Idle Talk Radio with Ashley and Tom

About Idle Talk Radio with Ashley and Tom

Idle Talk Radio is a weekly 50min car talk show that was on 830AM WEEU in Reading Pennsylvania. The show ran live from 2019 until 2023.

Publisher

Tom Dietrich

Category

leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Nov 2019

Latest episode

1 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

38 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   1 Aug 2026

   New Car Shortages, Rising Payments, Ethanol Fuel (E15/E85) Explained, and the Realities of EV Ownership

   This edition of Idle Talk, from King’s Auto Repair (West Reading), covers what local drivers are seeing every day: new vehicles are hard to find, prices are up, and payments are climbing. Tom and Ashley discuss real world examples like ordering delays, the cost of “average” vehicles, and why some shoppers end up buying whatever is available. The episode also tackles timely questions from callers:- Are manufacturers “rushing” cars to market and will quality suffer?- How long will gas vehicles realistically remain practical?- Why do EV fires make the news, and what’s different about putting them out?- And a big one for the summer: what is “88 octane” fuel (E15), is it safe, and how does it differ from E85 Flex Fuel? New cars can be “sold out” or not orderable—months-long waits are normal right now. If you want a specific trim or option package, expect delays or compromises.- Average payments are high. The show cites industry data putting average payments around:- New: ~$715/month  - Used: ~$532/month    (Great reminder that “not fancy” doesn’t always mean “inexpensive” anymore.)- Buying “non-desirable” configurations can save money. Example: a manual transmission vehicle or an “oddball” car sitting on a lot (wrong brand dealership, uncommon package) may be discounted.- Concern about rushed production: the hosts haven’t seen unusual recall trends tied to “rushing,” but warn that vehicles sitting unused can develop issues like tire flat-spotting/dry rot, wiper deterioration, and seal drying.- Gas vehicles aren’t going away overnight. The conversation suggests hybrids are likely a practical bridge for many drivers due to cost, infrastructure, and real-world range/towing needs.- EV fire suppression is different. Battery thermal events may reignite and can require significant cooling; this is one reason these fires get attention.- Fuel clarity matters: 88 octane is not the same as E85.- “88 octane” is typically E15 (up to 15% ethanol), often OK for many 2001+ vehicles (verify).  - E85 is ~85% ethanol and is for Flex Fuel vehicles only. Check the owner’s manual/gas cap. 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 Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast live 06-30-2022

2. 

   1 Jul 2026

   Diesel Oil in Gas Engines, Premium vs Ethanol Fuel, and Why That Airbag Light Matters

   This episode of Idle Talk from King’s Auto Repair (West Reading) mixes car-culture talk with real-world vehicle questions from local drivers. Tom and Ashley cover: - A practical breakdown of diesel-rated engine oil and when it may (or may not) be safe in a gasoline engine especially for older vehicles.- Why older luxury vehicles can be deceptively expensive to own, and why you should never buy a car with the check engine light on.- A discussion on traffic safety messaging, including why “Click It or Ticket” may be one of the few campaigns that truly moved the needle.- Listener Q&A on premium fuel vs ethanol-free fuel for a 2012 Acura MDX.- A key safety call about a seatbelt replacement that triggered an airbag light, and what that could mean for the whole restraint system.- A quick community plug for the Pagoda Hill Climb and how to volunteer. Key Takeaways- Check oil ratings before mixing diesel oil into a gas engine.    Look for the API “donut”/seal: gasoline ratings start with "S" (spark ignition), diesel ratings start with "C" (compression ignition). Some oils are rated for both others are not. - Older engines may need older-style additive packages.    The show notes that many older engines benefitted from additives (often discussed as anti-wear chemistry like zinc/phosphorus packages). Vehicle owners with classics should use oil that matches the engine’s needs not just the newest spec on the shelf. - Buying an older luxury car isn’t “cheap luxury.”    Depreciation may lower the purchase price, but parts, diagnostics, and repairs don’t depreciate the same way. Budget for ownership, not just the sale price. - Never buy a car with the check engine light on “because it’s probably nothing.”    A warning light can hide expensive problems (and some items like catalytic converters are commonly excluded from many third party warranties). - Read the fine print on vehicle service contracts.    Deductibles, coverage limits, exclusions, and “adjuster required” steps can change what a warranty is actually worth when a real repair is needed. - Premium fuel recommendations are often about performance, not basic drivability.   For the Acura MDX caller: using the manufacturer-recommended octane helps the engine deliver its intended power/efficiency, but ethanol-free fuel typically matters more in small engines, seasonal equipment, or older fuel systems than in many 2012-era vehicles. - An airbag light after a seatbelt repair should be treated as urgent.    Seatbelts can include pretensioners and sensors tied into the SRS (airbag) system. If the light is on, the system may be impaired and should be scanned with proper equipment and repaired promptly. - The left lane is for passing.    A brief but relatable reminder: if you’re matching the right lane speed, you’re not passing, move over. 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 Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast live 06-24-2022

3. 

   1 Jun 2026

   Used Car Red Flags, Catalytic Converter Theft, Seatbelt Fixes & Chasing Oil Leaks

   In this episode of Idle Talk, Tom and Ashley from King’s Auto Repair cover real world issues local drivers are dealing with right now:  - Why buying a used car with the check engine light on is almost never a “quick sensor fix”  - How catalytic converter failures (and theft attempts) are hitting wallets and what you can do to reduce your risk  - A listener question about a stuck seatbelt, how the locking mechanism works, and when it’s time for replacement  - A practical discussion of oil leaks how shops trace them, when they’re urgent, and how one leak can trigger other drivability/emissions problems  - A call-in conversation about loud exhaust, inspection enforcement, headlight alignment, and illegal lighting mods These topics are great reminders that small “annoyances” (lights, smells, leaks, noises) often point to bigger issues—and that a trusted shop inspection can save drivers from expensive surprises. Key Takeaways- Never buy a used car with the check engine light on. If it were truly “just an O₂ sensor,” it likely would’ve been repaired before sale. A check engine light can indicate expensive emissions failures (like catalytic converters) or deeper engine performance problems. - Pre-purchase inspections catch what Carfax can miss. Carfax is helpful, but it depends on reporting. Repairs paid out-of-pocket or not processed through insurance may not show up. A shop inspection can spot clues like panel work, welding, rust bubbles, and underside damage. - Catalytic converters are costly (and theft is real).   Converters contain precious metals, which drives both replacement costs and theft attempts. Even a “failed” converter can be valuable to thieves. - Seatbelt retractors can lock up, sometimes it’s a mechanism issue, not a “broken belt.”   Seatbelts can get stuck in child seat ratchet mode or jam internally. If it won’t retract/unlock, don’t force it especially if pretensioners are involved. - Oil leaks aren’t just messy, they can trigger check engine lights and damage components.   A PCV system fault can pull oil into the intake, contaminate emissions components, and create driveability issues. Oil can also drift and spread underhood, making the true source harder to find. - Diagnosis often starts with cleaning.  For heavy oil leaks, the first step is frequently cleaning the area, running the engine, and re-checking sometimes using cardboard/drip tracing to narrow down leak origin. - “They sell it online” doesn’t mean it’s legal.   The show touches on illegal lighting colors (blue hue), headlight alignment concerns, exhaust modifications, and wheels protruding beyond fenders issues that affect safety and legality. 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 Idletalkradio830@gmail.com. Thank you for listening. This show was originally broadcast live 06-16-2022

Reach and audience

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.