Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

• 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.

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• Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - December 13, 2025 - Hour 1 - Auto Repair Where Everybody Knows Your Name

  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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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