Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor - February 21, 2026 - Hour 2 - Hard Brakes, Vanishing Coolant, and Buying a First Truck

It’s a busy hour on Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor—and the calls cover everything from safety to big-dollar decisions. First, Frank calls about a 2015 Chevy Suburban with an intermittent hard brake pedal. Ron points to a known GM issue involving the engine-driven vacuum pump and brake booster contamination, and explains the smart first test to confirm it. Next, Stan’s 2019 Ford Escape 1.5L is losing coolant with no visible external leak, raising concerns about internal engine issues and the frustrations of dealing with extended warranty “script readers.” Ron lays out a logical path: prove what it’s not, document what it is, and push for coverage. Then, a 2021 Jeep Wrangler owner reports cold hard shifts into 3rd/4th—Ron suggests checking for pending codes, software updates, and relevant service bulletins before damage gets worse. Finally, James asks what to look for as his son buys his first vehicle: a 2009 Chevy Silverado with 163k miles. Ron gives the real-world checklist—rust, maintenance history, fluids, overall condition, and budgeting for what happens if the drivetrain quits. As always: don’t assume—test, verify, and make decisions with your eyes open. Grab your Car Doctor gear – T-shirts & more at CarDoctorShow.com Follow the wrench – Instagram @ronananian for shop life & behind-the-scenes Watch & learn – Auto repair tips & videos on our YouTube Channel Got a car question? Call the Car Doctor Hotline 24/7 – (855) 560-9900 Join the conversation LIVE – Saturdays 2–4 PM Eastern      See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.