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We're All Back Giving You Help With Car Repairs

We're All Back Giving You Help With Car Repairs

Under The Hood show Jan 11, 2026 47 min
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About this episode

Listeners are welcomed back to the Under the Hood Show, where hosts Russ Evans and Shannon Nordstrom share automotive insights and answer listener questions. The episode features discussions on winter driving experiences with electric vehicles, the importance of proper tire selection, and troubleshooting common vehicle issues. Notably, a heartfelt story about a 96-year-old superfan receiving a hoodie adds a personal touch. The hosts also tackle various listener inquiries, including a Chevy Silverado's cold start issues and a Jeep Grand Cherokee's unexpected acceleration, showcasing their expertise and camaraderie.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

traction control

"It knows if there's a slip. Yeah, you know, it takes it takes the ability to do traction control to another level"

Traction control is a system in cars that helps keep the wheels from spinning too much when you accelerate. It makes driving safer, especially on wet or icy roads.

Term

all-wheel drive

"Especially then you get yourself into an all-wheel drive or a dual motor Tesla or something like that"

All-wheel drive means that all four wheels of the car get power from the engine, which helps the car grip the road better. This is especially useful when driving in rain or snow.

Term

dual motor

"Especially then you get yourself into an all-wheel drive or a dual motor Tesla or something like that"

Dual motor means the car has two electric motors, one for the front wheels and one for the back. This helps the car drive better and stay stable on the road.

Term

factory tires

"They said it was beautiful...the factory tires were horrible for snow. So that's a good point. They swapped them out for"

Factory tires are the tires that are put on a car when you buy it new. Sometimes, they might not work well in certain weather, like snow, so people choose to replace them.

Car

Toyota Prius

"... Georgia. Well, they've sales. They just like the Prius has come with they run They've run a tire for my..."

The Toyota Prius is a special car that uses both gas and electricity to help save on fuel. It's known for being very good for the environment and helps people drive longer distances without using a lot of gas.

Car

Hyundai Ioniq

"...the ionic was everywhere when we were in Vermont..."

The Hyundai Ioniq is a type of car that can run on electricity, gas, or both. It's designed to be very efficient and is popular for being eco-friendly.

Term

track mode

"What's track mode? I think I'm just gonna be really quiet"

Track mode is a special setting in some cars that makes them handle better for racing. It changes how the car responds to your driving to make it faster and more fun on a racetrack.

Car

Chevy Silverado

"...got a question about a 2013 Chevy Silverado pickup it has the six two in it..."

The Chevy Silverado is a popular truck that can carry heavy loads and is often used for work or towing. The 2013 version has a strong engine that helps it perform well in tough conditions.

Term

mass airflow sensor

"...you could have a mass airflow sensor that's a little dirty you could have fuel injectors that are a little dirty..."

The mass airflow sensor is a part of the car that checks how much air is going into the engine. If it gets dirty, it can make the car run poorly or use more fuel.

Term

fuel injectors

"...you could have fuel injectors that are a little dirty some carbon in the cylinders all that stuff can lead to..."

Fuel injectors are parts that spray fuel into the engine so it can run. If they get dirty, the engine might not work as well or use too much fuel.

Term

fuel trim

"...Fuel trim issues which will cause it to either over fuel or under fuel depending on how that mass air flow is sensing stuff..."

Fuel trim is how the car adjusts the amount of fuel it uses based on how much air is coming in. If it's not set right, the car can use too much or too little fuel.

Company

CRC

"You could try a CRC emissions system cleaner kit. They're a partner of ours and we use their kits to clean out..."

CRC makes products that help clean car parts and improve how well your car runs. They have special cleaners for different systems in vehicles.

Term

tune-up

"...if you're doing a tune-up, let's say you come into the shop..."

A tune-up is when you check and fix different parts of a car's engine to make sure it runs well. It usually involves changing some parts like spark plugs.

Part

spark plugs

"...diagnosing and seeing what we got spark plugs coils plug wires coil boots..."

Spark plugs are small parts in a car's engine that help start the engine by creating a spark. They need to be changed from time to time to keep the car running well.

Term

piston slap

"The piston slap in these five threes is very real and continued on up through 13 14. They pretty much had it fixed when they went to the different design engine with direct injection and stuff."

Piston slap is a sound that happens when the piston in an engine hits the sides of the cylinder. It's more noticeable when the engine is cold and can mean there might be a problem with the engine's design or wear over time.

Term

leak down test

"Would you do a leak down test first before you spent a bunch of money on is it possible?"

A leak down test checks if air is escaping from the engine's cylinders, which can show if there are problems with the engine parts. It's a way to see if the engine is healthy or if it needs repairs.

Term

lifter

"...I had a problem with a lifter on that but that squealed like crazy never went away..."

A lifter is a part of the engine that helps open and close the valves. If it doesn't work right, it can make noise and cause problems with how the engine runs.

Term

OEM wheels

"...replacement wheels for many OEM Manufacturers at substantial cost savings these wheels look and perform like OEM wheels..."

OEM wheels are the original wheels that your car comes with when you buy it. They are made to fit your car perfectly and match its design.

Company

Road Ready Wheels

"...road ready wheels has replacement wheels for many OEM Manufacturers at substantial cost savings these wheels look and perform like OEM wheels..."

Road Ready Wheels is a business that sells replacement wheels for cars. They offer wheels that look like the original ones that came with your car but usually cost less.

Part

TPMS sensors

"...your factory caps and TPMS sensors will fit find out more and or yours at road ready wheels calm"

TPMS sensors are devices that check the air pressure in your car's tires. If the pressure gets too low, they let you know so you can fix it before it becomes a problem.

Company

Berkeley One Classics

"...I met the professionals at Berkeley One Classics. Berkeley One Classics ensured me with an agreed value policy..."

Berkeley One Classics is a company that helps people insure their special cars, like classic or rare vehicles. They make sure you get the right amount of money if something happens to your car.

Term

agreed value policy

"...Berkeley One Classics ensured me with an agreed value policy. That means if you suffer a loss..."

An agreed value policy is a special kind of insurance for cars where you and the insurance company decide how much your car is worth. If something happens to your car, you get that amount of money, no questions asked.

Car

Jeep Grand

"I have 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee the other day. I was pulling on to one of the streets and I pressed on the gas..."

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a popular SUV that can handle both city driving and off-road adventures. The 2023 version has new features and options for drivers.

Term

RPMs

"I thought I got the impression that it didn't propel you forward and the RPMs were going up without you moving. But so you also propelled forward with the RPMs going up, too."

RPMs stand for revolutions per minute, which tells you how fast the engine is spinning. If the engine is spinning fast but the car isn't moving, something might be wrong.

Car

Kia Rios

"... engine has an electronic basically a heavy-duty Rios stat on it that motor like motor electric motor. ..."

The Kia Rio is a small car that is easy to drive and doesn't cost a lot of money to buy or fill up with gas. It's a good choice for people who want a reliable car for getting around town.

Car

Nissan Hardbody

"...you had sent a very nice letter to the under the hood show you had detailed pictures of your if I remember right it was an 86 and a half Nissan hardbody and you had done some..."

The Nissan Hardbody is a small truck made by Nissan that was popular in the 1980s and 1990s. It's known for being tough and reliable, which is why many people still like them today.

Term

floor pan

"...there was some rust on the floor pan and you had repaired that and look like you did a nice repair..."

The floor pan is the part of the car where you sit. It's important for keeping the car strong and protecting you from things like rain and dirt.

Part

brake pedal sensor

"...this little rubbery nipple that is shoved in there at the brake pedal sensor and that has to be in there to make contact so that the brake lights will work on and off..."

The brake pedal sensor is a small part that tells your car when you are pressing the brake. If it breaks, your brake lights might not turn on, which is important for safety when driving.

Term

brake lights

"...so that the brake lights will work on and off and that thing was so fragile after 39 years that it just broke into a little tiny pieces..."

Brake lights are the lights on the back of your car that turn on when you press the brake pedal. They let other drivers know that you're stopping or slowing down.

Car

Nissan King Cab

"...fully restored 86 and a half Nissan King cab that he has owned since it was new..."

The Nissan King Cab is a type of pickup truck that has extra space behind the front seats for passengers. The 1986-1987 models are known for being tough and reliable.

Car

Buick Rendezvous

"So if you had a the rendezvous aren't around as much as they used to be but if there was a self-service facility nearby that had a rendezvous you could go pluck one of them out for a few bucks"

The Buick Rendezvous is a type of SUV that was made by Buick. It was popular in the early 2000s and is known for being spacious and family-friendly.

Car

Pontiac Aztek

"...the Pontiac as tech as tech. Okay. I think it was the rendezvous and as tech..."

The Pontiac Aztek is another SUV that was made by Pontiac in the early 2000s. It has a unique look and was designed to be practical for families.

Car

Jeep Cherokee

"Hi, you guys just had a call about a 2023 Grand Cherokee, and I think you missed the diagnosis you guys Y..."

The Jeep Cherokee is a type of SUV that can handle rough roads and outdoor adventures. It's popular because it can be used for everyday driving and also for exploring nature.

Term

paddle shifter

"And if you accidentally bump the paddle bingo it will lock into the gear... Pull and pull the left paddle shifter, and then it will go back to like automatic mode instead of paddle shifting"

Paddle shifters are levers behind the steering wheel that let you change gears in a car without using a clutch. They make it easier to drive manually while still having an automatic transmission.

9 cars featured

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