In Wheel Time Podcast: Your Go-To Automotive Talk Show

Rodeo hats on, sleeves rolled up, and the garage door wide open—this one blends street-level car culture with the blunt truth about where the auto industry stands. We lay out why major automakers posted eye-popping EV write-downs and what that means for real buyers who just want reliability, value, and a car that fits their life. The takeaway is simple but powerful: the future isn’t either-or. Hyb...

Touch a screen or tap a button? We take you straight into the dashboard debate reshaping car design as Euro NCAP updates its safety protocols to favor physical controls for core functions like turn signals, wipers, hazards, the horn, and SOS. We unpack why tactile interfaces reduce glance time, how human factors drive safer choices at highway speeds, and where minimalist interiors hit their limits...

Craving a road trip that feels like a rolling car show with heart? We map out the Hot Rod Tour of Texas with organizers Bobby and Sabra Sparkman and dig into why this hill country run sells out fast, brings a symphony to the town square, and caps the weekend with a secret drive-in feature on the biggest screen at Stars and Stripes. From the free Thursday night kickoff in downtown Victoria to caref...

What if your tires could quietly renew their own grip as you drive? We kick off with a clear look at regenerative tire technology, unpacking how smart materials might maintain tread depth, extend tire life, and improve braking and safety in wet and dry conditions. From early patents to bold prototypes, we highlight Goodyear’s recharge concept and Michelin’s expanding tread blocks, then get honest...

Ever wonder who keeps carburetors, vacuum lines, and timing lights from fading into history? We dive into the real engine behind reliable repairs: master technicians who mentor the next generation. From GM’s retention strategies and structured apprenticeships to the practical steps a curious student can take, we map a clear path into a modern shop while preserving the old-school feel that tablets...

Ever wondered how a body shop brings a modern, sensor-packed car back to life after a crash? We sit down with Andy Noyes from asTech, driven by Reparify, to unpack the behind-the-scenes tech that turns chaos into confidence: remote OEM diagnostics, precise calibrations, and factory-level programming delivered through a simple plug-in device. From pre-repair scans that reveal hidden restraint fault...

The EV boom was supposed to be a straight shot. Instead, Detroit is eating billions in write-downs, canceling high-profile electric models, and quietly steering profits back toward gas and hybrid vehicles. We pull the curtain on the strategy shifts behind the headlines, from GM’s van retreat and Ford’s Lightning pivot to Stellantis’ sobering projections, and talk through what buyers have been sayi...

What if four words could save you thousands at the dealership? We sit down with veteran insider Randy Pressgrove to unpack 47 years of wins, wrecks, and the unfiltered truths of car buying and selling. From boardroom bravado to showroom reality, Randy pulls back the curtain on how hits are made, how flops happen, and how regular buyers can tip the deal back in their favor. We trace the anatomy of...

Want a drive that actually feels like driving? We chart Texas routes that reward focus and finesse—FM 170 along Big Bend Ranch State Park with vast desert sight lines, the short-but-epic Palo Duro descent into red rock, Devil’s Backbone across Hill Country ridges, the razor-tight Park Road 37 by Medina Lake, and the legendary Twisted Sisters with its switchbacks, blind crests, and breathtaking ran...

Headlines shouted about a clean break from greenhouse gas rules, but we cut through the noise to ask what this policy swing actually means for people who buy, build, and maintain cars. We walk through the EPA endangerment repeal’s potential impact on standards, pricing, and long-term planning, then shift into the only lens that really matters: how drivers live. Short commutes, home charging, and q...

Think your state has the worst drivers? We put that assumption to the test with WalletHub’s 2026 rankings, breaking down where it’s cheapest, safest, and most convenient to own and drive a car—and why it rarely matches what your daily commute feels like. With WalletHub’s Chip Lupo, we unpack a clear four-part framework: cost of ownership and maintenance, traffic and infrastructure, safety, and acc...

Safety isn’t a slogan when streets get crowded and celebrations kick off. We sit down with a Texas Department of Public Safety sergeant for an unfiltered look at Mardi Gras patrols in Galveston—how a small island city scales up with state troopers and partner agencies to keep families safe, traffic moving, and DWIs down without killing the vibe. It’s a masterclass in proactive policing and the pow...

Sand roosts. Moving cities. Split-second calls. We sit down with Mercedes Lilienthal for an unfiltered look at the Dakar Rally—what it is, how it really works, and why accuracy can matter as much as speed. From Saudi bivouacs that can rebuild cars overnight to the reimagined stock class spearheaded by Defender, Mercedes shows how a modern OEM program comes together under tight regulations, compres...

Think Mardi Gras begins and ends on Bourbon Street? We hit the road to map the best celebrations across Texas—Galveston’s towering floats and nighttime crowds, Beaumont’s growing footprint with room for families, Texas City’s daytime routes, Seguin’s golf cart charm, and San Antonio’s Fiesta Texas makeover that turns the whole park purple, green, and gold. We also spotlight the small-town sparkle...

Hybrids aren’t the backup plan anymore—they’re the headline. We break down Consumer Reports’ 2026 winners, from the Civic Hybrid’s sharp steering and 44 mpg to the Camry’s 48 mpg and old-school tactile controls that make daily driving easier. Subaru’s Crosstrek and Forester win on ride quality, visibility, and confidence in bad weather, while Toyota’s mid-sized SUV pick nails cargo space and comfo...

The ground just shifted under the auto industry, and we take you straight to the dealer floor to show what’s really moving metal. With the $7,500 EV tax credit gone and emissions targets easing, automakers are recalibrating fast—dialing up hybrids, testing extended-range EVs, and even hinting at new life for V8 performance where demand is loudest. We connect policy changes to showroom choices, pri...

Step onto the show floor at the 43rd Houston Auto Show and you’ll find a surprise: a show within the show. We sit down with curator Ben Miller, the connector who rebuilds a forty-car classic lineup every year from scratch—mixing concours-grade muscle, JDM unicorns, and offbeat imports to keep the display fresh, diverse, and unforgettable. Ben shares how he scouts “undercover” at Autorama, Texas El...

Shoppers don’t just want specs—they want confidence. From the floor of the Houston Auto Show, we sit down with Team Gilman’s Acura lead, Marla Cardenas, to dig into what turns casual browsing into informed decisions, and why a calm, pressure‑free venue helps families and first‑time buyers ask better questions. The Integra Type S brings the sport, the NSX brings the sparkle, and the new ADX shows w...

Want a truck or Jeep that turns heads without turning your commute into a chore? We’re live from the Houston Auto Show with the crew from Texas Truckworks to map out upgrades that deliver real value: two-inch leveling kits for a cleaner stance, right-size tires for comfort and grip, and bed covers that earn their keep every single day. We get tactical about wheels that won’t punish ride quality, s...

The line forms where the growl echoes. We’re set up beside Camp Jeep at the Houston Auto Show, and the first thing you notice is the 30-degree hill and the calm voice of a pro driver explaining exactly how a Wrangler keeps its cool. We brought the track manager, Nick Hoy, into the hot seat to decode the six-obstacle course, the Wrangler 392’s idle climb, and why a single button for sway bar discon...

Engines echo, tires climb, and families light up as we go live from the 43rd Houston Auto Show—where test drives, ride-alongs, and a boat hall next door turn the day into a full-on adventure. We walk you through Camp Jeep and the Ram Truck track, then step outside for Polaris side-by-sides and a monster truck ride that’s already creating legends in the lobby. Inside, the floor is packed: mainstrea...

The cold rolled in, the guest line went sideways, and we decided to make the most valuable hour you’ll spend before hitting an icy road. We dig into the moves that keep you safe when bridges glaze over and confidence outruns grip: how to plan your route, why following distance is everything, and the simple car kit that turns a breakdown into an inconvenience instead of a crisis. From there, we get...

New-car prices keep climbing, loan terms keep stretching, and shoppers are left to figure out what “value” really means. We bring on Alex from U.S. News & World Report to unpack the Best Cars for the Money awards, where expert road tests meet five-year ownership costs and real transaction data. The result is a practical shortlist of vehicles you can actually buy and enjoy without fearing the n...

Craving a car fix without a road trip? We spin a different kind of tour: five destination-worthy automotive museums that chart the arc from brass era pioneers to Hollywood legends, then we put a cutting-edge EV under the microscope. Our journey starts with the sprawling Gilmore campus and rolls through Tacoma’s LeMay, LA’s Petersen, and the Henry Ford’s sweeping narrative of innovation before land...

Fires, fixes, and fumbles: we open with hard facts on Ford’s engine block heater recall affecting more than 119,000 vehicles, what symptoms to watch for, and why the only safe move is to leave the plug alone until the dealer repair is done. We also spotlight Land Rover’s labeling error and explain how a “simple” sticker can pause sales and complicate safety compliance. From there, we jump into a s...