Idle Talk Radio with Ashley and Tom

I got the POWER, steering that is

On tonight's show Ashley and I talk power steering and how it works.  We also talk about the the new way manufactures are designing power steering systems by making them electric. Ashley and I also joke around about turn signal and license plate fluid. We also unpack our once a week phone call where someone says " I need an alignment because my car shakes at highway speeds"
Check out a video about how a steering rack works here.
 
If you have a comment or car question please email us at Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening.
This show was originally broadcast 10/21/2021

The Dan Show

On this episode of Idle Talk Radio I have a substitute co-host with me in the studio. Ashley ran off to Montana for the week and let me in charge of everything. So I enlisted the help of our lead Mechanic Dan. Dan is our ASE Master Mechanic. He worked for 10 years at a Honda dealership before he came to work here at the shop. It was his first time on the radio and he was a little nervous. 
We talk about the Magnesium shortage that is effecting aluminum production and the scarcity of replacement auto parts. Pennsylvania is also flirting with changing the emissions program and we unpack it a little. We get a call about shaking issues in a 2006 Honda CRV, recalibrating a compass in a instrument cluster or mirror, and the extreme loads charging systems have on the battery and alternator.
If you have a comment or car question please email us at Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening.
This show was originally broadcast 10/28/2021

Really, We have been doing this show for 2 years? YES

On tonight's Idle Talk we discuss maintenance and spark plugs. Tom talks about spark plug gimmicks and why the don't work. We ask 2 questions: "When you see 2 or more Toyota Prius together, what is the plural of Prius?" and "How do get Subaru Badges for the back of your Subaru?". If anyone has the correct answer we would love to know.
We also talk about Catalytic Converter theft and how to make yours a little less appealing to thieves. I also stumbled over an article about thefts of Hyundai and KIA vehicles. If you have one of these cars it may be wise to install an aftermarket alarm that can disable the car independently of the factory equipment.
If you have a comment or car question please email us at Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening.
This show was originally broadcast 11/04/2021

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