Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 17, 2026 - Hour 2 - All Calls, Busy Hour Revisited

From June 15, 2025, Ron packs a fast-moving hour with nonstop calls, sharp questions, and practical answers. The pace is quick, the topics are wide-ranging, and there’s no shortage of real-world advice. Buckle up and settle in—this hour moves fast. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 17, 2026 35 min 34 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 17, 2026 - Hour 1 - A Look Back At EV's. Mark Mills Replay

A Look Back at the EV Promise—and the Reality From Thanksgiving 2022, Ron revisits a candid conversation with Mark Mills of the Manhattan Institute, examining the electric-vehicle market at a pivotal moment. What unfolds is a revealing discussion about both the promise that fueled the EV push and the practical challenges that have since reshaped the conversation—costs, infrastructure, resources, and consumer expectations. With the benefit of hindsight, this look back highlights where the optimism was justified, where reality intervened, and why the EV story is far more complicated than the headlines ever suggested. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 17, 2026 35 min 28 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 10, 2026 - Hour 2 - One Chance to Do It Right: Dealer Disputes, Exhaust Surprises, and Battery Timing

This hour, Ron tackles a dealership dispute after a headlight replacement—when a customer later discovers the entire inner wheelwell liner missing and can’t prove who removed it. Ron explains how to use factory procedures and documentation to hold a shop accountable and why missing liners can become a real corrosion and safety issue. Plus: a rare day in the shop—three exhaust repairs in one day—including a Toyota Highlander with a subtle flange leak that snowballed into hardware repairs and an O2 sensor surprise. Then Ron weighs in on oil viscosity “advice” from YouTube, a Mazda CX-5 deal for a high-mile commute, and when to replace a battery on a low-use vehicle—especially with today’s electronics and battery monitoring resets. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 10, 2026 35 min 34 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 10, 2026 - Hour 1 - The Best Repair Is Not To Make One

Sometimes the best repair is the one you don’t make—and Ron explains why with a 2007 Mercury Milan that came in for a simple turn-signal problem. What looked like an easy bulb swap turns into a lesson in modern diagnostics, networked body modules (GEM/SJB), and the harsh reality of obsolete parts and programming limitations. Then Ron takes a call on a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica with an intermittent no-start and a “pop-pop” sound near the battery—plus a hood that wouldn’t even open—raising questions about cable routing, connections, possible prior damage, and whether the van has start/stop with an auxiliary battery. Plus: an F-150 slowly losing coolant with no visible leaks—Ron walks through pressure testing, dye testing, internal vs external loss, and when a sealant strategy may make sense on high-mileage trucks. And for low-mileage drivers wondering when to change oil, Ron stands by his rule: five months or five thousand miles—because an oil change is also a maintenance checkpoint, not just fresh oil. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 10, 2026 34 min 26 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 3, 2026 - Hour 2 - Calls, Calls and More Calls

Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 04, 2026 34 min 29 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - January 3, 2026 - Hour 1 - When Do You Sell The Plow Truck?

Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan 04, 2026 35 min 33 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Talks EV's & The Ford F150 Lightning, on Mendte In The Morning, WOR 710AM, December 29, 2025

On Mendte in the Morning on WOR Radio 710, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, joins holiday host Ken Rosato to break down one of the biggest automotive stories of the year. Following Ford Motor Company’s decision to halt production of the F-150 Lightning and take a reported $20-billion charge tied to its EV strategy, Ron explains why the move isn’t a failure of the vehicle—but a reality check on profitability, subsidies, infrastructure, and consumer demand. The conversation expands into the future of EVs, the growing shift toward hybrids, the hidden costs of new technology like start-stop systems, and what all of this means for drivers long term. Catch Ron Ananian every other week on Mendte in the Morning at 9:40 AM on WOR 710 AM. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 29, 2025 7 min 18 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 27, 2025 - Hour 2 - The Day We Went On A Remote Broadcast; Almost!

Ron and crew are on their way back from the North Pole this weekend. It's a "Best Of" show from September 27, 2025. Instead of being on remote at the Annual PBA 286 Car Show, Ron and crew had to beat feet back to the studio when an equipment glitch at the time, later found out to be a Google Software update problem, caused remote equipment not to work. Its a great hour of radio in typical Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor style. Enjoy the ride! Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 27, 2025 34 min 31 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 27, 2025 - Hour 1 - EV's Past and Present

While Ron and crew are making the trip back from the North Pole, having helped Santa with another Christmas Eve, here is a "Best Of" show. Ron sat down with industry icon and physicist Mark Mills to talk about EV's from multiple views a few years ago. Its a great flash from the past and interesting to note as many of the predictions and directions are happening now. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 27, 2025 35 min 16 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 20, 2025 - Hour 2 - The Night Before Christmas (855)560-9900

It’s the last live show of the year on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor—and Ron explains what’s coming next: a Best-Of show next weekend, then back live New Year’s weekend. Ron also reminds listeners the broadcast becomes a podcast (search Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor on iHeart, Apple, Amazon, Google, and more). Plus, a caller with a 2023 Ford F-150 faces a persistent check engine light tied to a catalytic converter concern—Ron walks through why this should fall under federal emissions warranty coverage, why the dealer’s diagnostic fee may not ultimately come out of the caller’s pocket, and what to do to get the repair properly documented. Then the show rolls on with used-car shopping advice, EVAP and purge-valve talk, and a holiday closer you’ve got to hear. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 20, 2025 34 min 31 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 20, 2025 - Hour 1 - The Stoplight Honda Story (855)560-9900

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor opens with a Christmas-season story that stops him cold at a red light in Ramsey, NJ—when he realizes a young couple in the car next to him is listening to this show on the podcast. From there, Ron dives into the real-world chaos of modern repairs: a 2012 Mazda 3 owner spends $1,800 at a dealership with no clear diagnostic paperwork… only to be told the next step is an “obsolete” engine computer. Ron explains why probability, parts availability, and honest research matter before taking a customer down an expensive road. Plus, calls on a Chrysler 300C oil pressure sensor code, Honda CVT fluid service intervals (and the confusion around filters and fluid types), and a hard-start condition that may point to fuel delivery or pressure-regulator issues. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 20, 2025 34 min 30 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Dr Talks Warming Up Your Car & More on Mendte In The Morning, WOR Radio 710, December 15, 2025

Do You Really Need to Warm Up Your Car? On this episode of Mendte in the Morning on WOR Radio 710, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, clears up one of winter’s most debated questions—should you warm up your car before driving? Ron explains what modern vehicles really need, why safety and visibility matter more than internet myths, and when a short warm-up actually makes sense—especially in cold Northeast mornings. Plus, why using hot water on an icy windshield is a very bad idea, how idling laws factor in, and what older vehicles still demand in freezing temps. The conversation wraps up with advice on buying a car as a gift—why the big bow looks great in commercials, but real-world car buying should be an experience, not a surprise. Catch Ron every other week on Mendte in the Morning, WOR, and listen to Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor wherever you get your podcasts on the iHeartRadio app. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 16, 2025 7 min 5 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 13, 2025 - Hour 2 - Stalling Toyotas, Seat-Track Headaches, and Torque Converter Lockup Blues

This hour on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron kicks things off with a holiday giveaway—Car Doctor “hot cocoa” coffee mugs for callers—then dives straight into a stack of real-world problems. Paul in New Hampshire calls about a ’92 Toyota Tercel that occasionally stumbles and stalls after idling; Ron walks through a practical diagnostic path that points toward throttle body/TPS switch strategy and why a lab scope is the fastest way to catch an intermittent glitch. Jim follows with a power seat track alignment issue after a cushion repair—Ron explains why “they built it at the factory, so there’s a way to re-index it,” and asks for the VIN to dig up the procedure. Jeff in Oregon brings a ’95 Dodge Cummins with torque converter lock/unlock hunting; Ron outlines key inputs like brake switch activity and TPS ground noise, and why “more grounds rarely hurts.” Brad in Iowa rounds it out with a scary ABS event that won’t release the pedal on an ’09 Fusion—Ron suggests isolating the system by unplugging the ABS module to prove what’s good and narrow what’s bad. Ron also drops a shop-life reality check on the “snowball repair”—when a simple oil change turns into two days—plus a quick talk about young techs, presentation, and parents getting kids’ cars ready for holiday travel. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 14, 2025 35 min 25 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 13, 2025 - Hour 1

In this segment of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron explains how auto repair has evolved beyond simply fixing cars into a business built on trust, guidance, and long-term relationships. Using a real customer story, he shows how fear of cost or scheduling can lead drivers away from trusted shops, often resulting in repeat visits, unresolved problems, and lingering doubt about whether the repair was done right the first time. That doubt, Ron notes, damages not just one shop’s reputation but the perception of the entire industry. He ties this experience to a broader trend of dealership service departments losing ground to independent shops as consumers look for more than a low price—they want transparency, familiarity, and the “Cheers factor,” where their name and their car are known. Ron emphasizes that a good repair shop doesn’t just repair vehicles; it helps owners make practical decisions, including when a repair no longer makes sense. Ultimately, the real value in auto repair comes from honesty, experience, and putting the customer’s long-term needs ahead of a quick sale. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 14, 2025 34 min 28 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 6, 2025 - Hour 2 - (855)560-9900 - Lifetime Transmission Fluids

Lifetime Transmission Fluids, Cold Nissans & Beeping Volkswagens This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron opens with a nod to The Sopranos and that famous Holsten’s ice cream shop before diving into the realities behind “lifetime” fluids and modern transmission service. A caller with a 2017 Ford Fusion asks about trans fluid intervals, and Ron lays out why waiting until 150,000 miles is a bad bet—and how to approach drain-and-fills vs. fluid exchanges without shocking an aging gearbox. From there it’s a full diagnostic tour: a 2015 Nissan Rogue with no heat (airflow but no temperature), where Ron walks through heater-core flow checks, blend doors, and a cheap thermal gun/borescope game plan; a 2018 VW Tiguan plagued by an endless “keyless entry faulty” chime and a dealer pushing an $800 module, prompting a blunt discussion of broken door-jamb wiring and the “German car experience”; and a 2022 Kia Sportage owner trying to sort out backup lamp failures, recall history, and a key Kia bulletin that should keep the repair under warranty. Ron closes with a heartfelt thank-you to the listeners, a reflection on staying “relevant” after 30+ years on the air, and a quick reminder that the Car Doctor store at CardoctorShow.com is open for last-minute gifts. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 06, 2025 35 min 31 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 6, 2025 - Hour 1 - (855)560-9900 - Full Moon Auto Mechanics & The Repairs It Creates

Full Moon Mechanics: Walk-Ins, Walkers & Why That “Noise” Wasn’t the Car This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron takes you inside one of those “full-moon” stretches in the shop—when walk-ins, overdue maintenance, and stacked schedules all hit at once. A routine checklist on Michael’s Jeep Compass turns into a full safety catch-up: dry-rotted tires, a worn control arm, driveline fluids, alignment, and more. And the mysterious “clunk” Michael swears wasn’t there before? It turns out to be his walker tapping the door—proof that not every noise comes from the vehicle. Ron also tackles listener calls, including a Yukon with intermittent TCM/PCM communication faults, a ’94 Chevy with a hot-soak slow crank, and the truth about idling a diesel. He closes with advice for retirees choosing their next long-term vehicle—Pilots, Tahoes, Yukons, Lexus “brick” SUVs, and what really matters when you’re buying the car you plan to live with for years. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 06, 2025 34 min 40 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Dr Talks Classic Cars on Mendte In The Morning, WOR Radio 710, December 1, 2025

Larry Mendte of “Mendte in the Morning” on WOR 710 AM New York sits down with Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor to talk about a surprising new twist in the collector world: the growing demand for cars of the 1980s. It’s a fast, fun, and nostalgic 10-minute romp through the cars you grew up with—Cadillac Eldorados, and the boxy, big-shouldered cruisers that are suddenly hot again. And how about a 1981 Dodge Aries!? As always, Ron keeps it spirited and informative, explaining why these cars are gaining attention and what makes them worth a second look. Catch Ron every other week on WOR 710 AM at 9:39 AM on Mendte in the Morning. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 01, 2025 7 min 39 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - November 29, 2025 - Hour 2 - From Recycled Rides to the Dallas Autobahn: Collision Life in Texas

On this episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron takes a deeper dive into the story behind NABC Recycled Rides with guest Shyllo Michaelis, Chief Strategy Officer for Texas Collision Centers. Shyllo explains how their 16-shop operation teamed up with insurers and local charities to refurbish and donate 16 vehicles to veterans for Veterans Day—how the cars are selected, what qualifies, how recipients are vetted, and why it takes a small army of techs, vendors, and partners to pull it off. Then the conversation widens out: Ron and Shyllo talk about what it really takes to run a modern collision business—ADAS calibrations, EVs, commercial trucks, training, tooling costs, labor shortages, and repairing tech-heavy cars at Texas speeds. It’s a rare inside look at the collision side of the industry and the people using it to give something real back to veterans. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 30, 2025 35 min 26 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - November 29, 2025 - Hour 1 - When You Bring the Wrong Van… and Other Shop Adventures - (855)560-9900

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron answers a listener email about a Ford Transit rear brake job that turned into a wrong-year/ wrong-parts headache, then explains a 2021 Jeep Gladiator start/stop battery issue and the simple reset trick that brings it back to life. He lays out a fast winter car prep checklist—tires, batteries, coolant, washer fluid, oil, belts—and closes with how TPMS really works in cold weather. Plus, guest Dale Ross from the National Auto Body Council shares how the Recycled Rides program puts refurbished vehicles into the hands of veterans in need. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 30, 2025 34 min 27 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - November 22, 2025 - Hour 1 - The Most Expensive Repair Is a Broken Relationship - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline

This episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor dives into the one thing most drivers overlook: the relationship with your mechanic. Ron explains why trust, honesty, and communication matter more than price-shopping or chasing second opinions—and how being a “consumer” instead of a “customer” can derail even the simplest repair. You’ll hear real-world examples from the shop and the show: the tire-avoiding Toyota owner, the dealer who pushed a loyal buyer away, and callers whose problems were solved only after the right relationship was in place. Ron breaks down how to fix the disconnect: share your service history, respect diagnostic time, be ready for step one before demanding step two, and judge a shop by how it handles problems—not perfection. Auto repair isn’t just about fixing cars. It’s about the people you trust to fix them. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 23, 2025 35 min 28 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - November 22, 2025 - Hour 2 - Veterans, Code Talkers & Cars That Won’t Quit - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron opens with a Veterans Day salute and a tribute to the last Navajo Code Talker, whose everyday language helped win a world war. From there, it’s a fast lap through the garage: shopping old Cadillacs with the notorious HT 4100 engine, spooky hearse memories from the ’80s, chasing a hard-to-find clock spring for a ’97 Dodge Dakota, and sorting out lousy MPG on a lifted Jeep JK. Ron also walks through a smart, no-parts-cannon diagnosis on a Jeep Gladiator ABS fault and closes with a quick “your car might need repair if…” checklist to get you thinking ahead of the holidays. As always, the takeaway is simple: good mechanics aren’t expensive—they’re priceless. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 23, 2025 35 min 31 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - November 15, 2025 - Hour 2 - Looking For A Mechanic? - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline

In this episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron steps away from the wrench for a moment and talks from the heart about a growing crisis in the auto repair world: there aren’t enough mechanics to fix tomorrow’s cars. Sparked by Ford CEO Jim Farley’s recent comment that he can’t fill 5,000 technician jobs paying $120,000 a year, Ron digs into why the trade gets so little respect, why consumers don’t see what really goes on in the service bay, and how that disconnect is hurting everyone. Ron shares real stories from his New Jersey shop, including a 2016 Chevy Equinox owner who “pre-diagnosed” his own timing chain problem, and explains how modern cars, complicated electronics, and a lack of machine shops have pushed repair work into all-or-nothing territory. He calls out YouTube University, the graying technician workforce, and the urgent need to bring auto shop and the trades back into schools before the backlog of broken cars gets even worse. If you care about auto repair, trade careers, or what it’s going to take to keep America moving, this is one you don’t want to miss. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 15, 2025 34 min 32 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - November 15, 2025 - Hour 1 - How's Business? (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline

In this episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron opens with a visit to the local liquor store and a simple question—“How’s business?”—that quickly turns into a bigger conversation about the crazy state of the world, the economy, and yes, auto repair. From there, he dives into a head-scratcher in the shop: a 2020 GMC Denali with an intermittent no-crank that’s already on its fifth starter in five years. The owner’s “hammer tap” trick has always worked—until it doesn’t. Ron walks through modern battery testing, why today’s algorithm-based testers can miss an intermittent failure, how his old-school carbon pile load tester finally cracked the case, and why he ended up replacing both the battery and starter with parts he trusts. The phones light up and Ron tackles a grab bag of real-world problems: A Toyota Tacoma with a long-standing rear “thump” that feels like someone hit you from behind – is it axle wrap, pinion angle, or something in the suspension geometry? A nasty rear brake job on a Ford Transit, and a shop tip on using CRC Pro Series Brake Clean to tame the rust and mess. An ’03 VW Jetta TDI with swapped engines and questions about injection timing, scan tool accuracy, and when you really need a dedicated VAG-COM tool. A Ford F-250 no-crank with a remote start system in the mix, where Ron explains why you have to think in terms of wiring paths, junction boxes, and key fuses like 27, 13, and 31 instead of just “bad starter.” And a quick, practical mini-clinic on tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS)—why you can’t judge a tire by kicking it, how temperature affects pressure, and what that little door-jamb placard really assumes. If you want real-world diagnostic stories, straight talk about the insanity of modern car design, and practical advice you can actually use on your own vehicle, this episode’s for you. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 15, 2025 34 min 23 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor Interview - Mercedes AMG Book with Matt Delorenzo, Author - November 8, 2025

This week, Ron talks with automotive journalist Matt DeLorenzo, author of Mercedes AMG, about how two German engineers turned a luxury car brand into a racing powerhouse. From the birth of AMG in a small town workshop to the legendary “Flying Pig” that stunned the racing world, Matt shares how Mercedes’ high-performance division grew into one of motorsport’s most dominant forces. Hear the story behind the initials A-M-G, why each engine is hand-built by a single craftsman, and how today’s AMG hypercars still carry that racing DNA. Whether you’re a Benz fan or just love great car stories, this deep dive into performance history is one you won’t want to miss. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 09, 2025 14 min 27 annotations

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - November 8, 2025 - The "What If?" Scenario - Hour 2 - (855)560-9900 24/7 Hotline

This week on Ron Ananian The Car Doctor, Ron opens with a story about the “Price of Bagels” — and what a $126 breakfast says about the cost of living, value, and perspective. Then he takes calls from listeners coast-to-coast: Lee from Maine wonders if her rusted 2006 Toyota Camry is worth saving or if it’s time for a newer ride, and Carl from Wisconsin learns how to manage a weak battery and missing voltmeter on his 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. In the second half of the show, Ron sits down with automotive journalist Matt DeLorenzo, author of Mercedes-AMG, to explore the hidden hot-rod heritage behind Mercedes-Benz — from the birth of AMG to the legendary “Flying Pig” race car and today’s hand-built performance machines. It’s part car talk, part life lesson — all with that trademark Car Doctor mix of humor, heart, and horsepower. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 08, 2025 34 min 31 annotations