Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

This Memorial Day weekend on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron mixes humor, heart, and history in a powerful hour about the way cars become part of our everyday lives. It starts with a noisy Honda CR-V carrying landscaping rocks under a loose splash shield — and turns into a story about marriage, memories, and why vehicles become so personal to all of us.
Ron talks about the strange relationship people have with their cars, the conversations that happen at the repair counter, and why sometimes mechanics become part technician, part therapist, and part referee.
Plus:
Advice for a listener shopping for a used Toyota RAV4 for his teenage daughter
A heartfelt Memorial Day reflection on veterans, sacrifice, and the meaning behind the holiday
And a special archive conversation with Ron’s Uncle Steve Ananian, a North American P-51 Mustang pilot from World War II, recounting surviving combat, being shot down over the English Channel, and the incredible story of bringing a damaged fighter plane home.
It’s an unforgettable hour about cars, family, freedom, and the people who keep all of us moving forward.
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.

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron opens the hour with a story that perfectly captures the reality of modern car ownership — a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe with just 105,000 miles facing a shocking $16,000 transmission replacement estimate. After visits to two dealerships and completely different repair recommendations, the customer turns to Ron with the question every driver eventually asks: What would you do?
Ron dives into the growing fear and confusion surrounding today’s vehicles, where advanced technology, expensive repairs, and overwhelming repair estimates are changing the psychology of car ownership. Are consumers paying for repairs — or paying for risk management? And in a world of 10-speed transmissions, software-controlled drivetrains, and increasingly complex systems, who can drivers really trust?
Plus, listener calls on:
A Suzuki Grand Vitara with steering angle sensor concerns
A used Ford C-Max Hybrid and the realities of hybrid battery ownership
A Chevrolet Impala Limited with difficult A/C diagnosis issues
It’s a conversation about repair costs, trust, modern technology, and the difficult financial decisions drivers face every day.
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.

Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor takes on one of the most debated topics in automotive maintenance this week: oil change intervals. After an Instagram post sparked a flood of listener questions, Ron breaks down why modern engines are harder on oil than ever before—and why the “one-size-fits-all” oil change recommendation no longer works. From turbochargers and direct injection to short-trip driving and long-term vehicle ownership, Ron explains how driving habits, maintenance philosophy, and engine design all affect oil life and long-term reliability.
Then, Ron welcomes Aaron Shaffer of Standard Motor Products for an inside look at modern fuel injectors. Learn how injectors are manufactured, why spray pattern precision matters, what causes injectors to fail, and why replacing just one injector may not always solve the problem. It’s a fascinating conversation about the technology quietly powering every modern engine on the road today.
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.

This weekend on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, Ron talks Memorial Day travel, record numbers of drivers hitting the road, and why fuel economy is about more than just the price at the pump. From tire pressure and fuel system cleaning to overlooked maintenance that quietly wastes gas, Ron explains the simple things drivers can do right now to save fuel, avoid breakdowns, and make summer driving safer. Plus, advice on wiper blades, cooling systems, emergency road gear, and why the best defense on a busy holiday weekend is a good offense when it comes to vehicle maintenance.
Then, in the second half of the hour, Ron welcomes Benjamin Ciesielski from CRC Industries for a conversation focused on electrical connection maintenance and why clean battery terminals and electrical connectors matter more than most drivers realize. They discuss corrosion, voltage drop, intermittent electrical problems, proper cleaning techniques, and the specialty cleaners and protectants used in today’s repair shops to keep modern vehicle electronics operating reliably. It’s a practical look at one of the most overlooked maintenance areas on today’s cars and trucks.
Practical car care, real-world repair insight, and conversations that help drivers better understand the machines they depend on every day.
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.

This is a Classic Car Dr episode from the past. Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor, opens the hour discussing a question he was hearing more and more often — why are so many vehicles being recalled? Ron explains how growing vehicle complexity, electronics, software integration, and manufacturing challenges all play a role in today’s expanding recall landscape.
Along the way, Ron helps diagnose a 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis with a flashing red warning light and intermittent shutdown problem, takes on the mystery of a “possessed” 2003 Cadillac CTS with strange electrical behavior, and discusses the well-known oil consumption concerns affecting the 2006 Toyota RAV4.
Also this hour, Ron talks with Rich Dwyer of K&N Engineering about performance and maintenance, shares his thoughts on what truly makes a good repair shop, and helps track down electrical problems on a 2002 Dodge Dakota.
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.