Louis Altazan
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In this fast moving and lively program callers ask questions and offer comments on a wide range of auto repair and automotive topics. With over 45 years as an automotive technician and independent shop owner, host Louis Altazan pulls no punches sharing his insight and opinions. Get the skinny on dealership maintenance departments. Learn about "tricks" to sucker you in for extensive repairs. Light in tone, but heavy on information, you'll learn about everything from what new or used vehicle to buy to diagnosing and solving an array of automotive problems. Check out this Podcast and keep your motor running with...
Based on 6 episodes we listened to · September 2026
Clear mechanical reasoning connects everyday maintenance choices to safety, repair costs and the longer life of a vehicle.
A caller brings in a symptom, and The Automotive Hour, Weekly Podcast of AGCO Automotive Corporation turns it into a lesson in how cars work and how repair decisions compound.
Louis Altazan asks what else is wrong with the car before your transmission bill gets a verdict.
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Short reviews from the PlayNext desk, based on the episodes we processed.
Dashboard warning lights become a practical question of code, symptom, and service.
This episode treats dashboard warning lights as a matter of reading the signs well as fixing the hardware. It keeps coming back to the same point: one code or symptom can point in more than one direction, so the real question is how much evidence a shop has before it calls…
A practical seasonal checkup on safer coolant service, aging hoses, and maintenance habits that avoid shortcuts.
Seasonal maintenance sets the frame for this call-in automotive program, with cooler Baton Rouge weather leading Lewis Aldersam and Brian Terry into coolant service, engine oil, hoses, and the shop rush that can arrive after the first hot day.
A practical tire-safety episode links better rear placement with the driveline risks of uneven all-wheel-drive wear.
Good car advice often matters most when it overturns a mistake that sounds reasonable. This episode does that with tire placement, explaining why the better tires belong at the rear even on a front-wheel-drive car.
A practical live diagnosis traces a locked driver's door to the actuator inside the latch.
The Automotive Hour turns a stubborn locked-door complaint into a useful troubleshooting path. A remote that silences the alarm while leaving the driver's door locked points away from the remote and toward something inside that door.
A clear, patient look at why modern cars resist casual changes and why a check-engine code starts the diagnosis rather than ends it.
The Automotive Hour looks at why newer vehicles behave less like collections of separate parts and more like closely linked systems. Lewis Alexander and Brian Terry use the check-engine light as the cleanest example: a code can point toward the area where trouble is showing up,…
A car symptom is easier to understand when the trigger conditions are part of the diagnosis.
The Automotive Hour keeps the focus on a simple, practical habit: a repair question gets clearer when the conditions around the symptom are treated as part of the symptom. Al Zan and Mr. Brian Terry keep steering callers back toward the moment a problem appears.
Safety standards meet real-world emergencies.
Professional conversations on safer, smarter mobility.
Tolling, plate cameras and road data, with TTI's editors.
The hosts encourage listeners to call in with automotive questions, promote their website for contact, and then take a call from Tracy in Montana about timing belt replacement costs for a 1998 Honda CRV with high mileage and oil usage.
The hosts introduce a live call-in automotive show, take a call from Gustavus discussing post-storm recovery and email communication.
The hosts discuss a caller's question about 2019-2021 Toyota Tundras lacking a traditional transmission cooler, explaining Toyota's use of a transmission heater that functions as a heat exchanger to manage fluid temperature.
The hosts discuss how prolonged heavy rain leads to flooding on roads due to saturated ground and full drainage systems.
The hosts discuss the importance of maintaining windshield wiper blades, noting common issues like streaking and reduced effectiveness over time, and emphasize regular replacement for better visibility during rainy weather.
A caller asks about the feasibility of keeping a 2007 Nissan Xterra if a major issue like engine failure occurs, and the hosts discuss factors like vehicle condition, personal preference, and cost comparisons to help decide.
The hosts discuss the importance of proper automotive maintenance, using brake fluid changes as an example, and emphasize selecting the right shop or gathering information for DIY tasks.
The hosts introduce their automotive advice radio show, provide contact details, and begin discussing the topic of aftermarket parts, focusing on the difference between price and long-term cost.
The hosts discuss automotive topics, focusing on brake flushing, its absence from American car maintenance schedules, and differences in brake fluid types between American and European vehicles.
The hosts discuss an email from a listener about a forum debate on whether transmission service is necessary, using a teeth brushing analogy to argue for preventive maintenance.
The hosts invite listeners to call in with automotive questions, discuss being old school and not owning a cell phone, and share a story about fixing a vacuum.
The hosts encourage listeners to call in live from Baton Rouge, discuss email spam issues on their website, and briefly mention a weight loss program before Joe joins.
The hosts encourage listeners to call in with automotive questions during their live show, mention upcoming breaks due to Mardi Gras, and provide alternative contact methods via their website.
A caller describes an issue with their 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 where the headlights stay on after turning off the switch, likely due to an electrical short, and receives advice on diagnosing it with a wiring diagram or seeking professional help.
The hosts discuss the return of their live show in 2015, encourage listener calls, and explain how to access the program via podcast and live streaming.
The hosts discuss how fluid levels in cars, such as windshield washer fluid and brake fluid, indicate normal consumption or potential issues, with brake fluid decreasing due to brake pad wear but never dropping below the minimum line.
The hosts announce their final episode after 30 years, inviting listeners to call in for a recap of key topics, starting with the principle that nothing is free.
The hosts discuss a listener's correction about disabling GM's active fuel management system being legal in California with a BAR waiver, explaining how aftermarket devices work and potential warranty implications.
The host discusses a listener's issue with a 2017 Chevrolet pickup truck experiencing torque converter failure at 70,000 miles, offering advice on negotiating with GM for repair costs.
The hosts discuss receiving automotive questions from international listeners, share a specific case about a Land Rover's brake pads, and plan to talk about selling used cars while introducing a guest for the James Dean run.
This segment discusses the history of Chevrolet, including its 100-year anniversary in 2011, founders William Durant and Louis Chevrolet, and early production starting in 1912.
A caller named Clark seeks advice on resetting his 2004 Camry's throttle body after installing an aftermarket part, and the host explains the 'brain dead' procedure involving disconnecting the battery and letting the car relearn idle.
The hosts discuss common questions about what maintenance to perform on cars at specific mileage points, emphasizing that there's no one-size-fits-all answer due to each vehicle's unique usage and history.
The hosts discuss DIY oil changes, emphasizing safety and the need to properly lift a car for access.
A caller shares his experience with upgrading his 15-year-old Nissan SUV's radiator, warning about potential issues and asking about proper battery voltage.
A caller named Grant describes a car issue with his dashboard sensor indicating a charging system problem, and the host explains that low alternator voltage might be due to PCM control rather than a faulty alternator.
The hosts introduce a listener's request to explain how the lubrication system works in modern engines, specifically focusing on a 2004 Chevy Peugeot pickup with a six-liter engine, while inviting other automotive questions.
The hosts encourage listeners to call in with automotive questions and discuss the benefits of a management forum for auto repair shops where experience and new ideas are shared.
The hosts introduce their automotive advice show, encourage listeners to call or visit their website for resources, and discuss an article on preventing wheel bearing failure through proper servicing and adjustment.
The hosts discuss car restoration, focusing on classic cars like the 57 Chevrolet and how perceptions of cool cars have evolved over time.
The hosts discuss hurricane preparations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as a major storm approaches, addressing concerns about evacuation and vehicle readiness.
A caller asks about a period when cars were reliable and easily repairable before modern complexities, and the host responds by favoring mid-1990s to mid-2000s vehicles for their balance of comfort and reliability.
A caller describes issues with a 2004 four-cylinder engine's throttle body sticking open and hard starting, with error codes P0 and P2112, and the host suggests it might be an internal fault in the electronically controlled throttle body.
The hosts encourage listeners to call in with automotive questions, emphasizing that calls help the broader audience and noting their international reach via the Internet.
The hosts introduce their automotive call-in show, encourage listeners to call or use their website for questions, and begin discussing the topic of buying used or new vehicles, noting increased summer sales.
The hosts discuss using manufacturer websites as a resource for comparing car models and features while cautioning about potential bias.
This segment discusses the considerations and challenges of DIY car rebuilding, including when to seek professional help for tasks like air conditioning repair and painting, emphasizing the importance of planning and proper facilities.
The hosts discuss the frustrations of daylight savings time and introduce a website tool for time management, leading into a broader conversation about beneficial technologies.
The hosts encourage listeners to call in with automotive questions, discuss the benefits of phone calls over texting, and provide contact information for their show.
The hosts introduce their automotive advice show, encourage listeners to call or use their website for questions, and announce they will discuss vehicle vibrations as a common topic.
A caller named Mike asks about quieting down his noisy 1996 vehicle transmission, and the host explains it's likely due to failing bearings and suggests checking if the noise persists in neutral or while coasting, with options to rebuild or buy used.
The hosts discuss frame and chassis repair for various vehicles including automobiles, UTVs, ATVs, and boat trailers, emphasizing cost-effective straightening methods over replacement.
A mechanic discusses a recurring problem with cracked head bolt castings in Chevy pickup trucks with LS V-8 engines, leading to coolant leaks into the oil, particularly in Castek heads made in Mexico.
The hosts introduce their automotive advice show, take a call from a listener named Randy who praises the podcast and commercials, and discuss the show's production details.
The hosts encourage listeners to call in with automotive questions, mention their website for contact, and introduce a story about a Toyota horn issue.
A listener calls in with a question about black granules in the overflow tank after changing the radiator and hoses on an older car, seeking advice on car maintenance.
The hosts introduce the Automotive Hour call-in show, discuss the weather and cultural aspects of Louisiana, and explain local terms like 'parang'.
In this episode of The Automotive Hour, host Louis Altazan and guest Brian Gary discuss the importance of learning fundamental principles in automotive repair, using an analogy to language learning.
Host Lewis Altman and co-host Brian Terry discuss listener questions, focusing on the complexities and cost-ineffectiveness of hybrid cars, explaining why they don't save enough money despite high fuel efficiency.
Hosts Louis Altazan and Brian Terry take caller questions on automotive issues, focusing on dashboard warning lights.
Lewis Aldersam and Brian Terry spend The Automotive Hour on coolant service, radiator life, hose inspection, thermostat replacement, and belt wear in older cars.
The Automotive Hour episode from October 17, 2020 centers on starter diagnosis, tire placement, and repair decisions that can save an older truck.
Lewis Althazan and Brian Gary spend the episode on AC failures in a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado, including a compressor that cuts out after 10 to 15 minutes and may be driven by a low-pressure switch, clutch power, or a control-head command.
Lewis Alexander and Brian Terry use The Automotive Hour to argue that modern vehicles are engineered so tightly that a bigger fan, lower thermostat, or extra wiring can create new failures instead of fixing the original problem.
Lewis Alderson and Brian Terry argue that the wrong complaint can send a shop down the wrong diagnostic path.
Lewis Alves and Brian Terry examine whether a $2,000-$4,000 transmission repair makes sense on an older vehicle.
Lewis Alzan and Brian Terry define "NEFR" as "not economically feasible to repair" and explain why neglected vehicles become money pits.
Lewis Alderson and Brian Terry focus on fuel pumps, fuel pressure, ethanol, and repair costs during The Automotive Hour on February 16, 2019.