Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

iHeartRadio On-Demand
  • 4.6 (256)
  • AUTOMOTIVE
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

With over 40 years of repairing cars and 27 on the radio helping you repair them, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is an expert at everything automotive. Call us at 855-560-9900.

  1. 3D AGO

    Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 28, 2026 - Hour 2 - The Most Expensive Number in Car Ownership

    What’s the most expensive number in car ownership? It’s not the sticker price. It’s not the monthly payment. It’s not even the repair bill. This week, Ron explains the number almost no one calculates until it’s too late — cost per mile — and why modern vehicles demand a different mindset than they did even ten years ago. Inside this episode: Why today’s cars feel more like rolling computers than mechanical machines A real shop conversation about when a vehicle may need $5,000 in upcoming repairs — and how to decide if it’s worth it Why automotive ownership can’t be emotional The growing debate around start-stop technology and long-term engine wear A Subaru recall warning involving potential fuel leakage and fire risk Being a good mechanic today sometimes means being a fortune teller — helping drivers see what’s coming before it becomes expensive. Because in the end, the smartest car owners aren’t reacting to repairs. They’re planning for them. 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.

    36 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 28, 2026 - Hour 1 - When the Warranty Company Says “Prove It”

    This episode starts with a question every driver dreads: If your engine is losing coolant—but there’s no leak—why is the warranty company asking you to tear it down to “prove it”? Ron revisits last week’s Ford Escape case and reads an email from respected engine builder Brian Sheeron—who calls the teardown demand what it often is: a path to denial, not a path to repair. Then the show takes a hard left into another hidden cost for drivers: New York City stations where motorists may be paying premium prices and getting lower octane fuel. If your car requires premium, that’s not a small mistake—it's a long-term risk. Plus, you’ll hear: Why “engine machine shop deserts” are real—and why rebuild culture is fading The modern reality: tear-down vs. replace (and why the math often favors replacement) A rural mail carrier’s fleet of Buick Centuries and what harsh shifting can reveal about transmission wear and “learned” behavior A great old-school mechanic call that reminds you what this trade used to be—and still can be The parts warning nobody wants to hear: counterfeit parts are out there, even in “real” boxes Ron’s own snowplow breakdown—and a simple electrical lesson: a 15-amp fuse living at 13 amps won’t live long The cheapest protection that still matters most: oil changes on time, especially for short-trip drivers This is the real cost of ownership—warranties, fuel, parts, and maintenance—where the small stuff becomes the expensive stuff. 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.

    34 min

  3. FEB 21

    Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 21, 2026 - Hour 2 - Hard Brakes, Vanishing Coolant, and Buying a First Truck

    It’s a busy hour on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor—and the calls cover everything from safety to big-dollar decisions. First, Frank calls about a 2015 Chevy Suburban with an intermittent hard brake pedal. Ron points to a known GM issue involving the engine-driven vacuum pump and brake booster contamination, and explains the smart first test to confirm it. Next, Stan’s 2019 Ford Escape 1.5L is losing coolant with no visible external leak, raising concerns about internal engine issues and the frustrations of dealing with extended warranty “script readers.” Ron lays out a logical path: prove what it’s not, document what it is, and push for coverage. Then, a 2021 Jeep Wrangler owner reports cold hard shifts into 3rd/4th—Ron suggests checking for pending codes, software updates, and relevant service bulletins before damage gets worse. Finally, James asks what to look for as his son buys his first vehicle: a 2009 Chevy Silverado with 163k miles. Ron gives the real-world checklist—rust, maintenance history, fluids, overall condition, and budgeting for what happens if the drivetrain quits. As always: don’t assume—test, verify, and make decisions with your eyes open. 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.

    35 min

  4. FEB 21

    Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 21, 2026 - Hour 1 - When Is Enough, Enough? Knowing When to Walk Away from a Repair

    This week, Ron shares a real shop story that every car owner needs to hear — a 16-year-old Toyota with warning lights, rust, exhaust issues, worn tires, and a growing repair list. What starts as a simple check-engine diagnosis quickly turns into a bigger conversation: at what point does fixing the car stop making sense? Ron walks listeners through the behind-the-scenes thought process mechanics go through every day — balancing safety, cost, reliability, and honesty — and explains why sometimes the best advice isn’t another repair… it’s replacing the vehicle. Plus, a caller with a lifetime-warranty Dodge Ram faces recurring misfires and confusing dealership diagnostics, sparking an important discussion about compression testing, modern engines, extended warranties, and why basic testing still matters. The takeaway? Find a mechanic you trust, ask questions, and remember — a good shop doesn’t just fix cars. They help guide life decisions that roll in on four wheels. 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.

    35 min

  5. FEB 15

    Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 14, 2026 - Hour 2 - Pitchers & Catchers, Cooling Fans & Comebacks That Solved The Problem

    On this episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron kicks things off with a shout-out to Coach Keith at CrossFit Bison — baseball season is coming, pitchers and catchers have reported, and yes… Ron might be running again. Then it’s right into real-world auto repair with a mix of laughs, shop logic, and listener follow-ups that close the loop. Matt calls in with an ’01 Chevy Venture where the cooling fans will run when jumped — but won’t come on under normal operation. Ron explains why this may not be a bad fan or relay at all, but a control/strategy issue involving the BCM and load-shed management — the kind of problem you solve with testing, not guessing. Bruce in Utah shares the win of the week: a pristine ’78 Mercury Marquis that hadn’t been started in 40 years… brought back to life and now turning heads everywhere it goes. Ron talks about the satisfaction of keeping older, repairable vehicles alive — and why we’re all just caretakers of the classics. Plus, Chris reports back on a Chrysler Pacifica cold-start nightmare that ended up being start/stop battery related — proving again that modern vehicles can mean two batteries and big repair bills if you don’t know what you’re dealing with. And Steven closes the loop on a 2023 F-150 catalytic converter issue that didn’t qualify for a recall — but did get handled under warranty. Ron wraps with updates on parts supply issues, why start/stop may be headed for a rethink, and a reminder that the best repair relationship is built on trust, proper maintenance, and doing things the right way. The 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.

    36 min

  6. FEB 15

    Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 14, 2026 - Hour 1- The Wheel That Fell Off: Trust, Brakes, and Real Auto Repair

    On this episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron opens with a hard truth: auto repair isn’t about cheap — it’s about correct. After a caller questions a $500 brake job, Ron explains why doing brakes the right way matters, how labor rates really work, and why confidence in your mechanic is just as important as confidence in your car. Then comes every technician’s worst nightmare — a wheel falling off a customer’s Toyota after dealership service. Ron walks listeners through what happened, why this kind of mistake can be deadly, and why the real story is how the dealer stepped up, owned it, and made things right — the true measure of a repair shop. Plus, Ron helps Greg in Wisconsin chase down a complicated Nissan misfire, covering real-world diagnostics like vacuum testing, timing chain concerns, coolant intrusion, and scan tool strategy. The hour wraps with advice on GM truck maintenance, oil choices, transmission servicing, and why waiting too long between oil changes can quietly shorten your vehicle’s life. It’s an honest, inside-the-shop look at what separates parts swapping from professional diagnostics — and why the cheapest repair often ends up being the most expensive. 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.

    35 min

  7. FEB 7

    Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 7, 2026 - The EV Bill Comes Due: Burning Oil, Hot Trans Temps, and Parts Going Missing

    This hour, Ron opens with a hard number—$26.2 billion—and what it says about the EV business model, vehicle pricing, and why consumers may be the ones ultimately paying the tab. He breaks down what’s happening in the market, why automakers are reassessing EV strategy, and what it could mean for the cost of buying and owning a car. Then it’s back to real-world problems listeners are facing today: A rust-belt truck with tire wear and frozen alignment cams—when does it make sense to repair, and when is it time to start shopping? A swollen battery case and what it can signal about charging issues and battery life. A hot-start stumble on a ’99 Acura TL—Ron walks through practical diagnostics (fuel volume, deadhead pressure testing, and heat-soak sensor checks). A Hyundai Tucson burning oil at an alarming rate—how to push for help, what documentation matters, and why technical bulletins exist for a reason. A 2016 Tahoe running 195° transmission temps because of a factory thermal bypass—Ron explains the risks, the logic (or lack of it), and why a middle-ground thermostat solution may make sense. Plus: the latest fallout from the First Brands situation and how parts availability—calipers, wipers, and more—can create real holes in the supply chain that affect every repair bay in America. 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.

    35 min

  8. FEB 7

    Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 7, 2026 - Hour 1 - It Started With a Vacuum Hose: When Auto Repairs Snowball

    This hour, Ron opens with a shop story that starts small and snowballs fast—one chewed vacuum hose on his ’72 Monte Carlo turns into a full dash teardown, heater core drama, brittle plastic parts, and the reality of sourcing quality components for classic cars. Then it’s on to calls and straight talk: a 2025 Ford Maverick owner worried about oil consumption and a dealer that won’t document concerns, plus a Toyota Corolla owner questioning “universal” synthetic transmission fluid versus manufacturer-spec Type T-IV. Ron explains why documentation matters, how oil consumption can become a long-term emissions/catalyst problem, and why “one fluid fits all” can be a risky gamble. Also: a listener asks about smartphone alignment tools, and Ron gives a reality check on why phones can’t replace professional alignment equipment—especially on modern vehicles with ADAS. 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.

    36 min
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4.6
out of 5
256 Ratings

About

With over 40 years of repairing cars and 27 on the radio helping you repair them, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, is an expert at everything automotive. Call us at 855-560-9900.

Information

  • Channel
    iHeartRadio On-Demand
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts and Ron Ananian The Car Doctor
  • Years Active
    2013 - 2026
  • Episodes
    1.5K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

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