Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

In this edition of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, a caller, Tim from Lincoln, Illinois, describes an intermittent issue with his 2010 Toyota 4Runner, where the instrument cluster malfunctions—gauges flash, and warning lights (like for ABS and 4WD) remain on, although the truck drives perfectly fine. This problem happens randomly and can go for months without recurring. Despite a visit to the dealership and diagnostics at a local store, no faults were found. The host suggests that the issue could be related to the instrument cluster’s power and grounding or a wiring problem, especially after Tim had a remote start installed. The conversation dives into the difference between OBD2 and manufacturer-specific codes, suggesting a deeper scan for communication errors. The host advises checking the remote start installation, power, grounds, and considering a cluster replacement or repair if necessary. The caller is reassured the issue isn't urgent but still needs addressing. In the second segment, another c

The discussion revolves around car maintenance and repairs during this radio show hosted by Ron Ananian, known as the Car Doctor. Key points include: Defeating the Three-Cylinder Mode: A listener inquires about disabling the three-cylinder mode in a car. The host suggests it might not be cost-effective for a car with high mileage. Hybrid Battery Concerns: A caller asks about a Toyota Prius with 18,000 miles and potential hybrid battery issues. Ron reassures them that replacement is rare and advises regular oil changes every six months for low-mileage cars. Oil Change Frequency: Another caller questions the recommended oil change interval for a 2015 Nissan Altima. Ron emphasizes that while manufacturers suggest 5,000 miles, conventional oil should ideally be changed every 3,000–3,500 miles. Synthetic oil can extend this to 5,000 miles. He highlights the benefits of synthetic oils like Pennzoil for better long-term engine health. Heater Issue in a Dodge Caravan: A caller reports inconsistent heati

The transcript is from an episode of the Car Doctor Radio Show hosted by Ron Ananian, where listeners call in with car-related issues. Key segments include: Curtis from Texas calls about his 2000 Ford F-150 with a Triton engine burning oil. Ron advises: Switch to a lighter 5W-30 oil for a trial to potentially address piston ring issues related to heavier oil. High-mileage oils could be a secondary experiment. Monitor oil consumption, as excessive burning could damage the catalytic converter over time. Pam from Massachusetts discusses battery problems in her 2004 VW Touareg. Her car has a mysterious "battery alarm" always draining power. Ron suggests: Conducting a parasitic draw test using millivolt drop testing on fuses. Investigating if the alarm is aftermarket and disconnecting it. Contacting the original dealership or identifying the alarm module to disable it. Paul from Ontario talks about carbon buildup in his 2006 Mazda Speed6 with direct injection. Ron recommends: Using sprays like CRC GDI C

The radio show episode revolves around automotive diagnostics and maintenance, led by host Ron Ananian, the Car Doctor. Here’s a summary of key topics discussed: Main Discussion: Diagnosing a Fuel and Engine Issue Case Study: A 2019 Honda CR-V with a check engine light and a mechanical ratcheting noise. The vehicle presented a lean fuel condition, which means it required more fuel enrichment to run efficiently. Diagnostic Process: Ron analyzed the car’s fuel trim, mass airflow readings, and calculated load to pinpoint the issue. He discovered that the vehicle had been fueled with high-ethanol gas (likely E85), which is not suitable for standard vehicles. This led to poor engine performance and low oil levels. The resolution involved running out the improper fuel, conducting an oil change, and educating the owner about proper fuel selection. Advice for Travelers: Fuel Awareness: Drivers should be cautious when refueling outside their usual area. Understanding ethanol content (E10, E15, E85) is esse

In this episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Dr., Ron is discussing various topics centered around cars, specifically older models like the 1938 Chevy Deluxe. The exchange features a mix of storytelling and technical car discussions. Here’s a summary of the key points: Car Nostalgia and Road Trips: Bill from Iowa shares memories of a road trip he took in his 1938 Chevy Deluxe in 1965, driving it from Iowa to California via Route 66. He recalls driving on old, challenging roads and emphasizes the mechanical simplicity and charm of vintage cars. The conversation touches on the difference between older cars and modern ones, particularly the physical effort required to drive older cars (steering, shifting gears, etc.), in contrast to the ease of driving newer cars with power steering, air conditioning, and other comforts. Car Modifications and Maintenance: Bill talks about how he modified his 1938 Chevy, including upgrading the carburetors, adding Corvette headers, and switching to new tires. He mentions

The episode centers around Ron Ananian, "The Car Doctor," as he shares expert automotive advice. Key topics include the importance of regular, well-executed oil changes and the pitfalls of neglecting details like replacing drain plug gaskets and cleaning excess oil during service. Ron emphasizes the value of meticulous maintenance in extending vehicle longevity, especially given the high cost of replacements.   Listeners hear an in-depth discussion about a specific case: repairing a 2004 Chevy Tahoe with rusted body mounts. Ron provides practical advice on evaluating repair costs, working with mechanics, and the importance of transparent communication with auto shops. He encourages listeners to approach vehicle care with the same diligence as personal health, stressing the value of proactive, informed decisions. The episode also invites audience interaction, offering live call-in opportunities to address automotive issues directly with Ron during his broadcast hours. Find out more about us at www.c

The Car Dr is all calls this segment; Justin from PA is calling in about a P0420 cat efficiency code on his VW Jetta; Ron walks him through some diagnostic steps and helps break it down into simple terms. Jesse (from Chico California) is up next with questions about changing transmission fluid on his 2013 Ford F150. He has been told several different answers to the question and now turns to Ron for the definitive answer. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron opens the show this day in 2014 with conversation about his week in the shop; then he takes a call from Hawaii about maintenance on a Porsche Boxster. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron starts this episode talking about his week and a story of two 2014 cars – a  Honda that was overheating and an Acura that needed an oil change : takes a call on a 77 Chevy Van that has been sitting for 12 years and now the caller wants to start it : takes a call on a 24 VW Virtus from Danny in Mexico City: the vehicle has trouble maintaining a steady RPM : takes a call on a 17 Explorer with orange liquid on the AC compressor, and he is asking if he should change the timing chains while he’s in there. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron starts this episode with a call on a 99 Tacoma that runs rough after being restarted after running for a while : takes a call on a 15 Legacy where the caller replaced the cat with an aftermarket unit and is questioning her choice, and a question on oil use : takes a call on an 01 Odyssey EX that shuts off intermittently : talks about Research Kathy’s intermittent car problem and how to diagnose : answers an email on an 09 Corvette about basic maintenance. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This segment from November of 2010 has Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor talking to listeners about vehicle undercoating, hard to find Metric Sized tires for a 1982 Mustang GT; an airbag problem on a 1993 Ford and a Dashboard Illumination issues, among other electrical problems, on a 1994 Jeep Cherokee.  Ron closes the segment with a fan favorite, the Lightning Round. Answering multiple questions from a list in front of him, again he shows us why he is The Car Doctor! Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This edition of Classic Car Doctor from the year 2010 is an interview free segment and hour actually. Tune in to hear a variety of Q & A between Ron and the callers. From 2008 For Explorer issues; which is the Repair of the Week to other complaints and concerns, this segment covers them all. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron starts this episode talking about replacing rusted components on a car : answers a social media post on a 2 Equinox and the entertainment system : answers an email on a 14 Legacy that needs a cat converter and now cannot access cruise control : answers an email about transmissions : and answers an email on a steering wheel squeak : takes a call on a 97 Voyager that needs a power steering pump : and Ron reads his Night Before Christmas. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Its Gasoline Alley, leading off todays segment from 2010. Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor goes into the "Pits" to talk to Ron Ross, then owner of Simonek Performance in NJ. They also play a round of Automotive Jeopardy . Its back to the phones afterwards to fill out this portion of Classic Car Doctor. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron opens this show talking about hands free phone calls and driving cars (talk about how times have changed!) He then fills out the rest of this segment with a variety of phone calls problem solving from the hip as we have come to expect from The Car Doctor. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron starts this episode with the story of diagnosing an 05 Tahoe that wouldn’t start : takes a call on an 18 Equinox where the caller has questions on carbon deposits : takes a call on an 05 Town & Country with a P0522 error code and the oil light is on : takes a call on various types of coolant : talks about fluids in cars and safety in maintenance. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron starts this episode with a call on getting smog checks on older California cars : takes a call on a 16 Fiesta and questions on spark plugs : talks about Chrysler and their problems with plastic parts : takes a call on a 19 Ioniq with a woodpecker sound coming from the AC vents : answers an email on fuel system cleaning on a late model GMC diesel. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor goes to Maine to open this segment to talk to Bob about his 2000 Mazda. Bob is concerned about his shocks and struts. Next up Ron goes to Iowa to talk to a listener about the MPG in their 1994 Buick. There are some random on again, off again dash board lights that are illuminated. Ron points out that diagnosing the lights and indicators is the first step to solving the gas mileage issue. Next up its Car Care Corner time. Today Ron talks about caring for the outside of the car by way of washing and waxing. After the break Ron travels to Missouri to talk to Judy about a recent timing chain issue on her 1998 Ford Contour. Since then the MPG has gone downhill and she has some fault codes. The Car Doctor takes a deep dive into diagnostics and talks us all through it.   After the break its a lightning round.....Ron shows us why he is The Car Doctor & rapid fires off a series of answers to various listeners and their problems. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow U

Ron starts this hour with a Repair of The Week from his shop. A 2000 Saturn with a lean fault code condition and a list of repair attempts elsewhere. A desperate vehicle owner and and impossible to fix car is no stranger to The Car Doctor. Ron walks us through the repair. Next up, Ron takes a call from Tom in North Carolina with some maintenance questions on an 02 Toyota that needs servicing. Ron also talks about oil change routines and intervals base on 2007 standards. Funny to hear the shorter than current requirements for oil change intervals back in 2007. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ron starts this episode talking about what’s going on with Chrysler : takes a call on a 31 Ford Model A that has been parked for 14 years, and the caller is looking for tips to get it started again : takes a call on a 23 Maverick where the caller is asking how to soften up the suspension as it’s a bit rough : takes a call on an 08 Pilot with transmission problems at 230K miles. Find out more about us at www.cardoctorshow.com  Follow Us On Instagram  -   @ronananian    Visit our You Tube Channel for auto repair tips and videos  Call Into The Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 (855)560-9900    Live Call In Show Saturdays 2-4PM Eastern Time       See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.