This episode was recorded live on Friday, August 7, 2026 on WNRI 1380AM & 99.9FM in Woonsocket, RI.

This week on The Nathan Markley Show, Nathan is joined by his dad Glenn for another Ask a Mechanic segment. They dig into whether you can still push a car in neutral with today's transfer cases and all-wheel-drive systems, why flat-towing without a transfer case can cook your transmission, and what that "key fob battery low" warning on your dashboard actually means.
Nathan and Glenn also take a deep dive into the RF technology behind keyless entry — how vehicles are constantly broadcasting a signal to find your key fob, and how you can actually hear it with a simple AM radio. Regular caller Mike from Cranston phones in with extra key fob tips, including hidden center-console antennas and how to jump-start a dead Tesla's 12-volt backup battery.

Plus: two major NHTSA recalls (Dodge Ram 1500 seat belt buckles and Ford Explorer/Lincoln Aviator power seats), a "this day in automotive history" look back at Ford and Navistar's short-lived Blue Diamond Truck Company, a listener email about an intermittent license plate bulb warning, and this week's automotive trivia question: what year did a spare tire first become standard equipment on a vehicle?

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Welcome

04:01 – Neutral Gear, Flat-Towing & Transfer Cases

11:05 – Key Fob Battery Low Warning

13:37 – RF & Key Fob Hacking Deep Dive

27:19 – Caller Mike from Cranston: Hidden Antennas & Tesla Tips

35:11 – Trivia: First Standard Spare Tire

36:12 – NHTSA Recalls: Dodge Ram 1500 & Ford Explorer/Lincoln Aviator

47:00 – This Day in Automotive History: Blue Diamond Truck Co.

53:07 – Email Q&A: Intermittent License Plate Bulb Warning

Sponsors and Affiliates:

Hillview Auto Body – Johnston, Rhode Island. Gold Class Certified, over 45 years of quality collision repair. Quality you can see, service you can trust.

Lydia Smith, Realtor – Century 21 Stahirsky Agency – Over 15 years of experience in Northern Rhode Island real estate.

Advertise with us: https://nathanmarkley.net/advertise

Have an automotive question for our "Ask a Mechanic" segment? Submit your questions here: https://nathanmarkley.net/askamechanic

Listen to the show every Friday night at 6:05pm EST on WNRI 1380 AM 99.9 FM or online at https://wnri.com and Call in: 401-766-1380 | 1-800-949-WNRI.

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This episode was recorded live on Friday, July 31, 2026 on WNRI 1380AM & 99.9FM in Woonsocket, RI.

Nathan and Glenn kick off the show recapping their trip to Monster Jam at Gillette Stadium — from the pit party and meeting drivers to the standing-start drag races, four-wheel steering, and jaw-dropping freestyle tricks like backflips and two-wheel driving. They talk about how the sport has grown, the rise of women drivers, and how fan voting now plays a role in determining freestyle winners.

Nathan also debuts a new project: his YouTube channel, Markley Chats. He plays a clip from the first episode, filmed at Beavertail in Jamestown with photographer Norm, answering a listener's question about the best camera and lens setup for capturing baseball and softball action — covering zoom lenses, aperture, ISO, and the exposure triangle. Watch the video: https://youtu.be/frhx-3CEiLA

In Ask a Mechanic, Glenn answers an email from Manny in Woonsocket about why his shop recommended replacing all four tires on his all-wheel drive CR-V instead of just the two worn ones — a deep dive into tread depth, rolling circumference, and power transfer units. Glenn also covers a new Toyota recall affecting the Grand Highlander and Lexus TX over a rear axle carrier manufacturing defect, plus a fascinating aside on how a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Japan forced Toyota and Honda to briefly halt production. The show wraps with a fun trivia question about the 1990 Indianapolis 500 pace car, answered correctly by a caller: the Chevrolet Beretta.

Sponsors and Affiliates:

Hillview Auto Body – Johnston, Rhode Island. Gold Class Certified, over 45 years of quality collision repair. Quality you can see, service you can trust.

Lydia Smith, Realtor – Century 21 Stahirsky Agency – Over 15 years of experience in Northern Rhode Island real estate.

Advertise with us: https://nathanmarkley.net/advertise

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

1:20 Monster Jam Recap

11:04 Markley Chats YouTube Channel Announcement

24:12 Ad Break – Lydia Smith, Century 21 Stachurski Agency

25:38 Email: Manny in Woonsocket – AWD Tire Replacement Question

27:04 All-Wheel Drive vs Four-Wheel Drive Explained

29:11 Tread Depth, Rolling Circumference & Power Transfer Units

36:11 Trivia Question – 1990 Indy 500 Pace Car

37:32 Ad Break – Hillview Auto Body

38:49 This Day in Automotive History – Henry Ford & Chevy Beretta

39:27 Caller Bill – Trivia Attempt

41:11 Toyota Recall – Grand Highlander & Lexus TX Rear Axle

44:46 Caller – Trivia Answer: Chevrolet Beretta

45:29 1990 Indy 500 Speed Record & Beretta History

47:58 Ad Break

49:58 Japan Earthquake – Toyota & Honda Plant Shutdowns

52:22 Show Wrap-Up & Sign-Off

Have an automotive question for our "Ask a Mechanic" segment? Submit your questions here: https://nathanmarkley.net/askamechanic

Listen to the show every Friday night at 6:05pm EST on WNRI 1380 AM 99.9 FM or online at https://wnri.com and Call in: 401-766-1380 | 1-800-949-WNRI.

Help Spread The Word

Share this episode and podcast with your family and friends.

If you dug this episode, head over to Apple Podcast and kindly leave me a review and follow the show!

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-markley-show/id1463188003

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eYdLQIaogTPzmYhQxA9vF

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Website: https://www.nathanmarkley.net/

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This episode was recorded live on Friday, July 24, 2026 on WNRI 1380AM & 99.9FM in Woonsocket, RI.

On this milestone episode, Nathan and his dad Glenn look back at their favorite moments from the past 20 weeks of the show — engaged callers, the interview with photographer Norm, the Rhode Island Feline Rescue visit, and the very first guest appearance on the show.

Then it's time for Ask a Mechanic: Glenn tracks down why Herbie the Love Bug wears the number 53 (hint: it's a baseball tribute) and explains why Mazda discontinued the RX-7's rotary engine. A new recurring segment debuts too — This Day in Automotive History — kicking off with the Dodge Caravan's fourth-generation launch in July 2000 and a look back at the minivan's 42-year production run.

Callers Bill and Mike from Cranston phone in with their own Dodge Colt and Caravan stories, and Mike shares an important safety tip for anyone driving a Tesla. Glenn also answers a listener's email question about why the Honda Ridgeline is classified as a midsize pickup.

Sponsors and Affiliates:

Hillview Auto Body – Johnston, Rhode Island. Gold Class Certified, over 45 years of quality collision repair. Quality you can see, service you can trust.

Lydia Smith, Realtor – Century 21 Stahirsky Agency – Over 15 years of experience in Northern Rhode Island real estate.

Advertise with us: https://nathanmarkley.net/advertise

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Welcome

03:09 – Celebrating 21 Weeks: Favorite Moments & Callers

06:55 – Best Guest Segments: Photographer Norm & RI Feline Rescue

09:44 – First Episode Flashback: Special Education Law

13:54 – Podcast Meets Radio: Reaching Every Audience

18:46 – New Segment Tease: This Day in Automotive History

23:01 – Ask a Mechanic: Herbie's 53 & the Mazda RX-7's Rotary Engine

27:04 – Trivia: Name That Horse-Named Vehicle

29:07 – This Day in Automotive History: Dodge Caravan's 4th Generation

41:42 – Caller Mike from Cranston: Minivan Memories & a Tesla Safety Tip

51:51 – Ask a Mechanic: Honda Ridgeline's Midsize Classification & Sign-Off

Have an automotive question for our "Ask a Mechanic" segment? Submit your questions here: https://nathanmarkley.net/askamechanic

Listen to the show every Friday night at 6:05pm EST on WNRI 1380 AM 99.9 FM or online at https://wnri.com and Call in: 401-766-1380 | 1-800-949-WNRI.

Help Spread The Word

Share this episode and podcast with your family and friends.

If you dug this episode, head over to Apple Podcast and kindly leave me a review and follow the show!

Follow The Nathan Markley Show wherever you listen to podcasts!

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-markley-show/id1463188003

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eYdLQIaogTPzmYhQxA9vF

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nathanmarkley

Website: https://www.nathanmarkley.net/

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This episode was recorded live on Friday, July 17, 2026 on WNRI 1380AM & 99.9FM in Woonsocket, RI.

Nathan and Glenn open with a deep dive into Microsoft's decision to extend Windows 10 security support for another year through October 12, 2027, via the free Extended Security Updates (ESU) program. Nathan breaks down who's eligible, how to enroll without paying the $30 fee by syncing a Microsoft account, and what happens behind the scenes when your PC is protected versus left vulnerable. They also touch on whether other antivirus companies can still support aging Windows 10 machines, and tease an upcoming discussion on using Linux to extend the life of older computers.

Glenn opens Ask a Mechanic with a fun trivia question about a late-60s movie starring a racing Volkswagen Beetle — and it doesn't take long for a caller to nail it: Herbie the Love Bug, car number 53. That same caller, a first-time caller, long-time listener named Mark, sparks a great conversation about the Mazda RX-7's rotary engine, the Volkswagen Scirocco, and the infamous Volkswagen "Dieselgate" emissions scandal, including a book recommendation on the subject.

Glenn also follows up on a caller from the previous week regarding 1950s Pontiac Hydra-Matic transmissions that could roll away even in "park," and answers an email from Paul in Lincoln about installing a Bluetooth radio into his 1998 Ford Taurus — covering wiring harness kits, speaker polarity testing with a battery, and keep-alive memory circuits.

Chapters:

0:00 Intro

2:07 Windows 10 ESU Enrollment Explained

11:55 Ad Break – Hillview Auto Body

13:31 Trivia Question – 1960s Movie Starring a VW Beetle

15:59 Caller Mark - Trivia Anwser and Mazda RX-7 Rotary Engine & VW Scirocco Discussion

20:56 PBS Motorsports Documentary Recommendation

21:59 Volkswagen Dieselgate & Book Recommendation

27:00 Ad Break – Lydia Smith, Century 21 Stachurski Agency

28:32 Follow-Up: 1950s Pontiac Hydra-Matic Rolling Issue

32:14 Email from Paul in Lincoln – Bluetooth Radio Install

42:15 Show Wrap-Up & Sign-Off

Sponsors and Affiliates:

Hillview Auto Body – Johnston, Rhode Island. Gold Class Certified, over 45 years of quality collision repair. Quality you can see, service you can trust.

Lydia Smith, Realtor – Century 21 Stahirsky Agency – Over 15 years of experience in Northern Rhode Island real estate.

Get a month free of podcasting service with Libsyn using the link and promo code 'NATHAN' below. Sign up & have your voice heard—everywhere! Get on Apple & Spotify, get critical stats & everything you need to sound your best and grow your show!! - https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=NATHAN

Advertise with us: https://nathanmarkley.net/advertise

Have an automotive question for our "Ask a Mechanic" segment? Submit your questions here: https://nathanmarkley.net/askamechanic

Listen to the show every Friday night at 6:05pm EST on WNRI 1380 AM 99.9 FM or online at https://wnri.com and Call in: 401-766-1380 | 1-800-949-WNRI.

Help Spread The Word

Share this episode and podcast with your family and friends.

If you dug this episode, head over to Apple Podcast and kindly leave me a review and follow the show!

Follow The Nathan Markley Show wherever you listen to podcasts!

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-markley-show/id1463188003

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eYdLQIaogTPzmYhQxA9vF

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nathanmarkley

Website: https://www.nathanmarkley.net/

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This episode was recorded live on Friday, July 10, 2026 on WNRI 1380AM & 99.9FM in Woonsocket, RI.

The EU just ruled that Facebook and Instagram's endless scroll, autoplay, and push notifications are designed to be addictive — and in Europe, that may now be illegal. Nathan breaks down the Digital Services Act findings, Australia's under-16 social media ban, France's pending ban bill, and the big question: would you upload your ID just to keep your social media account?

Then Glenn joins for Ask a Mechanic: a Ford recall affecting 740,000 vehicles that can roll away while in park, a Honda Odyssey backup camera recall, listener calls with runaway car stories, a Knight Rider trivia challenge, and the incredible safety features of the 1948 Tucker — the car built 50 years ahead of its time.

CHAPTERS

0:00 Welcome

3:07 EU ruling: Facebook & Instagram designed to be addictive

9:17 Social media age bans: Australia, France & the EU

11:16 Age verification — would you upload your ID?

13:59 Who's really the product? Ads, influencers & addiction

22:20 Ad: Lydia Smith, Century 21 Stachurski Agency

23:38 Ask a Mechanic with Glenn + car trivia question

26:51 Ford recall: 740,000 vehicles that can roll away in park

31:01 Caller: the Pontiac LeMans park problem

33:36 Honda Odyssey backup camera recall

35:03 Mike from Cranston: runaway van story & smartphone addiction

43:49 Ad: Hillview Auto Body

45:02 The Tucker 48: safety features 50 years ahead of their time

48:41 Trivia answered: Knight Rider's KITT

50:55 More Tucker innovations: crash chamber & swiveling headlight

53:08 Wrap-up

Sponsors and Affiliates:

Hillview Auto Body – Johnston, Rhode Island. Gold Class Certified, over 45 years of quality collision repair. Quality you can see, service you can trust.

Lydia Smith, Realtor – Century 21 Stahirsky Agency – Over 15 years of experience in Northern Rhode Island real estate.

Advertise with us: https://nathanmarkley.net/advertise

Have an automotive question for our "Ask a Mechanic" segment? Submit your questions here: https://nathanmarkley.net/askamechanic

Listen to the show every Friday night at 6:05pm EST on WNRI 1380 AM 99.9 FM or online at https://wnri.com and Call in: 401-766-1380 | 1-800-949-WNRI.

Help Spread The Word

Share this episode and podcast with your family and friends.

If you dug this episode, head over to Apple Podcast and kindly leave me a review and follow the show!

Follow The Nathan Markley Show wherever you listen to podcasts!

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-markley-show/id1463188003

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eYdLQIaogTPzmYhQxA9vF

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nathanmarkley

Website: https://www.nathanmarkley.net/

Follow Nathan on:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/nathanmarkleyshow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanmarkley0