1 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:05,640 Speaker 1: You're listening to Ron and Nanian The Car Doctor, nationally 2 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:09,240 Speaker 1: recognized auto expert trusted by Mechanics, Weekend wrenchers and vehicle 3 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:12,280 Speaker 1: owners alike. Ron brings over forty years of hands on 4 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: experience and deep industry insight to help you understand your vehicle. 5 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:19,160 Speaker 1: Join The Conversation live every Saturday from two to four 6 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: pm Eastern by calling eight five to five five six 7 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:24,919 Speaker 1: zero nine nine zero zero. That's eight five to five 8 00:00:25,079 --> 00:00:28,320 Speaker 1: five six zero ninety nine hundred, your direct line to 9 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:33,400 Speaker 1: honest answers and practical advice. Looking for more, visit cardoctorshow 10 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:37,320 Speaker 1: dot com for past episodes, repair tips, and Ron's latest insights, 11 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 1: and be sure to subscribe to the Car Doctor YouTube 12 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:44,280 Speaker 1: channel for exclusive videos, real repair footage and more. Now 13 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:47,479 Speaker 1: start your engines. The Car Doctor is in the garage 14 00:00:47,560 --> 00:00:50,239 Speaker 1: and ready to take your call. 15 00:00:50,479 --> 00:00:55,200 Speaker 2: Hey, here we go again. Hello everyone, welcome. I'm Moranini 16 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:57,840 Speaker 2: and the Car Doctor. I want to congratulate you. If 17 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:00,319 Speaker 2: you're a vehicle owner, and you probably are, that's why 18 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:02,520 Speaker 2: you're here. Maybe you're thinking of becoming a vehicle owner. 19 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 2: But if you're a vehicle owner, you just made money 20 00:01:05,480 --> 00:01:09,680 Speaker 2: this week. You did because that car in your driveway 21 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:13,360 Speaker 2: just became worth more. It's all over the news this week, 22 00:01:13,440 --> 00:01:15,600 Speaker 2: right everywhere you look, the headlines, you're talking about it, 23 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:21,000 Speaker 2: you know, because of tariffs and supply chains issues, technology, software, 24 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:23,800 Speaker 2: electric vehicles, everything, all of it. It's just driving the 25 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:27,400 Speaker 2: automotive transportation sector right through the roof. And that means 26 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:29,039 Speaker 2: that car out and the driveway is worth a little 27 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 2: bit more each and every day. 28 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:30,760 Speaker 3: It really is. 29 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 2: I don't know if it appreciates anymore, might go up 30 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:38,520 Speaker 2: in value because the replacement cost is climbing. So what 31 00:01:38,560 --> 00:01:40,000 Speaker 2: does this mean when you go out and climb into 32 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:42,119 Speaker 2: the car on Monday morning to go go to work. Well, 33 00:01:42,120 --> 00:01:46,200 Speaker 2: here's what it means. That car in your driveway hasn't 34 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 2: been something you'll replace every four to five years anymore. 35 00:01:49,040 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 2: Hasn't been for a while. But it is probably not 36 00:01:52,800 --> 00:01:55,240 Speaker 2: something you're going to replace every ten to twelve years. 37 00:01:55,280 --> 00:01:58,080 Speaker 2: Think about that, ten to twelve years on the same vehicle. 38 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:00,520 Speaker 2: And a lot of that has to do with that 39 00:02:00,640 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 2: because of the cost of replacement. You know what the 40 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:08,600 Speaker 2: industry tells you it's worth. Oh, I can't put three 41 00:02:08,680 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 2: grand into this car, it's only worth six. That doesn't 42 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 2: mean anything that's a bunch of horse hockey. You got 43 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:17,200 Speaker 2: to go look at the replacement value. What's it going 44 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 2: to cost you to replace that vehicle? We had a 45 00:02:20,760 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 2: car this week. We had a what was it? It 46 00:02:22,760 --> 00:02:25,799 Speaker 2: was a sixteen or seventeen Nissan Ultimate, A nice car, 47 00:02:25,880 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 2: had forty thousand miles on it. Forty mile ten year 48 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:33,480 Speaker 2: old car needs four wheel brakes and two front tires, 49 00:02:33,480 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 2: and an alignment, a couple other odds and ends. It 50 00:02:36,240 --> 00:02:38,120 Speaker 2: needs three grand worth of work, is what it came 51 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:42,840 Speaker 2: down to. The owner individual. He hemmed and hard. He 52 00:02:42,880 --> 00:02:44,359 Speaker 2: thought about it a couple of days and went back 53 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:46,240 Speaker 2: and forth. He came out with four paragraphs and a 54 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 2: text note to me about why he wasn't going to 55 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:51,160 Speaker 2: fix it because it's cheaper for him to go out 56 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 2: and spend twenty five to thirty on a replacement used vehicle, 57 00:02:56,639 --> 00:03:02,440 Speaker 2: which I have. I think he's wrong, but okay, you 58 00:03:02,480 --> 00:03:05,080 Speaker 2: know it's it's you got to think of the numbers. 59 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:07,120 Speaker 2: Thirty grands a lot of money. And I'm not saying 60 00:03:07,160 --> 00:03:09,520 Speaker 2: never buy a new car. I'm just saying, you know, 61 00:03:09,560 --> 00:03:13,320 Speaker 2: a forty mile ten year old car, simpler technology technology 62 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:15,920 Speaker 2: that the repair shop knows what's going to fail in 63 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 2: the next couple of years. You know, It's funny. I 64 00:03:19,320 --> 00:03:22,000 Speaker 2: think a lot of you are trying to avoid repair bills. 65 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:24,679 Speaker 2: So you avoid repair bills by taking on car payments, 66 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 2: and the car payments exceed the repair bills. And I'm 67 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 2: not saying every car is worth fixing, but I'm saying 68 00:03:30,600 --> 00:03:34,000 Speaker 2: the greater majority of them are. And I think in 69 00:03:34,040 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 2: a lot of cases, you know, you've got to start 70 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:38,440 Speaker 2: to think to yourself. You know, hey, I'm gonna skip 71 00:03:38,520 --> 00:03:40,640 Speaker 2: the oil change this month. I'm gonna squeeze another thirty 72 00:03:40,720 --> 00:03:43,960 Speaker 2: days out of it. Why what are you saving? What 73 00:03:44,040 --> 00:03:47,800 Speaker 2: are you really saving? Because that skipped oil change, that 74 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 2: little vibration that you say, ah, I'll wait till next month, 75 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:53,440 Speaker 2: you know, and then next month comes along and well 76 00:03:53,520 --> 00:03:55,520 Speaker 2: something else? Can you know, I can get one more 77 00:03:55,560 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 2: month out of it? And then now you're three months overdue, 78 00:03:58,880 --> 00:04:02,360 Speaker 2: and then all of a sudden, something catastrophic happens that 79 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 2: could have been prevented, and now it's not a three 80 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:08,360 Speaker 2: thousand dollar repair, Now it's that thirty thousand dollars vehicle 81 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:11,400 Speaker 2: replacement or forty you know, they said in the news 82 00:04:11,440 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 2: this week, the price of the average new car does 83 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:20,800 Speaker 2: anybody want to guess, raise your hand right, fifty grand, 84 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 2: fifty grand for transportation, fifty grand to do something a 85 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:29,200 Speaker 2: horse's saddle and a beg of hey did one hundred 86 00:04:29,279 --> 00:04:31,560 Speaker 2: years ago. Boy, that's technology for you. We sure have 87 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:32,160 Speaker 2: come a long while. 88 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:34,680 Speaker 1: I also read that the average loan is now seven years. 89 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:38,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I've seen some cases tom where they're talking 90 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:43,599 Speaker 2: about eight year loans. And the answer I got. I 91 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 2: talked to a couple of dealership people about it, and 92 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:47,560 Speaker 2: they said, yeah, but that's why we're coming out with longer, 93 00:04:47,920 --> 00:04:52,440 Speaker 2: extended warranty policies. And I said, but they cost more. 94 00:04:52,480 --> 00:04:56,000 Speaker 2: He goes, yeah, but it's and nobody can see the 95 00:04:56,040 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 2: cycle that this is creating. This is creating a cycle 96 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 2: where they're coming up with a product that costs more. 97 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:07,520 Speaker 2: They're making you guys pay for it over a longer 98 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:15,080 Speaker 2: period with a warranty that costs more. Cars have become 99 00:05:15,160 --> 00:05:18,159 Speaker 2: such a huge profit center. I wouldn't be surprised if 100 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 2: it's more expensive to own and maintain a car than 101 00:05:21,040 --> 00:05:23,440 Speaker 2: it is to go to a football game on a 102 00:05:23,480 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 2: regular basis. And I hate to say it like that, 103 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:28,480 Speaker 2: but the cost of supporting a sports team by being 104 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:33,280 Speaker 2: a fan has risen to the point of insanity as well. 105 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:36,159 Speaker 2: I've been saying it for years, the cheapest car you'll 106 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 2: ever own, it's the one that's already sitting in your driveway. 107 00:05:39,279 --> 00:05:40,920 Speaker 2: And people ask me that all the time, and I 108 00:05:41,520 --> 00:05:43,719 Speaker 2: kind of come back with a different question. I go, yeah, 109 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:45,480 Speaker 2: the cheapest car you own is the one in your driveway. 110 00:05:45,480 --> 00:05:48,279 Speaker 2: The question is how healthy is it. Do we spend 111 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:50,840 Speaker 2: one thousand dollars a year maintaining that car or do 112 00:05:50,839 --> 00:05:55,040 Speaker 2: we make an eight hundred dollars a month payment. You know, 113 00:05:55,120 --> 00:05:57,719 Speaker 2: it's a different conversation, and it's a trend that's really 114 00:05:57,800 --> 00:05:59,760 Speaker 2: kind of caught my attention because people are starting to 115 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 2: note that, and my conversation goes around, but what are 116 00:06:02,880 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 2: we spending on? What are we maintaining on the car? 117 00:06:05,279 --> 00:06:09,680 Speaker 2: What are we doing to maintain that car? Because the 118 00:06:09,720 --> 00:06:13,560 Speaker 2: bottom line is we still need transportation. You've got to 119 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:16,760 Speaker 2: have dependable wheels. You're a contractor, you're a family, you're 120 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 2: a small business. A vehicle isn't a luxury. It's a 121 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:23,840 Speaker 2: tool that transports the family, that earns the paycheck, that 122 00:06:24,839 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 2: keeps repair shops like mine busy. Right, But that's where 123 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:31,320 Speaker 2: we kind of come into the story because our job 124 00:06:31,440 --> 00:06:34,360 Speaker 2: is changed. We're not just changing brake pads anymore. We're 125 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:39,560 Speaker 2: not just doing diagnostics. We're not just changing oil. We're 126 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:44,320 Speaker 2: maintaining your investment if we're doing it right. And every 127 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 2: maintenance decision that we make matters, every direction we take 128 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 2: you matters, every fluid change, matter, every software updates. You know, 129 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:54,760 Speaker 2: And I got to tell you, you know what worries me. 130 00:06:54,880 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 2: It's not the technology. It's not hybrids, it's not evs, 131 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:02,480 Speaker 2: it's not software. What worries me is that more and 132 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 2: more of you are convinced that repairing a car isn't 133 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:10,600 Speaker 2: worth it. And I think you're wrong. Not in every case. 134 00:07:10,640 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 2: I think in the greater majority of cases, I think 135 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:15,960 Speaker 2: you're wrong. I think more cars are worth repairing. Because 136 00:07:16,000 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 2: the other side of this is, do you know what 137 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:22,880 Speaker 2: there's a shortage of in this industry right now? Used cars? 138 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:26,960 Speaker 2: And I say that because used cars are at a premium. 139 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 2: They're charging more for used cars of certain models than 140 00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:36,120 Speaker 2: they are for similar models of new because less technology, 141 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 2: easier to understand, easier to connect with, more affordable in 142 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 2: certain instances. There's a whole it's all upside down and backwards. 143 00:07:44,720 --> 00:07:50,120 Speaker 2: Bottom line, your mechanics got to be doing the right thing. 144 00:07:50,120 --> 00:07:53,600 Speaker 2: They've got to be maintaining that car over. 145 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:54,040 Speaker 4: The long haul. 146 00:07:54,080 --> 00:07:57,600 Speaker 2: They've got to be doing their diagnostics. A professional shop 147 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:00,480 Speaker 2: is worth every dollar you pay them provide they're doing 148 00:08:00,520 --> 00:08:03,520 Speaker 2: the right thing. And that's what I try to talk 149 00:08:03,560 --> 00:08:05,160 Speaker 2: about each and every week. Here for you. If you're 150 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:06,840 Speaker 2: new to this show, and thank you for being here. 151 00:08:07,440 --> 00:08:09,480 Speaker 2: You know I'm going to answer your repair questions. I'm 152 00:08:09,480 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 2: going to help separate the fact from fiction. I've got 153 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 2: no act to grind. I don't care. I think everybody's 154 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:19,200 Speaker 2: susceptible to make mistakes, and I think, you know, I 155 00:08:19,200 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 2: think there's a lot wrong with this industry. I think 156 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:22,760 Speaker 2: there's a lot right with this industry. But now more 157 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 2: than ever, the smartest money you can spend isn't on 158 00:08:27,080 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 2: a new vehicle. It's taking care of the one you 159 00:08:29,480 --> 00:08:33,559 Speaker 2: already have. And I believe that. And I'm not saying 160 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:35,920 Speaker 2: never buy a new car, but I'm just saying, if 161 00:08:35,920 --> 00:08:37,880 Speaker 2: you've got a ten year old car with forty thousand 162 00:08:37,880 --> 00:08:39,520 Speaker 2: miles on if you've got a ten year old car 163 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:42,120 Speaker 2: with eighty thousand miles on it, if you've got a 164 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 2: five year old car with fifty thousand miles on it. Eh, 165 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 2: maybe it's time I get a new one. You know, 166 00:08:47,960 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 2: maybe you're one of those people that you know, fifty 167 00:08:50,320 --> 00:08:53,800 Speaker 2: grand is like spending a nickel. Okay, But for the 168 00:08:53,840 --> 00:08:56,920 Speaker 2: majority of Americans, for the majority of the motoring public, 169 00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:00,640 Speaker 2: fifty grand's a lot of money here and win and 170 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:03,079 Speaker 2: how do we want to spend it? I've been saying 171 00:09:03,080 --> 00:09:06,000 Speaker 2: it for a while, Right, You've got to pay attention 172 00:09:06,040 --> 00:09:09,120 Speaker 2: to the car. Cars whisper before they scream. They'll tell 173 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:12,280 Speaker 2: you what's wrong. You just got to listen. And it 174 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:16,439 Speaker 2: really comes back to that if you hear the screams 175 00:09:16,480 --> 00:09:18,760 Speaker 2: before they get real loud, you can get a little 176 00:09:18,800 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 2: bit more mileage out of that car. And that's what 177 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:23,080 Speaker 2: I'm here to do. I'm running Enie in the car doctor. 178 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 2: I'll be back right after this to help you do that. 179 00:09:25,200 --> 00:09:36,559 Speaker 4: Don't go away. 180 00:09:37,840 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 2: Let's go over to Pennsylvania. Let's talk to Tim. Tim 181 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:43,439 Speaker 2: twenty three Hundre Civic. What's going on, Tim? How are you? 182 00:09:44,600 --> 00:09:50,079 Speaker 3: I am? Well, you've probably answered this question a thousand 183 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:53,440 Speaker 3: times and it comes and goes based on the price 184 00:09:53,480 --> 00:09:58,680 Speaker 3: of casoline. But this eighty eight octane versus eighty seven? 185 00:10:01,000 --> 00:10:04,240 Speaker 3: Is that something that we should just stay away from 186 00:10:04,320 --> 00:10:08,760 Speaker 3: and not tempt the grim reaper of automobiles? 187 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 2: How old was your last car? Tim? 188 00:10:13,000 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 3: Well, my current car, the one before it. 189 00:10:15,240 --> 00:10:17,319 Speaker 2: The one before this? This is a twenty three? Right, 190 00:10:17,320 --> 00:10:18,560 Speaker 2: so this car is three years old? 191 00:10:19,840 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 4: Yeah? 192 00:10:20,240 --> 00:10:22,320 Speaker 2: How how old was the last one? The one that 193 00:10:22,600 --> 00:10:23,240 Speaker 2: this replaced? 194 00:10:24,240 --> 00:10:26,120 Speaker 3: What years? Seven years old? 195 00:10:26,200 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 2: Seven years old? Why'd you replace it? Why did you 196 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 2: replace it? 197 00:10:33,960 --> 00:10:37,560 Speaker 3: Actually? Uh, that's a good question. 198 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:43,160 Speaker 2: That's why I'm here, brother, So you know, and then 199 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:44,320 Speaker 2: how old before that? 200 00:10:45,920 --> 00:10:49,000 Speaker 3: Well, normally I'm on about a seven to eight year cycle. 201 00:10:49,120 --> 00:10:52,280 Speaker 2: Okay, Can I just just bear with me? Right, there's 202 00:10:52,280 --> 00:10:55,560 Speaker 2: a reason, there's a method to my madness. Right, so 203 00:10:56,200 --> 00:10:59,720 Speaker 2: you know what what the twenty three Honda cost? How 204 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 2: to be? What twenty five? 205 00:11:02,559 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 3: About twenty five? Yes? Right? 206 00:11:04,320 --> 00:11:06,120 Speaker 2: And what did what did the one that was seven 207 00:11:06,200 --> 00:11:08,679 Speaker 2: years old? What did that cost? You probably buy used 208 00:11:08,720 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 2: cars a couple of two three year old used cars 209 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:11,880 Speaker 2: kind of a thing, or do you buy them now? 210 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 3: I buy them new? 211 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:16,319 Speaker 2: Okay? Do you remember what the one before this cost? 212 00:11:16,400 --> 00:11:18,320 Speaker 3: Twenty two? 213 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 2: Okay, so twenty one, twenty two, so we're at forty six, 214 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:24,080 Speaker 2: and what the one before that cost probably another. 215 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:26,960 Speaker 3: Twenty yeah, probably yeah. 216 00:11:27,040 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 2: Do you realize and that goes back what, let's say 217 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:37,280 Speaker 2: twenty years, yes, okay, and you've had repair bills, right, maintenance. 218 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:41,840 Speaker 3: Maintenance, yes, repairs on the hondas you know, not often, yeah, 219 00:11:41,880 --> 00:11:45,360 Speaker 3: maintenance not yeah, breaks tires, oil changes, but that's you know, 220 00:11:45,440 --> 00:11:46,719 Speaker 3: that's still cost. 221 00:11:46,559 --> 00:11:49,520 Speaker 2: Right, right? Do you real life? You spend sixty five 222 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:54,559 Speaker 2: thousand dollars on three cars over twenty years, and I'm 223 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:58,680 Speaker 2: still driving my O four suburban with one hundred thousand 224 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:01,120 Speaker 2: miles on it that I paid forty four thousand dollars 225 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:04,679 Speaker 2: for when it was no and the most major repair 226 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 2: I had to put was a trans in it in 227 00:12:07,800 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 2: probably ten years ago now. But my point becomes why 228 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 2: am I still driving a Why am I now driving 229 00:12:14,880 --> 00:12:20,560 Speaker 2: a twenty two year old vehicle? Because I didn't worry 230 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:25,160 Speaker 2: about one octane point. To be honest with you, I 231 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:31,080 Speaker 2: generally fill the suburban up with premium. I like a 232 00:12:31,120 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 2: premium fuel. I don't do it every time, I still 233 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:35,400 Speaker 2: do it today when gas is close to you know, 234 00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:41,199 Speaker 2: premium is close to five dollars a gallon. Because Mercedes, BMW, 235 00:12:41,559 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 2: Audi all the high end European cars require premium. Cadillac 236 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 2: requires premium in most of their models, Lexus requires premium 237 00:12:49,600 --> 00:12:51,280 Speaker 2: in most of their models. And I have a point. 238 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:56,240 Speaker 2: The point is that all these cars that require premium 239 00:12:56,280 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 2: because of octane, they're required that premium because of octane, 240 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:05,200 Speaker 2: because of performance that the manufacturer puts in it. And 241 00:13:05,240 --> 00:13:08,080 Speaker 2: to maintain that performance level, they have to keep that 242 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:11,880 Speaker 2: engine clean. There are more fuel additives and cleaners in 243 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:16,800 Speaker 2: a premium fuel than in a regular Everybody argues the 244 00:13:16,840 --> 00:13:18,920 Speaker 2: point about, you don't need to run premium in a vehicle, 245 00:13:18,920 --> 00:13:20,520 Speaker 2: You don't need to run ninety three octane in a 246 00:13:20,559 --> 00:13:23,200 Speaker 2: vehicle that only requires eighty eight. But you get better, 247 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 2: you get better fuel cleaning, and the cleaner you keep 248 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:28,600 Speaker 2: that engine, the longer it's going to run. I'm still 249 00:13:28,679 --> 00:13:32,560 Speaker 2: driving my twenty two year old suburban. So my point is, yes, 250 00:13:32,640 --> 00:13:36,199 Speaker 2: you're right, forget about the eighty seven, put the eighty 251 00:13:36,200 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 2: eight in it, use a fuel system cleaner. All right, 252 00:13:40,559 --> 00:13:43,560 Speaker 2: and listen, some of this is a personal preference, tim 253 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:45,920 Speaker 2: you know, you just you know, we're at that age 254 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:47,440 Speaker 2: where hey, we just want to trive a new car 255 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:51,440 Speaker 2: every six or seven years. I get that, right, But 256 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:53,959 Speaker 2: as I said in the open, look at the price 257 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:57,760 Speaker 2: of cars. Yeah, you know, what's that Civic going to 258 00:13:57,840 --> 00:13:59,680 Speaker 2: cost in seven years? I bet you that Civic is 259 00:13:59,679 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 2: thirty five forts? And is that going to be something 260 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:07,679 Speaker 2: you want to do? Aren't you better off trying to 261 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:09,760 Speaker 2: drive it longer by just doing a little bit more 262 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:15,600 Speaker 2: maintenance because as you said, the Hondas don't break bus. 263 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:18,240 Speaker 3: Yeah. What I normally do is I kind of compare 264 00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:23,000 Speaker 3: and you know when the when the used Hondas are 265 00:14:23,320 --> 00:14:26,080 Speaker 3: up in value like they are now, you know, and 266 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:29,120 Speaker 3: they they do kind of hold their value. I kind 267 00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:31,920 Speaker 3: of analyze how much money I've spent over the lifespan 268 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:35,800 Speaker 3: of me owning the car, right, and you know, there 269 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 3: seems to be a sweet spot with the with the 270 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 3: Honda Civics especially and maybe other automobiles. But my experience 271 00:14:44,440 --> 00:14:48,120 Speaker 3: has only been with Civics to wear that sweet spot 272 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:51,680 Speaker 3: where you know, you get maximum trade in value, right. 273 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 2: But you still have to lay that money out. Let 274 00:14:55,280 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 2: me ask you, what what is it? 275 00:14:57,200 --> 00:14:57,600 Speaker 4: Is it the. 276 00:14:57,640 --> 00:15:01,640 Speaker 2: Trade in value against the new one that makes you 277 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:03,200 Speaker 2: do it, or you just get to a point where 278 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:05,680 Speaker 2: it's seven years old. I'm such and such old, and 279 00:15:05,680 --> 00:15:07,400 Speaker 2: I just I just want a new car. What makes 280 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:07,840 Speaker 2: you do it? 281 00:15:09,080 --> 00:15:11,400 Speaker 3: That's part of it. You know, once they get up 282 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 3: a certain number of years and miles. You know, my 283 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:19,000 Speaker 3: wife and I travel a lot, and honestly, I drive 284 00:15:19,440 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 3: the Civic. I mean, I've been all over the country 285 00:15:21,680 --> 00:15:25,920 Speaker 3: in it, and I don't want anything that's going to 286 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 3: interrupt my trip. So there's there's convenience there, and I'm 287 00:15:29,520 --> 00:15:32,520 Speaker 3: willing to spend a little bit of money for a 288 00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:33,680 Speaker 3: peace of mind. You know. 289 00:15:33,920 --> 00:15:37,920 Speaker 2: See that's a valid reason. And I haven't you know 290 00:15:37,960 --> 00:15:41,040 Speaker 2: what I was kind of fishing for that, So thank you. 291 00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 2: You know, that's the reason that we have to look 292 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 2: at convenience, safety, reliability. They get to a point now 293 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 2: if you said to me, Ron, you know, I'm retired, 294 00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:53,640 Speaker 2: I live in my hometown, I you know, corner store, milk, 295 00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 2: grocery store, church, et cetera. I put forty fifty thousand 296 00:15:57,800 --> 00:15:59,480 Speaker 2: miles on this car over seven years, and then I 297 00:15:59,480 --> 00:16:02,200 Speaker 2: get rid of it because it's seven years old. I 298 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:07,320 Speaker 2: don't know if that makes economic or financial sense anymore, right, Right, 299 00:16:07,680 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 2: So you know, if you're if you're balancing the budget, 300 00:16:12,280 --> 00:16:16,600 Speaker 2: tim back to your original question, You're right, I'm not 301 00:16:16,720 --> 00:16:20,480 Speaker 2: sure why eighty seven exists. Frankly, I'm not sure why 302 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:22,680 Speaker 2: we don't have regular and premium. I don't know what 303 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:25,680 Speaker 2: mid grade does. I don't know too many people that 304 00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:27,680 Speaker 2: use it. When I talk to the gas station attendance, 305 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 2: they tell me that middle grade that eighty nine octane. 306 00:16:31,800 --> 00:16:33,680 Speaker 2: You know, I think it's like there's eighty seven, eighty 307 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:36,040 Speaker 2: nine and ninety one now, and depends on the brand, 308 00:16:36,080 --> 00:16:40,200 Speaker 2: there's eighty seven, eighty nine and ninety three. Sometimes that 309 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:44,560 Speaker 2: middle grade is probably the least sold, and I'm not 310 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 2: sure what its purpose is. I often wonder what would 311 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:49,880 Speaker 2: what would it do to the price of fuel? Right 312 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 2: if we didn't have to make that mid grade and 313 00:16:52,240 --> 00:16:55,120 Speaker 2: we just made premium and regular and put a little 314 00:16:55,160 --> 00:16:57,800 Speaker 2: bit more additives into the regular, And you know, you 315 00:16:57,880 --> 00:17:01,840 Speaker 2: wonder of course, between you and me, you know, come 316 00:17:01,880 --> 00:17:04,119 Speaker 2: in close. Don't let anybody else hear this. I ran 317 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:08,680 Speaker 2: in the Wall Street Journal today that the energy companies, 318 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:12,040 Speaker 2: you know, chevron X on all of them, record profits 319 00:17:12,080 --> 00:17:14,879 Speaker 2: the last six months because of the warrant. I ran, so, 320 00:17:15,600 --> 00:17:17,920 Speaker 2: you know, I don't understand that either if the price 321 00:17:17,920 --> 00:17:20,400 Speaker 2: of if the cost of material has gone up, then 322 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:22,720 Speaker 2: how are they making more money than ever before. 323 00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:26,840 Speaker 3: Correct. Yeah, profits you'd think to spread would stay the same. 324 00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:29,359 Speaker 2: Well, right, you know it's listen, a court of oil 325 00:17:29,520 --> 00:17:32,720 Speaker 2: now costs me forty eight percent more than it did 326 00:17:32,800 --> 00:17:37,600 Speaker 2: six months ago. So I've raised my prices. I'm not 327 00:17:37,600 --> 00:17:40,800 Speaker 2: making any more money. My costs went up, so my 328 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:44,399 Speaker 2: cell price has to go up, right, But their costs 329 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:48,440 Speaker 2: went up and they're still making record profits. It makes 330 00:17:48,480 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 2: no sense. Go at eighty eight octane, tim, throw a 331 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:55,199 Speaker 2: couple of throw a couple of high tests at it, 332 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:57,920 Speaker 2: and live your life, my friend. I appreciate the call, 333 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:00,520 Speaker 2: and I appreciate the conversation. I'm wrong. Any of the 334 00:18:00,520 --> 00:18:03,400 Speaker 2: car doctor we are pack right after this. Don't go anywhere. 335 00:18:11,920 --> 00:18:13,199 Speaker 3: The streets to. 336 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:19,360 Speaker 2: The open tonight. If you ride needs out, Brother'll keep 337 00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:26,440 Speaker 2: you all right. Yeah, he's a con doctor. Car by right, 338 00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:37,119 Speaker 2: I want to talk about how not to fix a car, 339 00:18:37,800 --> 00:18:40,399 Speaker 2: Donald writes in I remember speaking to Donald about this. Donald, 340 00:18:40,440 --> 00:18:43,119 Speaker 2: if you're out there, babe, give me a call. Twenty fifteen. 341 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:45,840 Speaker 2: Chrysler has cruise control. It does not work, he sent 342 00:18:45,840 --> 00:18:47,200 Speaker 2: me an email. We spoke on the show a few 343 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:49,280 Speaker 2: weeks ago, and I have checked on any recall issues. 344 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:51,600 Speaker 2: I remember that there are none. There was a conversation 345 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:56,840 Speaker 2: about safety recalls for programming. I'm assuming, which is a 346 00:18:56,920 --> 00:18:59,160 Speaker 2: dangerous word, that when Donald went and checked recall issues, 347 00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:03,600 Speaker 2: he went at to nh NHTSA dot gov and you know, 348 00:19:03,680 --> 00:19:05,840 Speaker 2: plugged in the vin there and saw no recall notices. 349 00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:08,040 Speaker 2: I brought it again to the dealer, who put it 350 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:10,160 Speaker 2: on a computer and said it was the clockspring and switch. 351 00:19:10,240 --> 00:19:14,160 Speaker 2: Those have already been changed over a year ago. Here's 352 00:19:14,200 --> 00:19:17,639 Speaker 2: the part I don't understand. This is me speaking, not Donald. 353 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:22,159 Speaker 2: With the email he said they've been changed over a 354 00:19:22,200 --> 00:19:24,400 Speaker 2: year ago. There is voltage through the clockspring to the switch, 355 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:28,840 Speaker 2: so the clock spring and switch are not bad. Donald, if, 356 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:34,160 Speaker 2: first of all, just because it was changed doesn't mean 357 00:19:34,200 --> 00:19:37,280 Speaker 2: it's still good. I get it. You're saying, well, it's 358 00:19:37,280 --> 00:19:39,439 Speaker 2: got voltage through it. But if you know enough to 359 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:43,000 Speaker 2: do that, then why are you taking it to the dealer. 360 00:19:43,040 --> 00:19:48,200 Speaker 2: I'm not sure of the disconnect here. There's something wrong 361 00:19:48,280 --> 00:19:51,879 Speaker 2: with this. You know, just because a part was changed 362 00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:54,040 Speaker 2: doesn't mean it's good. I can't tell you how many 363 00:19:54,040 --> 00:19:56,639 Speaker 2: times we have to do something twice and three times, 364 00:19:56,680 --> 00:20:00,200 Speaker 2: and in cases of defective bad new parts, new never 365 00:20:00,240 --> 00:20:03,520 Speaker 2: worked right. My wife is hounding me. I'm sorry, Donald 366 00:20:03,520 --> 00:20:04,800 Speaker 2: to try and fix this issue, and I don't know 367 00:20:04,840 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 2: where else to look. I've tried to get a wiring 368 00:20:06,280 --> 00:20:09,000 Speaker 2: diagram or diagnostic float chart from the dealers and they're 369 00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 2: not willing to help. Well, I I can understand that 370 00:20:12,600 --> 00:20:15,000 Speaker 2: who did the clock spring and the switch the dealer. 371 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:20,919 Speaker 2: Then wouldn't the clock spring and switch Beyonnder warranty? You know, 372 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,119 Speaker 2: I had that thought when I read this. We've already 373 00:20:23,119 --> 00:20:24,960 Speaker 2: spent several hundred dollars in this year. We're no closer 374 00:20:25,000 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 2: to fixing this problem. It's been a great car, still 375 00:20:26,760 --> 00:20:28,920 Speaker 2: has one hundred thousand miles on it, and we get 376 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:31,320 Speaker 2: free oil changes for the life of the car. Being 377 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:33,000 Speaker 2: retired on a fixed income, we'd like to try and 378 00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:35,679 Speaker 2: keep the car. Yeah, I understand that. I understand that 379 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:37,199 Speaker 2: you got to find a competent shop. You got to 380 00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:39,040 Speaker 2: find somebody that's going to want to put some time 381 00:20:39,080 --> 00:20:42,119 Speaker 2: in on it. Don't assume because parts have already been 382 00:20:42,200 --> 00:20:46,480 Speaker 2: changed that that thereby nullifies and proves them out to 383 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:50,960 Speaker 2: be good. I've got a customer with a twenty twelve 384 00:20:51,320 --> 00:20:57,440 Speaker 2: Chrysler Caravan Voyager Caravan, same thing, minivan two years ago. 385 00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 2: We put a tip them in, had a bad tip them. 386 00:21:00,240 --> 00:21:03,240 Speaker 2: Totally integrated power module, the relay control box on the 387 00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:05,640 Speaker 2: left side of the engine compartment for a fuel pump 388 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:09,359 Speaker 2: prom and brand new from Chrysler, brand new from a 389 00:21:09,480 --> 00:21:12,040 Speaker 2: reman from Chrysler, brand new reman from Chrysler, because that's 390 00:21:12,040 --> 00:21:16,919 Speaker 2: all that was available. It went bad within nine months. 391 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:21,680 Speaker 2: There you go, right, ordered another one. That one didn't. 392 00:21:21,720 --> 00:21:23,399 Speaker 2: That one barely made it out of the box. It 393 00:21:25,240 --> 00:21:28,800 Speaker 2: went into the car and the car didn't make it 394 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:32,639 Speaker 2: out the door of the shop. It it failed. I 395 00:21:32,680 --> 00:21:34,760 Speaker 2: put the old one back in with a bypass kid 396 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:37,680 Speaker 2: and it sent that back under warranty. Ordered another one. 397 00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:43,520 Speaker 2: That was November. I'm still waiting for another one, which 398 00:21:43,560 --> 00:21:46,399 Speaker 2: is the other problem with Chrysler. Chrysler is horrendous on parts. 399 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:49,800 Speaker 2: You know, just just really tough getting parts for some 400 00:21:49,800 --> 00:21:51,720 Speaker 2: of the older Chryslers, Like a lot of the car companies. 401 00:21:51,720 --> 00:21:54,440 Speaker 2: I shouldn't say say Chrysler, they're all like this. But 402 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:57,840 Speaker 2: my point is, you know, I would grab a wiring 403 00:21:57,880 --> 00:22:01,119 Speaker 2: diagram and if you're able to tell me that you 404 00:22:01,240 --> 00:22:03,919 Speaker 2: know the clock spring has voltage through it, you've tested it. 405 00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:06,240 Speaker 2: The way the dealer tested it. You've tested it as 406 00:22:06,280 --> 00:22:11,440 Speaker 2: per procedure. Go out to the Chrysler website. I think 407 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:13,719 Speaker 2: the last time I looked it was forty two bucks. 408 00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:18,040 Speaker 2: You can log in and buy serial information or wiring 409 00:22:18,040 --> 00:22:21,200 Speaker 2: diagram information for this vehicle. Or even better, go out 410 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:23,479 Speaker 2: to All Data. Go to all Data dot com and 411 00:22:23,560 --> 00:22:26,760 Speaker 2: go look up a DIY wire subscription, and I think 412 00:22:26,840 --> 00:22:29,439 Speaker 2: it's well under one hundred bucks. I think it's probably 413 00:22:29,440 --> 00:22:31,320 Speaker 2: closer to well under fifty bucks. And you can buy 414 00:22:31,359 --> 00:22:34,000 Speaker 2: a data subscription for one year and get the exact 415 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:36,480 Speaker 2: same information that the repair shops get from All Data. 416 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:43,119 Speaker 2: And you know, at that point, here's your wiring diagram. 417 00:22:43,280 --> 00:22:43,639 Speaker 3: I get it. 418 00:22:43,680 --> 00:22:47,840 Speaker 2: You're on a fixed income. But I you know, there's 419 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:49,719 Speaker 2: no free lunch. There's just no other way to say it, 420 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:55,159 Speaker 2: you know, So just just just be aware, you know, 421 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:56,560 Speaker 2: you've got to you've got to take it from that 422 00:22:56,600 --> 00:22:59,359 Speaker 2: point on. You don't hang on to something because you 423 00:22:59,359 --> 00:23:01,560 Speaker 2: get free oil for the life of the car. There 424 00:23:01,640 --> 00:23:04,639 Speaker 2: is no free lunch, okay, you know, And where are 425 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:06,640 Speaker 2: you getting the free oil? Changes from the dealership where 426 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:11,360 Speaker 2: you bought it, and you know they're under no obligation 427 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:13,960 Speaker 2: to give you free technical information. I'm sorry they're not. 428 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:18,840 Speaker 2: I am That's what I do, you know, and I'll 429 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:21,840 Speaker 2: tell you what, Donald, if you if you hear this conversation, 430 00:23:22,359 --> 00:23:23,760 Speaker 2: which I haven't figured out yet, a lot of you 431 00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:26,240 Speaker 2: don't seem to hear the conversation. I've gotten several emails 432 00:23:26,240 --> 00:23:28,920 Speaker 2: of late. You've got to listen to the show because 433 00:23:28,920 --> 00:23:31,280 Speaker 2: that's where I try to dispense information. I can't dispense 434 00:23:31,320 --> 00:23:34,400 Speaker 2: information for everybody. For all the emails I get, everybody 435 00:23:34,400 --> 00:23:37,240 Speaker 2: wants a you know, I'm going to start the Ron 436 00:23:37,240 --> 00:23:39,920 Speaker 2: and Ayan thirty nine to ninety five a month subscription plan. 437 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:43,359 Speaker 2: At least they'll get you know, I can get paid 438 00:23:43,359 --> 00:23:45,000 Speaker 2: so I can explain to my wife why she never 439 00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:47,080 Speaker 2: sees me. Well, I was answering emails. Yeah, but I 440 00:23:47,119 --> 00:23:48,479 Speaker 2: didn't see I haven't seen you in the last three 441 00:23:48,520 --> 00:23:51,520 Speaker 2: and a half weeks. But Donald, I promise you if 442 00:23:51,560 --> 00:23:53,920 Speaker 2: you call me or send me an email Ron at 443 00:23:53,920 --> 00:23:57,480 Speaker 2: cardoctorshow dot com, I will send you a wiring diagram 444 00:23:57,520 --> 00:24:02,480 Speaker 2: for free to help you diagnose this problem. But you know, 445 00:24:02,520 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 2: if the dealers saying the clock spring and the switch 446 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:09,280 Speaker 2: are bad and they tell you that will fix the problem, guaranteed. 447 00:24:10,560 --> 00:24:12,520 Speaker 2: And that's the last part. That's where I'm going to 448 00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:15,720 Speaker 2: close this. You know, that is the That is the 449 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:18,240 Speaker 2: last part of this conversation. Anytime a mechanic says, hey, 450 00:24:18,320 --> 00:24:21,240 Speaker 2: this part is bad, I don't care whether it was new, used, 451 00:24:21,440 --> 00:24:24,760 Speaker 2: put in a year ago, put in last week, whatever. 452 00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:27,200 Speaker 2: The next question has to be, is that going to 453 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:31,000 Speaker 2: fix my problem? It's either yes, no, or maybe it's 454 00:24:31,119 --> 00:24:34,960 Speaker 2: there's only three possible answers, and it could be maybe. 455 00:24:34,960 --> 00:24:37,119 Speaker 2: But this is the first step because I've proven it 456 00:24:37,160 --> 00:24:38,760 Speaker 2: bad and I can show you why it's bad, and 457 00:24:38,760 --> 00:24:42,160 Speaker 2: they'll run you through some tests. Right, that's a logical conversation. 458 00:24:43,400 --> 00:24:43,600 Speaker 3: You know. 459 00:24:43,800 --> 00:24:46,640 Speaker 2: No that means they don't know, and yes means that yes, 460 00:24:46,680 --> 00:24:49,000 Speaker 2: they do know. I promise this will fix the car. 461 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:51,639 Speaker 2: I call them Ron guarantees in the shop, you know, 462 00:24:51,680 --> 00:24:53,560 Speaker 2: I say with the customers all the time, Hey, here's 463 00:24:53,560 --> 00:24:56,119 Speaker 2: the Ron guarantee. We do this. It's fixed. Hey, we 464 00:24:56,240 --> 00:24:58,920 Speaker 2: do this. This is the first step. This is bad, 465 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:00,800 Speaker 2: and I'll prove to you why that's bad. But that 466 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:02,760 Speaker 2: always said fix what you know is bad. Go on 467 00:25:02,800 --> 00:25:04,760 Speaker 2: to the next thing. Well, I know this is bad, 468 00:25:08,119 --> 00:25:10,720 Speaker 2: but Donald, if you get this, send me an email 469 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:13,600 Speaker 2: ron at cardoctorshow dot com or call me up here 470 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:15,720 Speaker 2: on air and I will be glad to help. 471 00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:15,919 Speaker 4: You with this. 472 00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:18,600 Speaker 2: Eight five five five six nine nine zero zero. IM 473 00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:20,639 Speaker 2: running ny in the car doctor. We'll be back right 474 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:21,040 Speaker 2: after this. 475 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:39,840 Speaker 5: Don't go away? 476 00:25:42,520 --> 00:25:45,040 Speaker 2: He next up, let's go to Tom and Arizona. Tom. 477 00:25:45,040 --> 00:25:47,040 Speaker 2: Welcome to the car doctor, sir. What's going on today? 478 00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:48,520 Speaker 3: Hi? 479 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:51,320 Speaker 6: Thanks for taking my call. I got a two thousand 480 00:25:51,359 --> 00:25:53,800 Speaker 6: and three jukes with favor and a couple of weeks 481 00:25:53,800 --> 00:25:56,800 Speaker 6: ago then tier lights won't come on. Okay, I'm looking 482 00:25:56,880 --> 00:26:01,280 Speaker 6: at schematics like you were listening another previous all and 483 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:04,560 Speaker 6: the common thing I see is because the fuse looks good. 484 00:26:05,240 --> 00:26:07,639 Speaker 6: The common thing I see is a ground point in 485 00:26:07,680 --> 00:26:11,040 Speaker 6: the rear right gadule. 486 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:12,400 Speaker 2: Either G four oh one or G four oh two. 487 00:26:13,240 --> 00:26:17,720 Speaker 2: Uh is not uncommon. So let's let's do this. Okay. 488 00:26:18,280 --> 00:26:21,800 Speaker 2: Is it just the interior lights, the overhead lights? Do 489 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:23,760 Speaker 2: the Do the powered door locks work? 490 00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:25,560 Speaker 4: Yes? 491 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:29,640 Speaker 2: So the auto lock function works. So let's let's let's 492 00:26:29,680 --> 00:26:32,879 Speaker 2: make it simple. If I remember, right, there's a relay 493 00:26:32,960 --> 00:26:34,359 Speaker 2: under the left furr seat. 494 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:37,920 Speaker 6: Correct, Yeah, there's a fuse box right. 495 00:26:37,960 --> 00:26:40,520 Speaker 2: Okay, So coming out of that coming out of that 496 00:26:41,720 --> 00:26:46,040 Speaker 2: coming out of that box, there's a tan wire white wire, 497 00:26:46,119 --> 00:26:49,760 Speaker 2: tan wire tan wire if memory serves right, that tan 498 00:26:49,920 --> 00:26:54,119 Speaker 2: wire is the ground control for comes off of the 499 00:26:54,200 --> 00:26:57,400 Speaker 2: rim the rear integration module. See this is an odd year, Well, 500 00:26:57,440 --> 00:26:59,640 Speaker 2: this is an odd time. This this three four years 501 00:26:59,640 --> 00:27:03,040 Speaker 2: of gen was. There's also serial data involved here. This 502 00:27:03,080 --> 00:27:05,720 Speaker 2: is when we started to do controlled area networking h 503 00:27:05,840 --> 00:27:10,119 Speaker 2: So we combined, right, we can blind combined right brothers 504 00:27:10,200 --> 00:27:13,120 Speaker 2: biplane with Space Shuttle. Right, it was we were trying 505 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:17,800 Speaker 2: to melt the two technologies together. So coming out of that, 506 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:20,920 Speaker 2: you know, rear fuse block, there's a dark blue white wire, 507 00:27:21,040 --> 00:27:23,440 Speaker 2: dark blue white trace if I remember right, and you'll 508 00:27:23,480 --> 00:27:26,000 Speaker 2: find that wire at the driver door courtesy lamp. You'll 509 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:29,119 Speaker 2: find that at the left foot wheel well the courtesy lamp. 510 00:27:30,000 --> 00:27:34,240 Speaker 2: Is that dark blue wire hot. Does that show voltage? 511 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:37,240 Speaker 2: It's the same dark blue that goes It's the same 512 00:27:37,320 --> 00:27:40,080 Speaker 2: dark blue that goes to the left, the right, the 513 00:27:40,119 --> 00:27:43,159 Speaker 2: wheel well, the rear compartment. It's the common HOT. You 514 00:27:43,200 --> 00:27:45,000 Speaker 2: look at your wiring diagram, you see it. 515 00:27:46,880 --> 00:27:48,880 Speaker 3: On dark blue. 516 00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:51,399 Speaker 6: White, dark dark blue white. 517 00:27:51,480 --> 00:27:54,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, right, that that dark blue white. You see how 518 00:27:54,200 --> 00:27:57,680 Speaker 2: it feeds all the bulbs. Yep, do we have power 519 00:27:57,680 --> 00:27:59,199 Speaker 2: there when we're supposed to if we open up the 520 00:27:59,240 --> 00:28:02,359 Speaker 2: driver's door, show power, or if we there's a switch 521 00:28:02,400 --> 00:28:04,720 Speaker 2: on the dish that will activate the lights too, right. 522 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:10,560 Speaker 6: Yeah, that doesn't work, but the door jar indication works. 523 00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:14,280 Speaker 2: Right, Okay, So when when when we open the driver's door, 524 00:28:15,240 --> 00:28:17,640 Speaker 2: it's it's seeing the switch because it knows the door 525 00:28:17,680 --> 00:28:21,160 Speaker 2: is open. Do we have power on that dark blue white? 526 00:28:21,240 --> 00:28:23,560 Speaker 2: Now you can get to that dark blue white real easy. 527 00:28:23,760 --> 00:28:25,680 Speaker 2: Just it's either going to be go to the left 528 00:28:25,680 --> 00:28:28,000 Speaker 2: foot well courtesy lamp, or go to the driver door 529 00:28:28,080 --> 00:28:30,760 Speaker 2: courtesy lamp. One side is going to be hot, one 530 00:28:30,760 --> 00:28:33,840 Speaker 2: side's going to be ground, right. 531 00:28:33,760 --> 00:28:37,159 Speaker 6: Right, Let don't think I don't. I assume they're Oh, okay, 532 00:28:37,280 --> 00:28:40,120 Speaker 6: I get check either if there's great or right. 533 00:28:40,800 --> 00:28:44,320 Speaker 2: Well, so let's figure out here. Let's do this. Whatever 534 00:28:44,400 --> 00:28:47,400 Speaker 2: bulb is easy as to get to. Tom, listen, I'm 535 00:28:47,400 --> 00:28:50,840 Speaker 2: getting I get I'm getting lazier as I get older. Right, 536 00:28:50,920 --> 00:28:53,280 Speaker 2: So let's just let's just make this a simple circuit. 537 00:28:54,040 --> 00:28:57,800 Speaker 2: Let's go in with a meter and whatever bulb I 538 00:28:57,800 --> 00:29:00,880 Speaker 2: can get too easy. One side of the meter to ground. 539 00:29:01,400 --> 00:29:03,880 Speaker 2: The other side of the meter is hot touch one 540 00:29:03,920 --> 00:29:07,240 Speaker 2: side of the bulb contact, I should see voltage. If 541 00:29:07,280 --> 00:29:10,200 Speaker 2: I don't, then reverse my leads go the other way. 542 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:11,160 Speaker 2: Do I have ground? 543 00:29:12,720 --> 00:29:12,920 Speaker 3: Right? 544 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:15,320 Speaker 2: You know, let's let's go ahead. 545 00:29:15,720 --> 00:29:18,480 Speaker 6: The rear integration module controls of the ground, right. 546 00:29:18,640 --> 00:29:24,360 Speaker 2: The rear integration module controls ground through the trunk. But 547 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:26,479 Speaker 2: you've also got to if I remember, right, isn't there 548 00:29:26,520 --> 00:29:29,560 Speaker 2: a second part to this diagram where they show you 549 00:29:29,680 --> 00:29:31,240 Speaker 2: I'm trying to remember. It's been a while since I 550 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:33,600 Speaker 2: looked at an oh three buick, but I think G 551 00:29:33,760 --> 00:29:36,440 Speaker 2: four oh two was on the back by the trunk, 552 00:29:36,480 --> 00:29:39,040 Speaker 2: by the tail lamp, and the tail lamp's always always 553 00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:40,320 Speaker 2: kind of rusted and rotted. 554 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:44,120 Speaker 6: Yeah, I don't have a problem in desert. 555 00:29:44,240 --> 00:29:47,400 Speaker 2: Right, Well, I don't think see well, yeah, right, you 556 00:29:47,400 --> 00:29:49,360 Speaker 2: know where'd the car come from? Was it originally an 557 00:29:49,360 --> 00:29:50,160 Speaker 2: Arizona car? 558 00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:51,600 Speaker 6: Yes? 559 00:29:51,840 --> 00:29:55,600 Speaker 2: Okay, yeah, boy, it's nice. Right, it's it's all dry heat. 560 00:29:55,760 --> 00:29:57,240 Speaker 2: There's bet you there's no rod on this. 561 00:29:57,240 --> 00:30:01,240 Speaker 6: Car at all, right, no rut, no russ. 562 00:30:02,320 --> 00:30:04,840 Speaker 2: So, but it's it's kind of odd that none of 563 00:30:04,840 --> 00:30:08,400 Speaker 2: the interior lights work. So we're looking for something common 564 00:30:08,880 --> 00:30:11,960 Speaker 2: and I remember how that relay was wired. Either the 565 00:30:12,040 --> 00:30:15,640 Speaker 2: relay is not being energized by the rim because it 566 00:30:15,640 --> 00:30:18,760 Speaker 2: doesn't see input, and I don't think you would see that. 567 00:30:18,840 --> 00:30:20,880 Speaker 2: I don't think you would see the input request on 568 00:30:20,920 --> 00:30:23,080 Speaker 2: a scan tool. I don't think they were that smart 569 00:30:23,120 --> 00:30:26,440 Speaker 2: back then. But either I'm not seeing hot or the 570 00:30:26,480 --> 00:30:30,360 Speaker 2: ground is broken. But let's let's let's figure out what 571 00:30:30,400 --> 00:30:32,680 Speaker 2: I'm missing. If I'm missing hot, that's the left side 572 00:30:32,720 --> 00:30:34,480 Speaker 2: of the circuit. If I'm missing ground, that's the right 573 00:30:34,520 --> 00:30:38,680 Speaker 2: side of the circuit. Yeah, all right, So do it. 574 00:30:38,760 --> 00:30:40,440 Speaker 2: Do it that way, and then call me back next week. 575 00:30:40,480 --> 00:30:42,680 Speaker 2: We can talk further. I'll get a wiring diagram out 576 00:30:42,680 --> 00:30:44,480 Speaker 2: if I remember, and I can kind of walk you 577 00:30:44,520 --> 00:30:44,760 Speaker 2: through it. 578 00:30:45,520 --> 00:30:47,400 Speaker 3: So, but I see the four two. 579 00:30:47,520 --> 00:30:49,520 Speaker 6: So you think G four four two is in the 580 00:30:49,560 --> 00:30:50,400 Speaker 6: trunk area. 581 00:30:50,280 --> 00:30:52,360 Speaker 2: I think so. I think I thought it was somewhere 582 00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:55,360 Speaker 2: back by the tail lamp, which I always thought was 583 00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:58,120 Speaker 2: kind of stupid, because you know, I'm working on the 584 00:30:58,120 --> 00:30:59,200 Speaker 2: front of the car. I got to go all the 585 00:30:59,240 --> 00:31:02,200 Speaker 2: way to the back to get to you know, my 586 00:31:02,280 --> 00:31:04,240 Speaker 2: next life. I want to be an automotive engineer. I 587 00:31:04,280 --> 00:31:08,960 Speaker 2: really do. I just I I really think they design 588 00:31:09,040 --> 00:31:10,800 Speaker 2: this stuff in the morning. They go out to lunch, 589 00:31:10,840 --> 00:31:12,400 Speaker 2: they have a couple of beers and they go, yeah, 590 00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:13,640 Speaker 2: the hellck with it, We're just gonna put it in 591 00:31:13,720 --> 00:31:14,600 Speaker 2: production anyway. 592 00:31:15,600 --> 00:31:18,280 Speaker 6: I'm afraid it gets worse every year. 593 00:31:18,440 --> 00:31:22,000 Speaker 2: So yeah, it just it just makes no sense to me. 594 00:31:22,480 --> 00:31:25,640 Speaker 2: So all right, you're very welcome, kiddo. Thank you anytime 595 00:31:25,680 --> 00:31:28,040 Speaker 2: you call back. Eight five five five six nine nine 596 00:31:28,120 --> 00:31:30,120 Speaker 2: zero zero. I'm running any in the car. Doctor. We're 597 00:31:30,160 --> 00:31:51,440 Speaker 2: back to finish it up right after this. So it 598 00:31:51,440 --> 00:31:53,280 Speaker 2: comes to this, right, I guess we've got to close 599 00:31:53,280 --> 00:31:56,520 Speaker 2: out the hour and go away for the week. I 600 00:31:56,520 --> 00:32:01,400 Speaker 2: had fun today. I may have been cranky today, Tom 601 00:32:01,520 --> 00:32:04,640 Speaker 2: saying I was, But you know what, I want the 602 00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:06,120 Speaker 2: best for each and every one of you when you're 603 00:32:06,120 --> 00:32:08,520 Speaker 2: dealing with your car. I want your mechanic to be 604 00:32:08,600 --> 00:32:10,000 Speaker 2: on the top of their game. I want you to 605 00:32:10,040 --> 00:32:12,960 Speaker 2: get the proper service. I see so much nonsense that 606 00:32:13,040 --> 00:32:15,960 Speaker 2: goes on, you know, in this business. Sometimes I hear 607 00:32:16,160 --> 00:32:19,280 Speaker 2: from the guys that I'm answering their questions during the 608 00:32:19,280 --> 00:32:21,000 Speaker 2: week when shops call me up because they want to 609 00:32:21,040 --> 00:32:22,360 Speaker 2: know about this or that. And I don't do that 610 00:32:22,440 --> 00:32:24,600 Speaker 2: much of that anymore because otherwise I'd never get anything done. 611 00:32:24,680 --> 00:32:27,160 Speaker 2: But I had fun with you today. You know what 612 00:32:27,200 --> 00:32:30,520 Speaker 2: I enjoy answering all of your questions. And if I 613 00:32:30,600 --> 00:32:34,240 Speaker 2: sounded a little hard pressed, I apologize it's not. You know, 614 00:32:35,520 --> 00:32:37,440 Speaker 2: Like I said, I want you to have the best 615 00:32:37,520 --> 00:32:40,640 Speaker 2: of care when it comes to your automobiles. You know, 616 00:32:40,720 --> 00:32:43,400 Speaker 2: I enjoy our interaction. I learn from you, guys. I do. 617 00:32:43,880 --> 00:32:45,600 Speaker 2: You may not realize it, but you guys show me 618 00:32:45,640 --> 00:32:47,760 Speaker 2: a few things. And I learned something each and every week. 619 00:32:48,160 --> 00:32:51,040 Speaker 2: And just because I'm on the radio doesn't mean doesn't 620 00:32:51,080 --> 00:32:53,720 Speaker 2: mean I'm smarter than all of you. I'm just smarter 621 00:32:53,800 --> 00:32:55,120 Speaker 2: than most of you. Is that the right way to 622 00:32:55,120 --> 00:32:58,280 Speaker 2: say that? Tom? Probably? But all of you can teach 623 00:32:58,360 --> 00:33:00,760 Speaker 2: me something, and I mean that sincere from my heart. 624 00:33:02,440 --> 00:33:04,600 Speaker 2: We have fun each in every week, and that's kind 625 00:33:04,600 --> 00:33:05,400 Speaker 2: of what this is about. 626 00:33:06,200 --> 00:33:06,480 Speaker 4: You know. 627 00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:12,440 Speaker 2: It's cars are just such a major part of our 628 00:33:12,520 --> 00:33:18,160 Speaker 2: lives now, and I can argue points about keeping a 629 00:33:18,200 --> 00:33:22,320 Speaker 2: car replacing a car from multiple perspectives, and I just 630 00:33:22,400 --> 00:33:25,400 Speaker 2: think I still think my rule that I formulated many many, 631 00:33:25,400 --> 00:33:27,920 Speaker 2: many many men many years ago, about you get rid 632 00:33:27,920 --> 00:33:30,880 Speaker 2: of a car when it's too rusty, too unreliable, or 633 00:33:30,920 --> 00:33:35,080 Speaker 2: you can't find parts anywhere. But now because of the Internet. 634 00:33:35,360 --> 00:33:37,520 Speaker 2: You know, if it's not rusty and it's still reliable, 635 00:33:37,600 --> 00:33:40,360 Speaker 2: you can find parts anywhere because you can just log 636 00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:42,240 Speaker 2: in online and tend to find it. You just might 637 00:33:42,240 --> 00:33:44,240 Speaker 2: not be able to get parts as quick and find 638 00:33:44,240 --> 00:33:47,440 Speaker 2: them as fast, And that's kind of got to become part. 639 00:33:47,240 --> 00:33:47,840 Speaker 4: Of the equation. 640 00:33:49,680 --> 00:33:52,040 Speaker 2: I see a lot of people throw away perfectly good 641 00:33:52,040 --> 00:33:55,360 Speaker 2: cars each and every week, and I often wonder does 642 00:33:55,400 --> 00:33:58,440 Speaker 2: it make financial sense? And I don't know their perspective, 643 00:33:58,480 --> 00:34:01,720 Speaker 2: I don't know their pocketbook. The one gentleman we spoke 644 00:34:01,760 --> 00:34:04,120 Speaker 2: to today with the Honda Civic, he had the absolute 645 00:34:04,200 --> 00:34:07,640 Speaker 2: right answer. He replaces that car every seven years because 646 00:34:07,920 --> 00:34:10,160 Speaker 2: he and his wife cruise around the country and I 647 00:34:10,200 --> 00:34:13,360 Speaker 2: guess they're in retirement and he wants something reliable. He 648 00:34:13,360 --> 00:34:14,719 Speaker 2: doesn't want to have to think about it. And you 649 00:34:14,760 --> 00:34:17,840 Speaker 2: know what, that is the answer for that. That makes 650 00:34:17,880 --> 00:34:21,000 Speaker 2: absolutely perfect sense. But if you're in your hometown and 651 00:34:21,000 --> 00:34:23,440 Speaker 2: you're replacing that car every seven years and it's a 652 00:34:23,480 --> 00:34:27,359 Speaker 2: financial burden, consider talking to your mechanic about how can 653 00:34:27,440 --> 00:34:29,120 Speaker 2: you get longer life out of it by doing some 654 00:34:29,200 --> 00:34:34,319 Speaker 2: maintenance and repairs and taking better care of it. The 655 00:34:34,360 --> 00:34:38,080 Speaker 2: automobile isn't going to get any simpler. And I spoke 656 00:34:38,120 --> 00:34:40,319 Speaker 2: to I speak to people every week about you know, 657 00:34:40,320 --> 00:34:41,680 Speaker 2: do I want to replace it now or do I 658 00:34:41,680 --> 00:34:43,759 Speaker 2: want to keep driving the old one? You know what, 659 00:34:43,880 --> 00:34:46,239 Speaker 2: don't negotiate with yourself. Go drive a new one on 660 00:34:46,280 --> 00:34:48,080 Speaker 2: a road test, see if you'll like it, Because if 661 00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:50,600 Speaker 2: you're replacing a ten or a five year old vehicle, 662 00:34:50,920 --> 00:34:54,560 Speaker 2: the technology that's in it is staggering and it may 663 00:34:54,600 --> 00:34:56,680 Speaker 2: not be comfortable for you, And then again you may 664 00:34:56,719 --> 00:34:58,920 Speaker 2: love it. I'm ronning Andy in the car doctor till 665 00:34:58,960 --> 00:35:01,680 Speaker 2: the next time. Goochanic aren't expensive, they're priceless. 666 00:35:01,880 --> 00:35:03,880 Speaker 3: Hey, he's a car doctor. 667 00:35:04,880 --> 00:35:06,439 Speaker 2: Carr advice, don't ray