Ron Ananian The Car Doctor

Ron welcomes Tim McDonnell from Mitchell 1 to discuss the latest updates and improvements to Mitchell’s repair and shop management software. They talk about how modern repair information systems are evolving to help shops work smarter, document repairs better, and keep up with the increasing complexity of today’s vehicles. Good mechanics aren’t expensive — they’re pri...

Ron opens the hour with a shop story that turned into a real-world lesson about parts quality, roadside danger, and why “close enough” no longer cuts it in automotive repair. What started as a simple freeze plug replacement on a 1990 Chevy van ended with a late-night breakdown on one of North Jersey’s most unforgiving roads — a reminder that bad parts and bad luck can quick...

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor , Ron sits down with Deputy Frank Sloup—better known to millions online through his popular YouTube channel Fridays With Frank and his insightful BodyCam Breakdown series. Deputy Sloup brings real-world experience from the front lines of law enforcement, breaking down what actually happens during traffic stops, roadside encounters, and everyday drivin...

This hour on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor , Ron opens with a funny but all-too-real look at the strange little things that can disrupt the flow of a repair shop, including a months-long search for the right paper shredder and the everyday distractions that make shop life more complicated than most people realize. It’s a reminder that fixing cars is only part of the job—staying focused t...

This week on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor , Ron shares a shop story about a frustrating Chrysler 200C repair that turns into a bigger lesson: sometimes the smartest move is knowing when a car may not be worth fixing. Ron also tackles questions about modern engine oil viscosity and why sticking with manufacturer specifications — along with shorter oil change intervals and quality filters &mdas...

On this episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor , Ron sits down with Ken Miller , President of Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP-NJ) and owner of 821 Collision , for an important conversation about diminished value — the loss in a vehicle’s market value after it has been involved in an accident. Even when a vehicle is repaired properly, it may still be worth l...

On this episode of Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor , Ron opens the show with a story from the service bay about a recent repair and an important lesson for both technicians and vehicle owners: a good repair means looking at everything related to the problem — not just the obvious failure. From related components to the bigger picture of how the vehicle operates, Ron explains why careful diagnosi...

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&rsqu...

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...

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 Es...

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 mechan...

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 Che...

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 n...

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 lis...

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&...

Cold weather exposes weak links in today’s vehicles, and this hour of  Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor breaks them down. Ron explains why modern car batteries should be replaced every 4–5 years—even if they still test good—and why where you buy a battery matters as much as the warranty. He also dives into start-stop systems and CVT transmissions, explaining how they work,...

This week, Ron breaks down a story you won’t notice until your car is on the lift: the First Brands Group Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the wind-down of major North American units—impacting familiar names like Autolite and Cardone . Ron explains what this means for parts availability, backorders, rising repair costs, and why “instant gratification” is disappearing from auto rep...

With new-car payments pushing $600–$800 a month, Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor , tackles a question more drivers are asking: Is it still worth fixing an older car in 2026? The answer often comes down to  diagnosis versus guesswork . Ron explains why spending a little upfront to properly diagnose an intermittent or confusing problem can save thousands in unnecessary repairs—and help...

Ron “flies without a call screen” and it turns into a perfect shop-week story: storm prep, snowblowers, parts backorders, and why last-minute panic shopping doesn’t help if your car isn’t ready. Ron breaks down the winter checklist nobody talks about— spare tire access, jack tools, paperwork, lights, wiper linkage, and real-world preparedness. Plus, calls on: slow cab...

A Look Back at the EV Promise—and the Reality From Thanksgiving 2022, Ron revisits a candid conversation with Mark Mills of the Manhattan Institute , examining the electric-vehicle market at a pivotal moment. What unfolds is a revealing discussion about both the promise that fueled the EV push and the practical challenges that have since reshaped the conversation—costs, infrastructure,...

From June 15, 2025, Ron packs a fast-moving hour with nonstop calls, sharp questions, and practical answers. The pace is quick, the topics are wide-ranging, and there’s no shortage of real-world advice. Buckle up and settle in—this hour moves fast. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life &a...

This hour, Ron tackles a dealership dispute after a headlight replacement—when a customer later discovers the entire inner wheelwell liner missing and can’t prove who removed it. Ron explains how to use factory procedures and documentation to hold a shop accountable and why missing liners can become a real corrosion and safety issue. Plus: a rare day in the shop— three exhaust re...

Sometimes the best repair is the one you don’t make—and Ron explains why with a 2007 Mercury Milan that came in for a simple turn-signal problem. What looked like an easy bulb swap turns into a lesson in modern diagnostics, networked body modules (GEM/SJB), and the harsh reality of obsolete parts and programming limitations. Then Ron takes a call on a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica with an int...

It’s New Year’s and Ron jumps right into real-world problems: a Lexus with an intermittent no-start, brakes that squeal after new pads and rotors, dash lights and tire-pressure warnings that won’t behave, and a Kia oil leak after a quick-lube oil change. The hour wraps with a Silverado that keeps killing batteries in cold weather and Ron’s reminder to stop shopping repairs...

New cars are expensive—and keeping the one you already own isn’t cheap either. Ron shares real-world stories from the shop that show just how tight dollars are right now, including a Kia minivan nearly hit with a $1,500 repair that turned out to be loose battery terminals and a worn-out battery. The bigger lesson? You can’t diagnose anything until you fix the basics. Ron also bre...