Good Carma Podcast

Just a quick Peace Of Mind Pointers wrap up on the two episodes on brakes with Jordan Cantillano of Los Angeles Trade Tech. Be sure to check out the full episodes! Instagram YouTube Stay in touch, share your thoughts, recommend your trusted mechanic as a guest, get good tips and find out when episodes drop by subscribing! Email us at goodcarmapodcast@gmail.com and visit the website goodcarmapodcas...

In this episode of Good Carma Podcast, I continue my conversation with automotive instructor Mr. Jordan Cantillano from LA Trade Tech as we go further into brake system basics. We talk about why brake fluid should usually not be “topped off,” how brake fluid level can actually tell you about brake pad wear, and what can happen when air gets into the braking system. We also get into brake boosters,...

In this Part One episode, I’m at LATTC with professor Jordan Cantillano talking through some basic and not-so-basic information about brakes that's helpful for everyone to know. We talk about pads, rotors, what normal wear actually looks like, and how much your driving style affects how fast things wear out.  We also get into the stuff you’ll actually notice day to day—squeaking wear indicato...

Oil leaks, rough idle, P0171 lean codes, and oil contamination on the air filter can all point to one small, often overlooked component: the PCV valve. In this episode, I sit down with José Ramirez from LATTC to break down how this inexpensive part can cause surprisingly wide-ranging symptoms—and why it’s frequently missed in diagnosis. We also discuss how PCV systems vary by vehicle. On lots of c...

In this episode I will discuss five components that, depending on your car, might be very easy to replace. I'm going to talk about engine air filters, cabin air filters, fuses, ignition coils and the mass air flow (MAF) sensor. Don't Fear the Engine Cover article by Haynes If you buy this test light through my Amazon affiliate link, you can support the podcast: test light on Amazon a goo...

Cars have a lot of different fluids. It's great to know how often they need changing, and to be aware of issues related to low fluids. In this episode I talk to Kelly, a master technician at Station of the Stars in the Pico Robertson area of Los Angeles. Station of The Stars 9448 W. Pico Blvd 90035 | (310) 275-9628 I ask Kelly to walk us through some important basics about gasoline, coolant,...

Support the sponsor of this episode Vivi Sun Jewelry Vivi's gorgeous jewelry is available at a 10% discount to listeners by using code GOODCARMA at checkout! You will also receive a free small travel jewelry case with each order! Part 2 of my conversation with Ozzy dives into how to avoid common DIY repair mistakes, with a focus on doing your oil changes safely—and some practical tips for sta...

Ozzy is back! In this episode, Ozzy and I get into tips that make DIY car work go a lot smoother—and a lot less stressful.  We talk about lifting your car, changing tires, and oil changes. Not a how-to, but focusing on the small habits and safety awareness that build confidence over time. We hope this episode will help you build peace of mind before you even pick up a wrench. Stay in touch, share...

Buying a used car can be a stressful gamble. This week I am rejoined by José Ramirez (from LATTC). We discuss some things you can inspect to gain a little more peace of mind when deciding whether to buy the car or pass on it. Some topics we discuss are looking at oil quality, listening for unusual sounds, using an OBDII scanner, evaluating leaks, and road testing rotor and strut condition. Stay in...

Thanks for joining me for this episode where I share some suggestions for great tools to keep in your car. Both for emergencies and for staying on top of your car's general condition. In this episode I want to make sure everyone is aware of these great tools that may seem complicated to use but are really not so hard to learn to navigate! My Amazon Affiliate Links to suggested products! Ancel...

I'm joined by Ritchie Wimmer of Wimmer's Automotive . Ritchie is a shop owner and mentor to the next generation of technicians, teaching at Morro Bay High School. Community and integrity is important at Wimmer's Automotive, and they put it best on their website that they're "committed to the greater good of both vehicles and the people who drive them."  This week I sa...

Mr. José Ramirez from LATTC and I talk about the reasons we're adivsed to let your cars warm up for about 20-30 seconds before we start driving in the morning. Just like your body, the car needs to get fluids circulating, and breathing regulated. Your car needs to get oil pumping through all parts of the engine. Air and fuel need a minute til it's regulated and burning the most efficient...

In this episode, Mariano and I continue our conversation about how trust develops with customers. Clear explanations, transparency about what’s being recommended, and helping drivers understand how different systems in their cars actually work make all the difference. We also talk through several common situations where misunderstandings can lead to unnecessary repairs or confusion—like misunderst...

This week I meet with the wonderful Mariano from FixCarNow in West Los Angeles! We talk through many topics including what builds customer loyalty and trust, how to prioritize repairs, and some specific good maintenance tips. Local people, you can find Mariano's shop on of all streets, Motor Avenue just north of Palms Blvd. Stop by for your next service! If you come in for a full synthetic oi...

Part 2 with Ozzy!! Don't miss this great conversation where Ozzy shares more tips and info about basic car care. We touch on tires, brakes, coolant and of course oil changes. He gives great insight into the importance of keeping good service records and how it may improve the resale value of your car. Stay in touch, share your thoughts, recommend your trusted mechanic as a guest, get good tip...

Getting to know some basic maintenance steps, we can keep our cars from becoming high-maintenance. This is part one of a two-part conversation with Ozzy, a friend, a former fellow student, and an automotive technician with many years now in the field. He shares simple preventative steps that keep small issues from turning into major (i.e. $$$) repairs. Stay in touch, share your thoughts, recommend...

One of the best things to happen to the environment was the catalytic converter. It reduced the toxicity of car exhaust to a small fraction of what it used to be. Before it, cars released carbon monoxide, unburned fuel, and oxides of nitrogen directly into the air — in amounts that blanketed cities in smog and caused real health problems. The catalytic converter, when it's working right, conv...

This week I continue my conversation with the great master tech and professor Mr. José Ramirez from LATTC! We talk about a few more topics related to the most important thing you can do for your car: keeping up with regular oil changes. Stay in touch, share your thoughts, recommend your trusted mechanic as a guest, get good tips and find out when episodes drop by subscribing! Email us at goodcarma...

We don't just need our cars. Our cars need us. They depend on us to change oil on a regular basis. For people who live in cities, drive in stop and go traffic, repeatedly drive short trips, waiting for 10k miles is too long! Once a year is too long! Check out this week's episode with professor and master technician Jose Ramirez and find out the inside scoop on how critical on-time oil ch...

What do energy healers, chiropractors and automotive techs have in common? They all know the importance of alignment! Without it, you're fighting resistance. You and your car need to work harder to get through the day. Without proper alignment, too, parts can get damaged. From ankles to knees and from tires to tie rods. If you hit a curb or run over a pothole, that can affect the alignment of...

Smog testing isn't just an every-two-years thing. If your engine light comes on, the car won't pass a smog test. So really your car tests itself every day that you drive your car! Always pay attention to a check engine light.  Pull over if it's flashing. If it's a solid light, you have a chance to address an issue before it becomes more serious, more expensive, and more harmful...

Talena Handley from Girlie Garage joins this week and shares a whole bunch of super useful things we should know about overheating . Talena is the founder of Girlie Garage, an amazing company created to help empower women, teaching them about their vehicles. The company has expanded to include family and community workshops, consulting, pre-purchase inspections, and teaching STEAM-based classes on...

Cars don't just consume gas, they breathe air. The engine air filter keeps dirt and debris from pulling into the engine. There's no warning light that comes on when that filter gets dirty. Instead, problems slowly develop that can turn into expensive diagnostics and repairs for issues that could have been prevented. This week I talk with Shawn from the highly rated shop STATION OF THE ST...

With Good Carma Podcast , host Jennifer Ryan hopes to help demystify cars one conversation at a time. Each week, Jennifer speaks with an automotive professional to discuss a car topic in simple, plain language so you can understand your car with confidence. This week’s topic: tires. Your tires are the only part of your car that actually touch the road—keeping them healthy keeps you safe. In this e...

Cars are complicated, but they don't have to be a complete mystery. Have peace of mind—not panic—when it comes to your car. Good Carma Podcast  teaches you the basics in plain language so you can feel confident popping the hood and understanding what you see.  Learn about components, fluids, and systems. Find out how easy scanners really are to use, to decode what’s really going on, and what...