Bumper to Bumper Podcast

Can changing your transmission fluid actually cause the transmission to fail? And if your vehicle already has 100,000+ miles, is it safer to leave it alone? Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down one of the most misunderstood maintenance decisions vehicle owners face: transmission service.

🚗 Need a transmission or auto repair diagnosis in Arizona? Schedule an appointment with Tri-City Transmission & Auto Repair 👉 https://tricitytransmission.com/The monthly payment isn't the full cost of owning a car. Maintenance is coming and as the miles add up, those expenses can get much bigger than many vehicle owners expect. Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down what you should realis...

Can a simple car modification actually create a much more expensive problem somewhere else? Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down the hidden tradeoffs behind common vehicle modifications including aftermarket air filters and cold air intakes, exhaust systems, oversized tires, deep transmission pans, lift kits, lowering kits, and other popular “upgrades.”

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down what actually goes into diagnosing a vehicle and why simply pulling a trouble code doesn't tell you what's wrong. They explain how check engine codes work, why some vehicles can have serious problems without storing a code, and how replacing parts based on a scan can quickly turn into an expensive guessi...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave and Jon break down how to buy a good used car without getting burned. They cover the ideal mileage range, why a clean Carfax doesn’t tell the whole story, why a pre-purchase inspection matters, and the types of used cars they recommend avoiding altogether. You’ll also learn why salvage titles, auction cars, mechanic-owned vehicles, and car flip...

What car should you actually buy if reliability and cost of ownership matter? In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave and Jon break down the car brands they see every day from an auto repair shop’s perspective. They compare brands like Toyota, Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Dodge, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, and more. They also dive into which vehicles seem to spend th...

Ford’s 10R80 transmission has become a major talking point among F-150 owners...but if Ford knows there’s a problem, why hasn’t there been a recall? In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down the problems surrounding the Ford 10R80 transmission, including the common CDF drum failure, why some transmissions are failing at relatively low mileage, and the d...

If your Nissan has been diagnosed with a P17F0, P17F1, or P17F4 CVT code, don't agree to a transmission replacement until you watch this episode. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, transmission experts Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle explain why these Nissan CVT judder codes don't always mean your transmission has failed. They break down real-world cases where customers were quote...

🚗 Not sure if your car is worth fixing? Get an honest second opinion from the experts at Tri-City Transmission & Auto Repair 👉 https://tricitytransmission.comShould you repair your car or replace it? It's one of the biggest financial decisions most drivers face and the answer isn't always what you think. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle expl...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle explain how CV axles (constant velocity axles) fail, the warning signs of a bad axle shaft, and why replacing a quality factory axle with a cheap aftermarket part can create even bigger problems. Whether you drive a Honda CR-V, Ford, Jeep, or virtually any front-wheel-drive vehicle, understanding how CV joints and axle sha...

Is your car getting worse gas mileage than it used to? Before assuming something is wrong, there are a few things every driver should check. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle explain what actually causes poor fuel economy, how to accurately calculate your MPG, and when a drop in gas mileage is serious enough to have your vehicle inspected. Follow Bumper to...

Is your Ford F-150 10-speed transmission shifting hard, jerking, slipping, or acting strange? Before you approve a $10,000 transmission replacement, watch this episode. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, transmission experts Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle explain the most common problems with the Ford 10R80 transmission found in the Ford F-150, Ford Mustang, Ford Expedition, and other Fo...

Have you ever asked an auto repair shop, "What's your hourly rate?" According to Dave and Jon, that might be the wrong question. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, we break down how most automotive technicians are paid and why it can directly impact the quality of your repair. From flat-rate pay systems to technician incentives, overselling, warranty work, cutting corne...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down why many manufacturers claim transmissions have lifetime fluid, why that claim can be misleading, and what transmission builders actually see in the real world. From BMW and ZF transmissions to Toyota marketing tactics and modern CVTs, we cover what every car owner should know before skipping transmission mainte...

Most radiator hoses DON’T need replacing at 80k miles. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave and Jon break down why modern coolant hoses last far longer than most people think and how unnecessary hose replacements can actually create new problems. We explain:Why factory spring clamps matterHow modern hose materials changed everythingWhen hoses actually need replacementWhy shops sti...

Does changing your air filter actually improve gas mileage? In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down one of the biggest automotive myths and explain why modern fuel-injected vehicles don’t work the way most people think. From fuel economy misconceptions to over-serviced air filters, they explain what actually affects MPG and what shops may be overselli...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave and John from Tri-City Transmission & Auto Repair in Tempe, Arizona break down a costly and often overlooked issue: glycol contamination in automatic transmissions. What happens when your cooling system and transmission system mix? It can lead to serious damage and in many cases, a full transmission replacement We cover:What glycol contamin...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave and Jon break down one of the biggest questions drivers have: Can you actually trust your technician? They dive into the difference between dishonesty vs. lack of competency, why some diagnoses go wrong, and how customers can protect themselves when dealing with auto repair shops. If you’ve ever felt unsure at a shop or worried about getting ta...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down one of the most feared (and expensive) car problems: transmission issues. But there’s good news. Many drivers assume their transmission is failing when the problem might actually be something much simpler. Dave and Jon share real shop experiences explaining why 70% of the time people think they need a transmissi...

Many cars today have plastic belly pans and undercovers protecting the underside of the vehicle. Most drivers don’t realize how important they actually are. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down why these plastic shields exist, what happens when they’re missing, and how something as small as a $45 piece of plastic can cause major problems if ignored...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and John Riggle from Tri-City Transmission & Auto Repair break down the real signs of transmission problems and the common symptoms people misinterpret. Before you assume you need a brand-new transmission (and a massive bill), this episode explains what to watch and listen for. We Cover:What does it mean if your car won’t move when p...

In this episode, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down one of the most common (and frustrating) problems drivers face: mysterious car noises. From wheel bearing hums and brake squeals to suspension pops, motor mount vibrations, and drivetrain howls. We explain what these sounds usually mean, how to describe them to your mechanic, and when a noise is just annoying versus when it’s a serious safety...

A customer brought in a 2012 Mini Cooper with wind noise. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and John Riggle break down how professional technicians diagnose hard-to-find vehicle noises and what drivers should realistically expect from the repair process. They cover:Why noise diagnostics are some of the hardest problems in auto repairHow tools like smoke machines and ther...

Confused about new vs remanufactured vs rebuilt transmissions ? You’re not alone — and this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast clears it all up. In this episode, Dave Riccio and John Riggle break down the real differences between new, rebuilt, remanufactured, reconditioned, and recycled transmissions , and explain why these terms are often misleading or loosely defined in the automotive indus...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, professional mechanics Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down the top 5 do-it-yourself car maintenance projects and explain which repairs actually make sense to tackle at home and which ones can get you into trouble. We cover common DIY auto repairs like oil changes, brake jobs, sensors, wiper blades, bulbs, and air & cabin filters, while sharing...