"Three Frogs on a Log: Why Most Drivers Never Fix the $20.000 Car Mistake"
About this episode
Nile Motor Mouth Jenkins shares his extensive 44-year journey in automotive repair, from farm work and early apprenticeships to managing a Volkswagen dealership and running his own shop. He discusses the challenges and rewards of being a service technician, the current shortage of skilled techs, and the importance of learning the fundamentals of car maintenance. The episode also highlights community support initiatives, offers financial planning resources, and invites listeners to engage with live Q&A sessions. A fun riddle about frogs on a log adds a playful touch to this informative and personal automotive talk.
Fun Friday-but there's a lesson here most drivers miss. Three frogs sitting on a log. One decides to jump......how many are left. That simple question explains why so many people stay stuck overpaying for vehicles that don't deliver real value.
In this. episode, I share my story-44 years in the automotive trade, the mentors who shaped me and why I've made it my mission to help drivers stop losing money on cars.
We break down:
1) Why "deciding " isn't the same as taking action
2) The real cost behind today's $20,000 vehicles.
3) Why older, well maintained cars often outperform newer ones.
4) How to start playing the car game smarter
I'm not in the dealer's corner. I', not in the manufacturer's corner. I'm in yours.
Fun Friday Challenge:
Send in your answerto the frog question-and include an automotive question for tomorrow's Q&A
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Happy Healthy Motoring Friends, Peace Patience Kindness Always. NMJ
Keep that ignition on, engine running smoothly!
#CarOwnership #AutoRepair #SaveMoney
cooling system flush
"I was gushing, flushing the cooling system and then the holes blew off and I got like the ultimate anti-free shower."
Flushing the cooling system means cleaning out the old liquid that keeps the engine cool and putting in new clean liquid. This helps the engine from getting too hot or rusty inside.
A cooling system flush is a maintenance procedure where old coolant and contaminants are removed from a vehicle's cooling system and replaced with fresh coolant. This helps prevent overheating and corrosion inside the engine.
Jeep Wrangler
"Skippy's not around but I'm still trying to get all the crud out of the engine block on this 97 Jeep TJ Wrangler Rescue and once I get that done, then it's out until I have to do the welding on the floor, which won't be until the summer."
The Jeep TJ Wrangler is a type of Jeep made from 1997 to 2006. It's popular for driving off-road and has round headlights that make it easy to recognize.
The Jeep TJ Wrangler is the second generation of the Jeep Wrangler, produced from 1997 to 2006. It is known for its off-road capability and distinctive round headlights, succeeding the YJ generation.
Subaru Uncharted
"...e for us to help us we navigate some of the most uncharted dangerous waters we can think of and that's the e..."
The Subaru Uncharted is a new electric car made by Subaru. It is a type of SUV that can drive well on rough roads and is powered by electricity instead of gas.
The Subaru Uncharted is an all-electric SUV introduced by Subaru, designed to offer advanced off-road capabilities combined with electric powertrain efficiency. It represents Subaru's push into electric vehicles while maintaining their reputation for ruggedness and all-wheel drive performance, making it suitable for adventurous and challenging terrains.
DIYer
""I'm not just a DIYer. I have my licenses. I just paid for them for another year and I'm up to date. Current with all the new stuff and the old stuff...""
A DIYer is a person who fixes or works on their car by themselves instead of paying a mechanic.
DIYer stands for 'Do It Yourselfer,' referring to someone who performs automotive repairs or maintenance on their own without professional help.
vintage car
""and I'll tell you what. I like the older stuff and we're not talking vintage. 10 years, 15 years old. You know why? Because that stuff we can get decent parts for them...""
A vintage car is an old car, usually over 25 years old, that people often collect or keep because it's special or rare.
A vintage car typically refers to a vehicle that is at least 25 to 30 years old and is often considered collectible or classic. It usually requires special maintenance and parts that can be harder to find.
automotive service technician shortage
"there are a lot of women young ladies getting into the trade the trade is dying there is a shortage of technicians North America wide it's huge it's a tsunami and we were talking about that back in 1992 97 2000 into the early 2000s up to 2007 that there was going to be a shortage of automotive service technicians North America wide not just in automotive all platforms and it's here it has arrived and it's scary"
There aren't enough car mechanics to fix all the cars because fewer people are training to be technicians, which makes it harder to get your car fixed quickly.
The automotive service technician shortage refers to the widespread lack of qualified mechanics and technicians to service and repair vehicles, a problem that has been growing since the 1990s and is now a significant issue across North America.
diagnostician
"it will challenge you all the time to get better to be better to become a diagnostician to not only be able to diagnose properly and repair properly but also learn to communicate with people it covers every angle of life"
A diagnostician is someone who figures out what is wrong with a car. They use special tools and knowledge to find the problem so it can be fixed.
A diagnostician in automotive terms is a technician who specializes in identifying the root cause of vehicle problems using diagnostic tools and expertise. This skill is crucial for effective and efficient vehicle repair.
apprenticeship
"transfer my apprenticeship so i where did i end up there i'm not sure exactly well that was back"
An apprenticeship is when someone learns a job by working with an experienced person and practicing the skills needed.
An apprenticeship is a system of training where a person learns a trade or profession through hands-on experience under the supervision of a skilled worker, often combined with classroom instruction.
Texaco
"from the texaco i went to cosmos garage fridt street west end of hamilton"
Texaco is a company that sells gas and oil for cars and trucks.
Texaco is a major American oil brand known for its gasoline and service stations, historically significant in the automotive and fuel industries.
Blue Line Taxi
"resudo family that owned blue line taxi and i learned a lot there how to work fast how to get stuff done"
Blue Line Taxi is a company that runs taxis, and the speaker worked there fixing cars fast.
Blue Line Taxi is a taxi company mentioned here as a workplace where the speaker learned to work quickly and efficiently on vehicles, including taxis.
310T
"i was ready to write i had written my 310 t at that time and then i wanted to get my diesel endorsement"
The 310T is a test that mechanics in Ontario take after training to show they know how to fix cars properly.
The 310T is a certification exam for automotive technicians in Ontario, Canada, marking the completion of apprenticeship training and qualification to work as a licensed technician.
diesel endorsement
"i was ready to write i had written my 310 t at that time and then i wanted to get my diesel endorsement so i said to uh tony resudo"
A diesel endorsement means a mechanic has extra training to fix diesel engines, which are different from regular gas engines.
A diesel endorsement is an additional qualification that allows a technician to work on diesel engines, which require specialized knowledge due to their different fuel systems and components compared to gasoline engines.
heavy trucks and equipment
"i had to leave there to go into heavy trucks and equipment full time for 1670 man hours to be able to write my diesel license"
Heavy trucks and equipment are big machines like dump trucks and bulldozers that need special care and fixing skills.
Heavy trucks and equipment refer to large vehicles and machinery used in industries like construction, transportation, and agriculture, which require specialized maintenance and repair skills.
diesel license
"full time for 1670 man hours to be able to write my diesel license at that time so i had to do 1670 straight hours on diesel"
A diesel license means a mechanic is officially allowed to work on big diesel engines, like trucks and heavy machines.
A diesel license is a certification that allows a technician to legally work on diesel-powered vehicles and equipment, which often require specialized training and experience.
Mac Trucks of Canada
"and then i got picked up by mac trucks of canada so i"
Mac Trucks of Canada is a place that sells and fixes big trucks made by Mack.
Mac Trucks of Canada is a dealership and service center for Mack Trucks, a well-known manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks.
union company
"that was uh that was a hard working job it was the first time i worked for a union company which was interesting"
A union company is a place where workers have a group that helps them get fair pay and good working rules. This group talks to the bosses for the workers.
A union company is a workplace where the employees are represented by a labor union that negotiates wages, benefits, and working conditions on their behalf. Union jobs often have structured schedules and protections.
Peterbilt
"i called uh at that time my brother in law at peterbilt von terrio and i said can you guys help me out"
Peterbilt is a company that makes big trucks used for carrying heavy loads. Many truck drivers use Peterbilt trucks because they are strong and reliable.
Peterbilt is an American manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, known for their durability and use in commercial trucking. They are a popular brand among owner-operators and fleet companies.
interprovincial license
"at that time you could earn your interprovincial if you were 80 80 percent or more so i passed with 86"
An interprovincial license is a special kind of driver's license that lets you drive trucks in different provinces, not just where you live. You have to pass a test to get it.
An interprovincial license allows a commercial driver to operate vehicles across provincial borders within a country, such as Canada. It requires meeting certain standards and passing exams to ensure the driver can legally and safely drive in multiple provinces.
Ford Bronco
"i would had a bronco put my toolbox in the back and i would drift around and work a day here two days there go in do the jobs"
The Ford Bronco is a type of big car made by Ford that can drive well on rough roads and trails. People like it because it is tough and good for outdoor adventures.
The Ford Bronco is a model of SUV produced by Ford, known for its off-road capabilities and rugged design. It has a strong enthusiast following and has been produced in various generations since the 1960s.
fleet maintenance
"...i learned it through fleet maintenance doing lots of fleet maintenance when i work for cosmos garage and roadside repairs..."
Fleet maintenance means taking care of many vehicles that a company owns, making sure they run well and don't break down. This helps save money and keeps the vehicles ready to use.
Fleet maintenance refers to the management and upkeep of a group of vehicles owned or leased by a business or organization. It involves regular servicing, repairs, and inspections to keep the vehicles operational and cost-effective.
Volkswagen
"...we were a family we brought that dealership up out of the muck we went from the bottom number 12 to number one in ontario and canada for parts sales and service in 18 months... volkswagen maybe we're laughing stock of the district..."
Volkswagen is a big car company from Germany that makes many different types of cars, from small ones to fancy ones. Lots of people around the world drive Volkswagens.
Volkswagen is a German automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles from economy cars to luxury models. It is one of the largest carmakers globally and has a strong presence in many markets including Canada.
carburetor
"...he taught me how to rebuild carburetors and he would have he'd be smoking a cigarette 12 to 18 inches long rebuilding a carburetor smokes going his eyes and he let me sit at the workbench after hours for free i wasn't on the clock so i could learn how to do carburetors..."
A carburetor is a part in older cars that mixes air and gas so the engine can run. Newer cars use different parts to do this job better.
A carburetor is a mechanical device in older vehicles that mixes air and fuel for internal combustion engines. It controls the engine's air-fuel ratio but has largely been replaced by fuel injection systems in modern cars.
Chevrolet Chevelle SS
"he had a chavelle ss a true ss stick and man he knew how to drive that car too let me tell you"
The Chevrolet Chevelle SS is a fast and strong car made a long time ago. It was built to go really fast and is famous among car fans.
The Chevrolet Chevelle SS is a classic American muscle car known for its powerful V8 engines and sporty performance. The SS (Super Sport) trim denotes a high-performance version of the Chevelle, popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
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