Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

Cheap Gas, Sensor Failures & The Truth About Modern Motor Oil
From the archives — September 19, 2015 (Hour 2).
Ron opens the hour with a timely discussion on falling gas prices—and what “cheap gas” really means for your vehicle. Is lower cost fuel always a good thing, or is there more to the story?
Listener calls bring real-world problems to the table, including a 2007 Nissan Sentra with a failing cam position sensor causing hard starts and rough running, and a Chrysler PT Cruiser experiencing electrical gremlins after an ignition switch replacement—affecting both the radio and instrument cluster.
Ron is also joined by Ray Bogers, General Manager of Lubricants Technology at Pennzoil, for a conversation about evolving motor oil formulations, new standards, and what today’s engines really require for proper protection.
The hour wraps up with Ron revisiting and clarifying a few lingering issues from the previous program—bringing added insight and closure to earlier discussions.
Insightful, practical, and always focused on helping you make better decisions about your car
Car Advice. Done Right.
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


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Talking to Myself, Tuning Chips & Oil Consumption Truths
From the archives — September 19, 2015.
Ron kicks off the hour in an unusual way—talking to himself (literally) while working through a real-world issue with an anti-theft system on one of his own vehicles. It’s a candid look at how even seasoned techs think through modern car problems.
The calls cover a wide range of issues, including a 2004 Mercury Marauder with transmission concerns, and a classic 1990 Chevy Cavalier where the owner wants to convert from a four-headlight setup to a two-headlight system.
Ron also sits down with Jim McGinn of PowerTeq to talk about performance programming and what modifying your vehicle’s computer really means for drivability and reliability.
Rounding out the hour, a caller with a 2006 Toyota RAV4 asks about a technical service bulletin addressing excessive oil consumption—leading to a broader discussion about manufacturer fixes, expectations, and what drivers should know.
A mix of real shop insight, listener questions, and straight talk you can use.
Car Advice. Done Right.
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.

In today’s vehicles, fixing the car isn’t just about turning wrenches—it’s about having the right information at the right time. In this hour of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron sits down with Ross Whiteley of Mitchell 1 to explore how modern repair information systems are shaping the future of automotive diagnostics and service.
From factory procedures and wiring diagrams to technical service bulletins and real-world fixes, this conversation dives into where repair data comes from, how often it changes, and why even the most experienced technician needs to rely on accurate, up-to-date information.
If you’ve ever wondered why some problems are harder to diagnose than others—or why your repair shop spends time researching before picking up a tool—this episode explains it all.
Whether you’re a consumer, a DIYer, or a professional tech, you’ll walk away understanding why in today’s world, information isn’t just power—it’s the repair.
Car Advice. Done Right.
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.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems—better known as ADAS—are changing the way we drive, repair, and think about our vehicles. This hour of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor takes a deep dive into what ADAS really is, how it works, and why it matters more than ever.
Joined by Steve Dawson of Hunter Engineering, Ron breaks down everything from lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control to the critical importance of proper calibration after even the simplest repair.
If you’re a consumer, you’ll learn why that windshield replacement or minor fender bender could directly impact your vehicle’s safety systems. For the DIYer and professional technician, this conversation highlights the specialized tools, procedures, and training now required to service today’s increasingly complex vehicles.
Whether you’re behind the wheel or under the hood, understanding ADAS isn’t optional anymore—it’s essential.
Car Advice. Done Right.
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.

The Cost of Not Knowing Your Car
This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron talks about the hidden cost of vehicle ownership: not knowing what your car is trying to tell you.
From a Volkswagen A/C diagnosis to a Toyota ignition coil problem with no warning light, Ron explains why small symptoms matter and why good diagnosis beats guesswork.
Plus, calls on a Toyota Tercel, GMC Envoy brakes, OBD readers, and a costly Volkswagen steering lock problem.
Car Advice. Done Right.
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.