the shop claims that these nitrogen-charged components are part of a different suspension approach, which is why they won’t do air-suspension work on those vehicles.

The Ford Ranger is a compact pickup truck, and this caller specifically mentions a 1996 model. In this segment, the truck’s issues are tied to fuel delivery (a fuel pump replacement) and hot-start behavior.

A fuel pump moves gasoline from the tank to the engine at the right pressure. When a fuel pump is failing, you can get hard starts, rough running, or other drivability problems—like the caller’s earlier issue that was resolved by replacement.

A “rough start” means the engine doesn’t start smoothly—often it stumbles or hesitates during ignition. Hot-start roughness can point to issues like fuel pressure/volume problems, vapor-related fuel delivery, or ignition/fuel mixture problems.

“Hot days” is relevant here because heat can worsen drivability issues, especially “hot starts.” When the engine bay and fuel system are heat-soaked, fuel can vaporize more easily and starting can become harder or less smooth.

CRC is a consumer automotive chemical brand (often known for products like fuel system cleaners and starting aids). Here, the caller uses CRC to address rough hot starts after the fuel pump replacement.

“Fires up” is a common enthusiast phrase meaning the engine starts and runs immediately. In this context, it’s used to contrast the earlier rough hot starts with the improved behavior after the fuel pump and CRC treatment.

“Stumbling” refers to an engine that hesitates or loses smoothness right after starting. Eliminating stumbling suggests the fuel/air mixture and ignition are now stable enough for consistent starts.

A heat cycle is the process of warming the engine up to operating temperature and then cooling back down. Short trips often don’t complete a full heat cycle, which can leave moisture and combustion byproducts sitting in the engine and fuel system.

Condensation buildup is moisture that forms inside the engine when it cools down, especially after short trips. That moisture can mix with combustion byproducts and contribute to deposits and corrosion-like issues over time.

Unburned fuel is gasoline that doesn’t fully combust in the cylinders. When it escapes combustion, it can leave carbon deposits and contribute to sticky residue on intake components and fuel-injection-related surfaces.

Hydrocarbons are fuel-related chemical compounds that can remain in the exhaust or combustion byproducts when combustion isn’t complete. They can deposit on engine surfaces like injectors and valve areas, contributing to buildup.

Fuel injectors are the components that spray fuel into the engine for combustion. Deposits from unburned fuel and hydrocarbons can foul injectors, which can worsen drivability and cause rough running.

A clutch is the friction device that lets a manual-transmission car smoothly connect and disconnect the engine from the gearbox. When the clutch is released, the pressure plate clamps the clutch disc to transmit power; if it doesn’t release or engage correctly, you can get hard shifting or odd noises.

Bleeding the clutch hydraulic system removes air from the fluid lines so the clutch can release and engage consistently. Air in the system can cause delayed or incomplete clutch operation, leading to hard shifting or odd engagement behavior.

The pressure plate is the clutch component that clamps the clutch disc against the flywheel to transmit engine torque. Wear or uneven contact patterns on the pressure plate can indicate misalignment, improper release, or a hydraulic/actuation issue.

“Machined it crooked” refers to a manufacturing or machining error where a part is cut or finished while not sitting level. For a clutch, that can cause uneven contact and lead to symptoms like grabbing, chatter, or difficulty operating the pedal.

Clutch chatter is a vibration or shudder that happens when the clutch engages unevenly or the friction surfaces don’t mate smoothly. It’s often felt as a roughness during take-up and can be caused by warped or improperly finished clutch components.

“Torqued down” means tightening bolts to a specified torque value using a torque wrench. Correct torque is critical for parts like a flywheel because uneven clamping can cause the part to sit crooked, leading to wobble and uneven clutch wear.

A flywheel is a heavy rotating component mounted to the engine that helps smooth out engine speed and provides a stable surface for the clutch to engage. In a clutch job, its mounting and seating matter because any wobble or uneven contact can affect how the clutch disc wears and how smoothly the clutch releases.

A pilot bushing (or pilot bearing) supports the transmission input shaft where it centers in the engine’s crankshaft. If it’s worn or damaged, it can cause vibration, clutch engagement issues, and accelerated wear on related parts.

A Ford F-250 is a heavy-duty pickup known for towing and work use, and it’s a common platform for drivetrain and clutch-related repairs. In this segment, the host is about to talk to a caller with a Ford truck, setting up a practical repair discussion.

“7.3 diesel” refers to a 7.3-liter diesel engine displacement, which indicates a large, torque-focused powerplant. In Ford Super Duty trucks, the 7.3L diesel is known for strong low-end pulling power and is a common engine choice for heavy-duty use.

A six-speed manual transmission is a gearbox where you shift gears yourself using a clutch pedal and a gear lever. The “six-speed” part means there are six forward gear ratios, which can help keep the engine in its power band and improve highway cruising.

“Shift on the fly” refers to a 4WD system that lets you change between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive while the vehicle is moving, rather than requiring the car to be stopped. This is typically controlled by the transfer case and is meant to make switching modes easier in changing traction conditions.

Self-locking hubs are part of a part-time 4WD setup that automatically engages the front wheels when 4WD is selected. They replace manual locking hubs, reducing the need to physically lock the hubs yourself.

A “loose wire” suggests an electrical connection problem, such as a connector that has come partially undone or a damaged lead. In power windows, that can cause the window to move in one direction but fail to operate reliably in the other direction.

“Passenger windows” refers to the power windows on the right/left passenger side (depending on the vehicle). When both passenger windows show similar symptoms (going down but not up), it often points to a shared control or wiring issue rather than a single window motor failure.

The “switch itself” means the window switch (or related control switch) may be failing electrically or mechanically. If the windows respond when the switch is manipulated, a worn switch is a common cause of intermittent power-window operation.

“Terminals” are the metal contact points where wires connect to a switch, motor, or module. Water and road salt can cause corrosion there, increasing resistance and leading to intermittent electrical behavior.

In automotive wiring, “ground” is the electrical reference point—typically the vehicle’s chassis—used to complete circuits. The speaker describes how the door/window switch removes ground from one wire and applies power to another to move the window up or down.

“Standard” here refers to an aftermarket supplier that sells replacement electrical parts like door/window switches. Listeners should treat it as a parts brand recommendation rather than a vehicle manufacturer.

A “window switch” is the driver’s control (often integrated with the lock controls) that commands the power window system. If the switch is intermittent—like when you wiggle it—the window can work inconsistently.

A “wiring diagram” is a schematic that shows how wires connect between switches, motors, fuses, and modules. It’s used for troubleshooting by tracing circuits and checking which wire should have power or ground in each switch position.