Advertise on podcast: Idle Talk Radio with Ashley and Tom

In this episode we talk about the effects of ethanol in gasoline and what the octane actually means. Here are some of the bullet points from the show: Ashley talks about like being "that dad" cleaning the windshield of her car along the street while waiting on the kid to get done with practice The topic of discussion was octane levels and ethanol in fuel.  Gasoline's resistance to burn is measured by its octane rating. Higher octane allows for more advanced engine timing and more power. Most vehicles require 87 octane regular gasoline.  Octane rating is derived from the average of the Motor Octane Rating and Research Octane Rating. It indicates the pressure at which fuel will spontaneously ignite.  Unintended spontaneous combustion causes uneven engine pressure, damage, and knocking. Newer direct-injected vehicles had issues with hot oil igniting injected fuel, damaging engines.  Using higher octane gasoline than required provides no benefit. Using lower octane can reduce fuel economy and cause engine knocking.  Ethanol was added to fuel to make the U.S. more energy independent, though its viability is debated.  Fuel contains a maximum of 10% ethanol currently to accommodate older vehicles, though newer vehicles can handle up to 15% ethanol.   "Flex fuel" vehicles can handle up to 85% ethanol. Their engines are specially designed to adjust for ethanol's lower energy density. E85 fuel is 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Though its octane rating is around 105, it provides less energy so more fuel is needed to travel the same distance.   Using fuel with higher ethanol levels than a vehicle was designed for can damage components and trigger the check engine light.  Ethanol is added to gasoline in percentages to accommodate older vehicles. Flex-fuel vehicles can use higher ethanol blends. We discussed weird automotive myths like: cars should be disposed of after 100,000 miles, Old cars were better, and old cars lasted longer   If you would like to learn more about your car check out our blog over on our website: King's Auto Repair Website King's Auto Repair on Facebook: King's Auto Repair Facebook King’s Auto Repair on YouTube:  Kings Auto Repair YouTube King's Auto Repair on Instagram: Kings Auto Repair Instagram King's Auto Repair on TikTok: Kings Auto Repair TikTok King's Auto Repair on LinkedIn: King's Auto Repair LinkedIn King's Auto Repair on Pinterest:King's Auto Repair Pinterest Check your car for Safety Recalls: NHTSA.Gov If you have a comment or car question please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast live 10-18-2023

We had a great conversation about Pennsylvania Emissions testing on the radio show. It was so good I decided to cut it out of the show for its own podcast and write a blog post. Pennsylvania Emissions Waivers are difficult to navigate. Your car needs to fail emissions inspection 2 times and you need to have spent $150 towards fixing the emissions failure issue. Listen to the podcast to find out more and check out the blog post over on our website about Waivers.   If you would like to learn more about your car check out our blog over on our website: King's Auto Repair Website King's Auto Repair on Facebook: King's Auto Repair Facebook King’s Auto Repair on YouTube:  Kings Auto Repair YouTube King's Auto Repair on Instagram: Kings Auto Repair Instagram King's Auto Repair on TikTok: Kings Auto Repair TikTok King's Auto Repair on LinkedIn: King's Auto Repair LinkedIn King's Auto Repair on Pinterest:King's Auto Repair Pinterest Check your car for Safety Recalls: NHTSA.Gov If you have a comment or car question please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening.

On this episode we discuss spouses driving habits that the other can't stand. We argue about 2 and 4 lane highways. Tom gets to gloat about winning a disagreement. We also discuss Tom falling asleep, driving up on people and staying behind them. We also discuss Ashley's speeding and leaving the car in 2nd or 4th gear when she parks the car. This podcast seems more like a marital counseling secession than a car talk podcast. Let us know about what you think about this format by email us or leaving a comment. If you like us or hate us please leave us a review on you favorite podcasting app.   If you would like to learn more about your car check out our blog over on our website: King's Auto Repair Website King's Auto Repair on Facebook: King's Auto Repair Facebook King’s Auto Repair on YouTube:  Kings Auto Repair YouTube King's Auto Repair on Instagram: Kings Auto Repair Instagram King's Auto Repair on TikTok: Kings Auto Repair TikTok King's Auto Repair on LinkedIn: King's Auto Repair LinkedIn King's Auto Repair on Pinterest:King's Auto Repair Pinterest Check your car for Safety Recalls: NHTSA.Gov If you have a comment or car question please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening.

On today's show we discuss modern cars that are considered uncollectible. We talk about the crazy paint options on the new Corvette. Tom stumbles over a callers question about checking the level of a CVT transmission on a Honda Accord.     If you would like to learn more about your car check out our blog over on our website: King's Auto Repair Website King's Auto Repair on Facebook: King's Auto Repair Facebook King’s Auto Repair on YouTube:  Kings Auto Repair YouTube King's Auto Repair on Instagram: Kings Auto Repair Instagram King's Auto Repair on TikTok: Kings Auto Repair TikTok King's Auto Repair on LinkedIn: King's Auto Repair LinkedIn King's Auto Repair on Pinterest: King's Auto Repair Pinterest Check your car for Safety Recalls: NHTSA.Gov If you have a comment or car question please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast live 05/11/2023

On this episode we talk about a warranty company denying coverage on an engine. We also talk about oil changes and 30 bad driving habits. Tom claims he never yells at other drivers while driving. Ashley does not believe him mostly because she is sitting next to him. We also discuss speeding tickets and Jim calls in and confuses Tom and Ashley while trying to make a joke.   If you would like to learn more about your car check out our blog over on our website: King's Auto Repair Website King's Auto Repair on Facebook: King's Auto Repair Facebook King’s Auto Repair on YouTube:  Kings Auto Repair YouTube King's Auto Repair on Instagram: Kings Auto Repair Instagram King's Auto Repair on TikTok: Kings Auto Repair TikTok King's Auto Repair on LinkedIn: King's Auto Repair LinkedIn King's Auto Repair on Pinterest: King's Auto Repair Pinterest Check your car for Safety Recalls: NHTSA.Gov If you have a comment or car question please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast live 02/23/2023

On this episode of Idle Talk we discuss a Tesla stopping for no reason and causing an accident. We have a pretty good idea why it stopped and we discuss it.  A caller asks about brake, coolant, and power steering flushes.  We advise another caller on buying a car at an auction. Tom talks about an article he is writing about brake pads and why there are a lot of vibration issues now days. He expresses his frustration with the current state of brake pads.   If you would like to learn more about your car check out our blog over on our website: King's Auto Repair Website King's Auto Repair on Facebook: King's Auto Repair Facebook King’s Auto Repair on YouTube:  Kings Auto Repair YouTube King's Auto Repair on Instagram: Kings Auto Repair Instagram King's Auto Repair on TikTok: Kings Auto Repair TikTok King's Auto Repair on LinkedIn: King's Auto Repair LinkedIn King's Auto Repair on Pinterest: King's Auto Repair Pinterest Check your car for Safety Recalls: NHTSA.Gov If you have a comment or car question please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast live 01/12/2023

On today's show Ashley leads off with talking about the cars that were lost on the Felicity Ace cargo ship. Our hearts only bled for 1 car on that ship, the 1996 Honda Prelude SiR. We then talk about Ashley's driving and how she does not recognize anyone she passes on the road including her mom.   The discussion then turns to crash tests of cars made in India, crumple zones and the Moose crash test. Ashley did not believe that the Moose test was a real crash test. We Talk to a few callers and Discuss Seat belts and Airbags. The show gets rounded out with a short discussion on how to hot rod an electric car.     If you would like to learn more about your car check out our blog over on our website: King's Auto Repair Website King's Auto Repair on Facebook: King's Auto Repair Facebook King's Auto Repair on Instagram: Kings Auto Repair Instagram King's Auto Repair on TikTok: Kings Auto Repair TikTok King's Auto Repair on LinkedIn: King's Auto Repair LinkedIn King's Auto Repair on Pinterest:King's Auto Repair Pinterest Check your car for Safety Recalls: NHTSA.Gov If you have a comment or car question please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast live 4/8/2022

Tesla builds 1,000,000 car  Tesla Model 3 how to open the doors. On the model s their handle comes out when you walk up to it   model 3 key is cell phone/ credit card  no more tax credits for tesla $7500 to buy an electric cars. Talk about how tesla used the government tax credit to sell more cars and how they throttled the model 3 at release  to not release low end model 3s during the end of the tax credit   Diesel emissions and removing emissions equipment from trucks. smoking Prius out.   black smoke is unburned fuel coming out the tail pipe.   How the government went after a tv show that removed emissions equipment. because it is illegal to remove any emissions equipment on any vehicle in any state. Touch on diesel gate   Electric vehicle chargers. Are they universal? Talk about how you cant get a European diesel vehicle here because of the fuel.   Don't have the the emissions equipment   Joe calls about environment stuff and goes into state safety inspection. pa emissios law in 67 counties  by population density Talk about how pa emissions testing works how it is tied to federal highway dollars.  proposed emissions law change in Pa.   We talk about our Vehicle Health Report           If you would like to learn more about your car check out our blog over on our website: King's Auto Repair Website King's Auto Repair on Facebook: King's Auto Repair Facebook King's Auto Repair on Instagram: Kings Auto Repair Instagram King's Auto Repair on TikTok: Kings Auto Repair TikTok King's Auto Repair on LinkedIn: King's Auto Repair LinkedIn King's Auto Repair on Pinterest:King's Auto Repair Pinterest If you have a comment or car question please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast live 03/10/2022

Well since I have been lazy by not putting up our shows in a timely manner I thought I would do them as Flashback shows. During this show we flashback to the day the world shut down. We called in ourselves using the speakerphone in our office as our 1 and only microphone because the studio was closed. Our first topic of the night after the rona discussion was a recall on Ford F150 headlights being too bright and blinding drivers. Randy calls in later in the show to discuss the headlight conundrum we all now face. He also brings up the argument that pollution in other countries causes more damage than the cars here. Then we dive into who owns the data your car collects on you and your driving habits. This also brings up camera monitoring that the manufacturer does of you as you drive. The cameras are pointed at the inside of the car and can monitor the driver and passengers to see if they are paying attention to the road. We rap up the show with bad puns, a drive through confessional, and the Lemons Rally.     If you would like to learn more about your car check out our blog over on our website: King's Auto Repair Website King's Auto Repair on Facebook: King's Auto Repair Facebook King's Auto Repair on Instagram: Kings Auto Repair Instagram King's Auto Repair on TikTok: Kings Auto Repair TikToc King's Auto Repair on LinkedIn: King's Auto Repair LinkedIn King's Auto Repair on Pinterest:King's Auto Repair Pinterest Check your car for Safety Recalls: NHTSA.Gov If you have a comment or car question please email us at [email protected] Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast live 03/19/2020

I read a lot of used car warranty contracts for this.   It is here, our warranty show! We answer 3 questions and a statement about used car warranties: What should you look for Why do you think you need one What are the different types warranties Why we advocate to save your money and not purchase one We also unpack why you keep getting all these phone calls about extending your car's warranty. Then the discussion turns to how to differentiate between a good and bad warranty. Checking the coverage usually shows that items with high failure rates are not covered by a lot of these companies. Some of these items include lights and housings, shocks, trim, and glass among other things.  One major thing to pay attention to is how much these companies pay towards the repair. Most companies will not pay the shop rate and you will be responsible for the difference just like a health insurance plan. Some offer a supplemental plan to pay the difference between the shop rate and what they pay normally. They also have add on plans that cover the things they don’t cover. This podcast covers a lot and we could have continued for another 40 minutes. Take a listen and let us know what you think. If you have a comment or car question please email us at [email protected]. If you would like to learn more about your car check out our blog over on our website: King's Auto Repair Website King's Auto Repair on Facebook: King's Auto Repair Facebook King's Auto Repair on Instagram: Kings Auto Repair Instagram King's Auto Repair on TikTok: Kings Auto Repair TikTok King's Auto Repair on LinkedIn: King's Auto Repair LinkedIn King's Auto Repair on Pinterest:King's Auto Repair Pinterest Check your car for Safety Recalls: NHTSA.Gov References in this weeks show Leto's law  https://youtu.be/JGwSX0fBfuY   FTC article on used car warranty company in Florida  https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2022/02/ftc-charges-florida-based-sellers-deceptively-marketing-extended   Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast on 03/17/2022

Well since I have been lazy by not putting up our shows in a timely manner. I thought I would do them as Flashback shows. During this show Ashley and I talk about March snowstorms. They seem to come out of nowhere and dump a lot of snow just as the weather starts to warm up. Then we talk about a rare care that you might see on the road and wonder what it is; the Fisker Karma. It is an electric car with a range extender generator in it. It can go 80 miles on a charge and up to 360 using the range extender. They have since changed their name to just Karma. We discuss a cool new feature that India is using in their traffic lights, microphones. The idea is the more honking that happens at a red light the longer they are going to make you sit and wait. Then David calls in to ask about electric parking brakes. This unpacks why vehicle manufactures a moving to having electric park brakes on cars. Brian calls in to talk about his Chevy Trailblazer he just bought with a water leak. Autonomous driving has been making its way into our life. Tom talks about the different systems and how they work. We also take a guess at how long it will be until full autonomous cars are a mainstay here in America. We wrap up the show by talking about the top15 cars that will go more than 200,000 miles. News flash, the list lacks any Nissan product on it. One place you will find a Nissan is at an SCCA Rally Cross event which is were we spent our weekend watching off road racing.   Links to our Website and Social Media If you would like to learn more about your car check out our blog over on our website: King's Auto Repair Website King's Auto Repair on Facebook: King's Auto Repair Facebook King's Auto Repair on Instagram: Kings Auto Repair Instagram King's Auto Repair on TikTok: Kings Auto Repair TikTok King's Auto Repair on LinkedIn: King's Auto Repair LinkedIn King's Auto Repair on Pinterest:King's Auto Repair Pinterest Check your car for Safety Recalls: NHTSA.Gov If you have a comment or car question please email us at [email protected] Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast live 03/10/2022  

On this week's show we talk about shooting video for social media. We found a company that is doing Lithium battery recycling. A call comes in from Garth about leaking head gaskets on his 2003 Ford F150. Then we move to discussing the mini pickup trucks and how the ones from the 70s were like being in a Sardine can. The new ones are much nicer and get great fuel mileage. As always the electric cars come up as Ashley talks about Consumer reports take on Lucid and Rivian. We also talk about giving your car a name. Tom wraps up the show by talking about an odd lawsuit in Arizona. The lawsuit is against Jeep for not making an optional safety feature standard. The outcome of this lawsuit will have far reaching parameters in the auto repair industry. It may end up requiring autonomous driving features to be standard on vehicles and a yearly certification that those systems are calibrated and working properly.   If you would like to learn more about your car check out our blog over on our website: King's Auto Repair Website King's Auto Repair on Facebook: King's Auto Repair Facebook King's Auto Repair on Instagram: Kings Auto Repair Instagram King's Auto Repair on TikTok: Kings Auto Repair TikToc King's Auto Repair on LinkedIn: King's Auto Repair LinkedIn King's Auto Repair on Pinterest:King's Auto Repair Pinterest If you have a comment or car question please email us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast live 03/10/2022