Idle Talk Radio with Ashley and Tom

The Right to Repair Your Stuff is Disappearing. Why should you care?

On this episode Ashley and Tom discuss the right to repair laws and how the effect your life every day. For years independent car repair shops have fought with manufactures to gain access to information to repair cars. Now the Right to Repair laws that the independent car repair shops fought for are being used to investigate everything from cell phones to McDonald's Ice Cream Machines.
George call up to talk a little about oil, washer fluid, and cleaning your windshield. Tom dispenses some info on making your wiper blades last longer. We also talk about the Pennsylvania 511 system, app, and website.
If you have a comment or car question please email us at Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening.
This show was originally broadcast 10/14/2021

Winter is Coming, TimeTo Talk Tires

On tonight’s Idle Talk Radio show Ashley gives us a history lesson on rubber. George calls to talk about hydroplaning and tire care. Sam calls in with a few questions about tires which we never thought of and our radio grandmother Ardel calls in to ask a few questions about a friend that is moving to Pennsylvania. Take a listen and learn and laugh with us.
If you have a comment or car question please email us at Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening.
This show was originally broadcast 9/23/2021

Check Engine lights, Pa Emission Testing, and a Wet Floor

This week we talk to Jake who's check engine light made an appearance right before inspection, George who has water on the passenger floor, and Rick who has an issue with a reoccurring check engine light on his 2000 Honda Civic Si.  Along with these great calls we talk about Ashley's almost accident and something Tom learned about tires this past week.  
 
If you have a comment or car question please email us at Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening.
 
This Show was recorded June 24th 2021

What is a CVT transmission and why are they gaining in popularity?

In this sliced and diced episode we talk about Constant Variable Transmissions (CVT) and Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmissions. There are a lot of complaints about these "new" transmissions. We hear people don't like the way they shift or feel when they are driving. Some of these transmissions were complete failures and you can't find the cars around anymore.  We also have a discussion with Dave about his Jeep transmission fluid being "lifetime" fluid. Ashley and Tom discuss these transmissions and how they work while taking a slight detour into talking about coolant.
If you have a comment or car question please email us at Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening.
 
This show was recorded 2/27/2020.
 
 

This car is as old as me!

 On this episode Ashley and Tom discuss how vehicle technology is constantly changing. We talk about a 1981 Olds Cutlass that was in the shop and how it had one of the first electronic engine computers. We also discuss old and new headlight design and how no one seems to aim headlamps anymore.
We also learn about how the TREAD act mandated the use of tire pressure monitoring in all cars 2008 and newer. This leads to a discussion about the sensors inside your tires that actually read the air pressure and how the system works.
To wrap up the show we discuss Nissan CVT transmission fluid changes and how you don't need to go back to the dealer to have it changed.
If you have a comment or car question please email us at Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening.
This show was originally broadcast 2/20/2020
 

I Want A Puppy Thomas and I Want One Now!

Two weeks in a row Ashley can't remember that is nighttime. Ashley throws me under the bus about wanting a puppy. We discuss a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu that we had in the shop with a weird noise that we had trouble finding. Ashley confesses that she DOES read the owners manual on every car she owns. We talk about Start/Stop technology and Hybrid trucks. We also discuss the use of AGM batteries in in vehicles with start stop technology and how 5 point harness and roll cages can save more lives. We also talk to Garth about his Impala and John about his Plymouth Sundance. Dave calls in about buying a used car. He wants to know what a dealer is responsible to tell you before you buy a car from them and how to protect yourself from a bad car. If you have a comment or car question please email us at Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening.

What Time Is It? It's Not Morning. It's time for Idle Talk time!!!!

On this Episode Ashley forgets its night time when we start the show. We start by talking about Dash Lights and how some lights are standard and others are not. We do a little history of the check engine light. We also talk about code readers that read standardized codes mandated by the government. Randy calls in to ask about the 2 diagnostic ports on his Nissan Truck. We also talk about mice chewing wires, an E250 with Mass Air Flow codes. We also touch on why we replace brake rotors in this area of the country.  If you have a car question feel free to email us at Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening.

Dash lights, What does that pesky light mean?

On this show we talk about the difference in emissions inspections in Berks and Schuylkill Counties. We also touch on diesel emissions. Charles calls in with questions about oil and filter choice on his sisters Honda civic. This leads into a discussion on fuel additives and fuel. We also get questions on changing transmission fluid and weather is is a good idea to change to high mileage oil on a 400,000 mile Camry. Kyle also calls in to ask about oil change intervals on his Jeep and to talk about how the electronics go off in his new Yukon as he goes through EZ-Pass in Delaware. If you have a comment or question feel free to contact us at Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening.