Car Talk Podcast

Car Talk Podcast #1945: Phantom Foot ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Amy's husband is no longer driving a stick shift but is still using both feet, keeping his left foot on the brake. Is this dangerous and can Tom and Ray help Amy find something else for him to do with that foot? Elsewhere, Esther is looking for a Get Out of Speeding Tickets Free card due to her car's stuck idle; Edabeth's Volvo sounds like an airplane readying for takeoff; and Nathan wants to take shade tree mechanic to a whole new level. He's camping out in a redwood tree to protest deforestation, and has noticed that one of the trucks passing by every day is running rough. Can he diagnose this from his leafy perch? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #1946: Mmm, Donuts ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on the Best of Car Talk, Ben and his brother took their dad's Camry for a ride--in reverse, in the neighbor's yard, with the steering wheel cocked all the way to one side. They had a great time! The Camry's power steering, not so much. Elsewhere, Al and his friend disagree over whether to take speed bumps with two wheels or four; Kathy is miffed that her husband carries a picture of his beloved Studebaker in his wallet, but not one of her; Wendall, and his insurer, want to know why his truck caught on fire; and did a neighborly gesture really kill Daniel's alternator, as his wife predicted? All this and more, this week on the Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #1947: Ray Caught Working ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on the Best of Car Talk, we demonstrate just how much effort goes into. . . .embarrassing Tom and Ray. You didn't think we were talking about putting effort into the show, were you? Elsewhere, "Sweetie" has to decide whether to rebuild her Explorer's transmission or limp along without 5th gear, and Tom and Ray have to decide how many times they can call her Sweetie without getting into big trouble. Also, should Ruth follow her husband's or father's conflicting advice on tire pressure; Ellen thinks her mechanic is blowing sulfur up her skirt over her Camry's smell; Glen spilled a little oil and set his rental car engine on fire; and on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Bill managed to drive a stick shift to the high school dance and save his social life. All this ...

Car Talk Podcast #1948: Honesty Will Always Get You in Trouble ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Prashanth's new wife is about to come to America for the first time. Should he greet her with his beat-up Corolla, spring for a new car, or try to fake it by renting something until it's too late for her to turn back to India? Elsewhere, Al stands accused of "careless parking"—his brother says Al pulls into the garage in a way that makes it impossible to back out. Is this even physically possible? Also, Father Bob needs a heavy duty flasher, so he can hear his turn signals; a piece of hot molten lead fell on Pam's foot from under the dash while she was driving; and, Deanna's Civic's battery has been stolen several times in the last few months. Does she need a Rottweiler under the hood? All this and more, this week on T...

Car Talk Podcast #1949: Stop and Chat ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Out in Gustavas, Alaska, Janet and her neighbors like to stop and talk to each other when they're driving. One of the topics: whether their cars are better off idling or being shut off during the conversation. This week on the Best of Car Talk, Tom and Ray weigh in, and one Magliozzi manages to book himself a night sleeping in the garage. Elsewhere, Heidi's Lincoln is under attack from a bird that's pecking at its own reflection. Can Heidi protect her car without landing on the Audubon Society's Most Wanted list? Also, Shawn's Caravan seems to be channeling Maurice Chevalier; John got a smokey lesson in what happens when you leave the filler cap off after an oil change; and Steve's truck is bouncing like a basketball on bumpy roads. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Ta...

Car Talk Podcast #1950: The Great Cow Magnet Caper ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, could cow stomach magnets have improved the gas mileage on Tim's Jaguar? Or is that udderly (sorry) ridiculous? Meanwhile, down in Antarctica, summer is coming, but Matt's vehicle is still having trouble when the thermometer dips below a balmy minus 40 degrees. And, Tom and Ray are in the holiday spirit with some creative gift suggestions for men, comforting advice for Adrian who wants to put a wreath on her car but is worried it will spontaneously combust, and a lesson for Scott that it is the stingy man who spends the most. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #1951: One Truck a-Dangling ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Bill Bailey's truck made a horrible noise and lost reverse. But, the fun really began when it rolled into a lake after Bill got home. Now the only thing keeping it from sinking is one cable. Elsewhere, Victoria is looking for a quartet of $2,000 cars for her sons; Jenny's newlywed husband lost 15 pounds and his now-oversized wedding ring is missing in their Jeep's dashboard; Lindsay is wondering whether to charge her husband with sabotage after he drove her Malibu 300 miles in 2nd gear; and on Stump the Chumps, we find out if David lost his car-induced cough, but kept all his brain cells. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #1952: Blow it Out ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Jill's pal keeps telling her she needs to do more highway driving to "blow the stuff" out of her car. Jill's not opposed to this on principle, but she would like to know what she's trying to blow out. Elsewhere, Eleanor is leaving on a 6-month around the world bicycle tour and she wants to know what to do with her truck while she's gone. Tom and Ray want to know how Eleanor plans to pedal across a few oceans?! Also, after Lauren's boyfriend drove down Mount Washington with the emergency brake on, Lauren is wondering if she needs new brakes, and a new boyfriend. And, on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Marc rescued his Peugeot from his mechanic, and whether he wishes he hadn't. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2002: Falls Village, We Have a Problem ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Nina's mechanic ripped off her Altima's heat shield and said she can live without it. But Nina's seen enough Star Trek episodes to worry she might burn up on re-entry without it. Elsewhere, Steve expected to encounter snow during his winter cross-country drive, but he wasn't prepared for flurries inside his Pathfinder. Also, Jean's brakes started screeching after she got new pads, apparently with the "banshee" option; John's daughters' know-it-all boyfriends have convinced them they need to let their cars warm up for a loooong time on cold mornings; and Ray discovers new automotive healing powers. All this and more, this week on the Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2003: Optimal Rust ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on the Best of Car Talk, Steve's wife gave him a homework assignment--write a paper explaining why he should keep the '77 MG he bought a year ago, but has left sitting in the garage. But does Steve love it enough to defend it? Elsewhere, Helen's tires are growing mold. Tom and Ray say it's because Helen drives the car infrequently, to which Helen replies, "Au contraire Piston Pusses!" Also, Linda's fiance insists on washing his car before a long trip, to improve its gas mileage; Heather thinks an opera singer is hanging out under her Civic; and, you'll be shocked, shocked to learn that John's "cheap and reliable" Ferrari is proving to be neither. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2001: That's Worth Needlepoint! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Kim and her husband each made questionable car purchases. He got an abandoned Lexus, while she went for an ancient VW Campervan. Who gets bragging rights for being more wacko? Meanwhile, another marital dispute is brewing in Alaska, where Samantha and her husband can't agree on the best place to hang dry cleaning. Can Tom and Ray referee his one, without knowing exactly what dry cleaning is? Back on the wacko front, Stephan's solution to his Golf's rough running may earn him the "Big W" on his repair slip. And on Stump the Chumps, we find out if John's wife made it from Buffalo to San Diego in her Cabriolet, in less than six months. All this, plus Math with Dummies, and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2004: Are You Ready For Summer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, let's escape winter for a few minutes with a ride in the '75 Pontiac convertible Red, just bought off someone's front lawn. Hey, are those flames shooting up from the carpet? Elsewhere, a potential fire is just one reason Gladys is too scared to use the remote starter she got for Christmas. Also, Trent thinks his van suffered a stroke, taking out the power window, blinker and tail lights; Josie inherited a VW Westfalia with the annoying habit of starting itself and and driving off; and Lucia put a 150-pound log in her Corolla's trunk to prevent fish-tailing in the snow, but is worried it might be doing damage elsewhere. All this, plus the real origins of 4-Wheel Drive, and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2005: Roadhog Day ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Tom, Ray, and our callers anxiously await the annual sign from Tommy's Dodge Dart that winter may end early. Up in Maine, Paula's Subaru won't start in really cold weather unless she lies a heated blanket on the engine for 10 minutes. She's getting tired of waiting, and having her neighbors think she's nuts. Meanwhile, out on Martha's Vineyard, Betsy's Toyota Echo is sliding around in the snow, making it difficult to get to team sword dancing practice. Also, Deanie's husband and father are arguing over the best time to check the dipstick; and Peter's wife always said, "A car is just a car", until she drove his new Jaguar, and decided it was a little different from her Accord. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2006: Brotherhood of Cheapeskatism ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on the Best of Car Talk, meet Tommy's new best friend, Paul. After the screws holding Paul's gas pedal fell through the rusted floor of his '78 Datsun, Paul eschewed a body shop and found a cheap fix at his local cobbler. Now he needs a podiatrist to help with the limp his brilliant solution gave him. Elsewhere, neat freak Doug thinks his wife is a slob when it comes to cars, so he's considering buying a stick shift so she can't drive it. Also, Kathy's sister's boss suggested putting mothballs in her VW Bus's gas tank to improve mileage; Donna's husband was told to leave his car running an extra 15 minutes in really cold weather to charge the battery, but can't remember to shut it off; and on Stump the Chumps, did Dr. Paul find a new car and a...

Car Talk Podcast #2007: The Pavlovian Dope Slap ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Cathy thinks she may have found Mr. Right, but he may not live to see their wedding day if he kills her Sentra's clutch. Can a rigorous training program save Cathy's car, and the relationship? Elsewhere, Nicki gets a primer in how to shop for a used truck, including wardrobe tips. Also, Kate needs to slow down her neighbor who's zooming around their small island in his Malibu; Arleigh's car is afflicted by the "Elvis Idle"; and after Melissa cranked the heater to dry some wet clothes on her dashboard, she was shocked to discover her blower motor had died. Is there any chance this was just a coincidence? Find out, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2009: Saddle Up ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Mara's husband says he'd rather drive a horse and buggy than a minivan. But, with one kid on hand, and twins on the way, are there any options other than an Odyssey or spurs? In another auto-marital dispute, Pat and her husband disagree over whether driving their daughters 3/10 of a mile to school in cold weather is killing their car. Also, after meditating for three months, Conrad found his Civic in an immovable state, thanks to a frozen parking brake; Peter wants to rid his garage of bats, but may wind up on the ASPCA's Most Wanted list; and, trying to solve one of Ray's Puzzlers leads to a police visit. All this and more, this week on the Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2008: Moses Blew Beets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Will's beloved dog Moses got carsick and puked on the dashboard of Will's now not-so-beloved Ford Ranger. Will's mechanic wants a couple hundred bucks to remove the dashboard and clean out the vents. Is there a cheaper, if messier, solution? Elsewhere, Jeffrey and his girlfriend disagree over how often to wash the road salt off their cars in the winter--their dispute might have something to do with the fact that Jeffrey drives a junky Tercel while his girlfriend has a shiny Subaru Legacy. Also on the relationship front, Beth's boyfriend says her fender bender on an icy road is the reason why only one rear wheel is spinning on his Mustang. His accusation may be the reason he may soon be Beth's ex-boyfriend. And, why does Kenneth's car sound like a cow mooing when it slows down?

Car Talk Podcast #2010: Freedom From Perfection ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Deb is extending 3-minute errands into 20-minute excursions, because her headlights won't turn off until the car warms up. Is her best fix a new switch, or loose wires and liberation? Elsewhere, the good news for Allison is that there are still sparks between her and her husband. The bad news is, we mean that literally. Also, the Click and Clack Forensics team tries to figure out why Sarah's Volvo burst into flames on her way home from its 60,000-mile service; Paul wants to take a Sawzall to his Subaru and transform it into a convertible; and, on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Bill cut the cable that was keeping his Tahoe from sinking to the bottom of a lake. All this and more, this week on the Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2011: Attack of the Black Widows ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Heather recovered her stolen Civic, but found a family of black widow spiders had taken up residence. She killed the mother with a shovel, but how can she evict the rest of the clan? Elsewhere, Howard ran out of brake fluid during a long drive and is wondering if he could have used his bottle of tequila to fill in; Timothy is wondering if it's time to cut his losses on the Maserati that has him on a first-name basis with AAA; and could Tanya's loss of reverse lead to the Superball bumper? All this, plus the unfortunate tale of Tommy meeting Princess the pooch, the most polite hate message in the history of email, and lots more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2130: Til Death Do Us Park ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Katherine's new job got off to a bumpy start (literally!), when she rear-ended her boss' shiny new car on her first day. Katherine has been eyeing a new car herself, but should she wait for her first performance review? Meanwhile, Elisa's parents say they'll buy her a new car if she marries her live-in boyfirend. Should she accept, or will she be opening the door to future car-motivated life events? Also, Spencer couldn't resist the urge to touch his lugnuts, and found them to hot handle; Brett gets a shock every time he gets out of his Camry; and what does your Oreo cookie strategy say about your pesonality? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2012: Automotive Darwinism ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, after driving in Massachusetts for the first time, Addie is baffled by the concept of the rotary. Happily, Tom and Ray can explain its true purpose. Elsewhere, is "Backseat Driver Syndrome" incurable? Lani got used to yelling at her husband when he was a stinko driver, but now that he's doing better behind the wheel, she's still nagging from the passenger seat. Also, Christine is wondering if she needs to give up knitting in the passenger seat, lest a deploying airbag turn her needles into projectiles; Jem needs to clean a stuck valve, but the gunk may be the only thing holding his engine together; and even after three alignments, Russ still thinks his car may be headed for a ditch. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2013: The Sacrificial Battery ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, did the battery in Keith's electric winch give up its life to lift a tree trunk? If so, how can Keith honor its memory? Elsewhere, Anne's family is planning a cross-country road trip. Is their Mercury Villager up to the task, or likely to wind up being pushed off the top of Pikes Peak when the engine fails? Also, Arlene wants her recently retired husband to learn how to work on their six cars. He says cars are too complicated, but is he just blowing smoke? And, Cindy's family loves the nurse they hired to take care of Cindy's Mom, but she has a nasty habit of backing into garden gnomes (and other objects) whenever she drives. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2014: A Nice Juicy Pizza ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, unearthed letters from summer camp prove that the child really is the father to the man, at least when it comes to our Technical, Spiritual and Menu Advisor, John Bugsy Lawlor. Elsewhere, Lee liberated herself from her mechanic by changing her own oil, but also got liberated from her cash when she poured the oil into her transmission; Author Cameron needs a lesson in how to burn rubber; and, Jane and her husband want to buy a stretch limo to cruise around town in, because, well, why not? Also, on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Eddie and Edie Electron made their way home in Michelle's Saturn. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2016: The Stick Fix ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Martin drove off a ledge and dislodged his muffler. He found a stick to keep it in place. Will this brilliant solution set New Hampshire and the entire Northeast on fire? Elsewhere, Tom and Ray administer the Leadfoot Personality Test to try to figure out whether Martha is responsible for her Passat's rough shifting, or if she can blame a failing transmission. Also, Dick's car is blowing so much smoke he's on Pennsylvania's Most Wanted Polluters list; and, Elizabeth is wondering if she should let a sleeping nail lie--in her tire. And, can Tom and Ray teach Beth how to parallel park when she can't see what's behind her? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2016: The Stick Fix ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Martin drove off a ledge and dislodged his muffler. He found a stick to keep it in place. Will this brilliant solution set New Hampshire and the entire Northeast on fire? Elsewhere, Tom and Ray administer the Leadfoot Personality Test to try to figure out whether Martha is responsible for her Passat's rough shifting, or if she can blame a failing transmission. Also, Dick's car is blowing so much smoke he's on Pennsylvania's Most Wanted Polluters list; and, Elizabeth is wondering if she should let a sleeping nail lie--in her tire. And, can Tom and Ray teach Beth how to parallel park when she can't see what's behind her? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2017: It Was a Dark and Stormy Night ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, a salute to Edwards Bulwer-Lytton, the writer who set the bar for bad opening sentences with, "It was a dark stormy night." Can any current authors hope to match him? Elsewhere, Liz wants to use her Maxima to remove some unwanted shrubs from her yard, but is worried her bumper will wind up as part of the landscape. Elsewhere, Nancy's 16-year old son wants a muscle car. Will she be abdicating all parental responsibility if she buys him one, and is there a good alternative that's big, ugly, and cool? Also, Pam wants to ease her husband's guilt over denting her door; Charles succumbed to Male Answer Syndrome trying to diagnose his wife's noisy Voyager; and, is Kirk's steering problem a result of Post-Alignment Euphoria, or Post-...

Car Talk Podcast #2018: Your Wife or a Cigar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Tom and Ray demonstrate their unmatched ability to plant all four feet firmly in their mouths and endanger their marriages— all while diagnosing a simple vacuum leak. Later, however, they just might make amends by helping to save Beth's marriage, with a ruling on whether her Civic's clutch should be more afraid of Beth or her husband. Elsewhere, Susan is a philosophy professor by day, and a pig rescuer by night. Is there one vehicle that can handle both lifestyles, or does she need a dedicated Pigmobile? Also, Jackie's squealing brakes are wreaking havoc for her pet chihuahuas; and Daniel got a very unpleasant surprise when his mechanic removed his distributor cap—think Vincent Price in "The Fly." All this and more, this week on The Best of Ca...

Car Talk Podcast #2019: Click & Clack & Mom ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week, Car Talk celebrates Mother's Day with a special appearance from Tom and Ray's long-suffering mom, Elizabeth. She'll spill the beans on what life was like in the Magliozzi household, and do her best to evade the question of which of her kids she liked best. She's also ready to give out advice to new moms ("You've got a long way to go, sweetheart!"); get to the real reason one caller really wants to teach his mom to drive ("Is she going to leave you a lot of money?"); and, offer a final thought on Motherhood that will have Tommy blowing coffee out his nose. Lizzy may even be able to top her sons in figuring out why Sandy's Mitsubishi is groaning, and how Linda can stop the air leaks that are turning her Accord into a wind tunnel. Join us for...

Car Talk Podcast #2020: The Waccabuc Flash ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, paging Agents Mulder and Scully! Sally drove under a wire, heard a loud noise and saw a flash of light in her console. Is Waccabuc, New York the new Area 51? Elsewhere, Wyatt holds Tom and Ray responsible for the worst eight months of his life, and not because they gave him bogus car advice! It's a tale of woe and intrigue that ends with an almost cross-country escape in a VW Microbus. Also, Cynthia's kids want her to dump her beloved Subaru. Should she go along, if they give her a new BMW? And, Dorothea's dealer changed her belts, and now her car is shrieking. Does she need a big lawyer, or a big stick? All this, plus Tom and Ray ponder whether members of the Witness Protection Program get to hang out with each other, and lots more, this week on The Best...

Car Talk Podcast #2021: Odometer Dreans ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Bill's broken odometer fixed itself, right after Bill dreamed it was working. Will Tom and Ray have a mechanical explanation, a metaphysical explanation, or (most likely) a boooooogus explanation? Elsewhere, Toby wants her husband to get rid of her old BMW, but he's proving as immovable as the car; Sally is getting half her husband's mileage, and hopes it's not because she's buying cheap gas from Rotten Robbie; and Derek's dog would really appreciate it if Derek could get his Impreza to stop lunging forward. All this, plus a round of Stump the Chumps, and lots more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2022: Ask the Ethicist ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Mary wants to sell her Accord, but it has a leaky water pump. Does she get the work done, knock the price down, or none of the above? Can Tom and Ray put their inner mechanic aside, and guide her to a clear conscience, or do they need an outside consult? Elsewhere, Tina just learned a scary and stinky lesson about why you shouldn't drive drive down a mountain in neutral; Jerry is looking for an alternative to the "stick and ballet pose" method he's using to get his convertible top to work; and we revisit the Waccabuc Incident: Was Sally's vision of a flashing light an atmospheric abnormality, or a call to the mothership? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2023: Proverbial Declarification ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, a quiz for the Master of Puzzler Obfuscation. Can Ray un-declarify some well-known proverbs? Elsewhere, Caroline's poor clutch technique may be destroying her relationships; Nancy boyfriend's MR2 is burning oil, which may say more about his personality than the car; and John's pickup sounds like Buddy Rich is playing drums under the hood. Also, is something really wrong with Dana's starter motor or have her parents taken action to get her to stop lounging on their couch? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2025: A Sympathetic Ear ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Ryan took his car in for an oil change and got talked into an engine shampoo. Will Tom and Ray reassure him that he's not a complete idiot? At least he didn't get a cream rinse. Elsewhere, Bill parked his rental car on a beach, and discovered the next morning that the tide had rolled in—to the car. He's bailed the water, but hasn't told the rental company. Also, Ray channels Frank Costanza to try to diagnose Kevin's clicking noise; Jean is suffering a run of flat tires in her driveway; and, is a lucky doughnut enough to keep Tamatha's brakes from burning up for a third time? All this and more this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2024: Faster Than the Speed of Light ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, physics research suggests that Tom may in fact be Superman. You've never seen them photographed together, have you? Elsewhere, Grant's marriage counselor suggested he and his wife turn to Tom and Ray to help settle their auto-marital dispute over keeping the radio on while the car is off. Will our hosts bring peace, or will Grant's next appearance be on Divorce Court? Also, Mark decided to replace his working transmission, and has now gone through six failed rebuilds in 6 months; Mabel's Subaru is leaking oil from every orifice; Tulis's mechanic may be relying too much on prisms and crystals trying to fix her Civic's brakes; and is Jessica's car shocking her because of her clothes, her hair, or its ugly upholstery? All this and ...

Car Talk Podcast #2024: Faster Than the Speed of Light ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, physics research suggests that Tom may in fact be Superman. You've never seen them photographed together, have you? Elsewhere, Grant's marriage counselor suggested he and his wife turn to Tom and Ray to help settle their auto-marital dispute over keeping the radio on while the car is off. Will our hosts bring peace, or will Grant's next appearance be on Divorce Court? Also, Mark decided to replace his working transmission, and has now gone through six failed rebuilds in 6 months; Mabel's Subaru is leaking oil from every orifice; Tulis's mechanic may be relying too much on prisms and crystals trying to fix her Civic's brakes; and is Jessica's car shocking her because of her clothes, her hair, or its ugly upholstery? All this and ...

Car Talk Podcast #2027: The Dregs Theory ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Donna's husband warned her not to let her new Camry's gas tank fall below 1/4 full, because the dregs might damage a crucial part. Does the fact that this part no longer exists automatically throw this advice into the Land of the Booooooogus? Elsewhere, John can only keep his car from stalling by opening the hood and touching the engine. Does this fix have anything to do with the fact that John's a Catholic priest? Also, Tom is looking for a "girlfriend car," but can't decide if his wife should be able to drive it; Michael will inherit his father-in-law's Town Car if he can figure out it's odd steering and stalling problem; and way up north in Alaska, Linda needs to retro-fit her ATV so her sled dogs will get their off-season workouts....

Car Talk Podcast #2129: We Don't Recommend the Hot Wax ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, we've all been there. You're in the midst of a long drive when nature calls but doesn't provide a venue for you to answer that call. If the only urgent haircut option is a fast-food restaurant, are you obligated to buy something if you use the facility? Elsewhere, Heather took her Volvo to Helmut The Mechanic because her glove compartment was stuck. Three weeks and $3000 later, Heather now has a new fuel system and a Volvo that stalls. Did Helmut get a little overly ambitious? Also, Susan needs to store a vintage Mini; Dennis is wondering if the bungee cord holding his Corolla in gear can hang on for another 200,000 miles; and Karen is tired of old ladies passing her on hills while she's towing her horse trailer. All this and more, thi...

Car Talk Podcast #2028: Sorry, Dad ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, did Christy destroy her dad's car 15 years ago by putting black tape over a flashing temperature light— and then continuing to drive? And is Dad ready to forgive and forget? It's one of our all-time favorite auto-familial disputes. Elsewhere, Andy got talked into replacing his front brakes to help stop a noise coming from the rear; Nancy's husband says she's risking death by keeping her air conditioning on recirculate; and should Mickey be concerned that she's on her fourth consecutive boyfriend who drives an '82 Honda? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2030: Additive Placebo Syndrome ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Bob's friend swears his Passat is getting an extra mile per gallon since he disabled the daytime running lights. Is this possible, or is he working overtime to believe it's happening? Elsewhere, Harmony stands accused of smashing her sister's car by taking her foot off the brake, but swears her foot never left the pedal; Bruce's son's Town Car needs a paint job but it will cost more than the car is worth; and Gina's husband is taking the fun out of his mid-life crisis convertible by being a little too careful—he's cleaning bugs off the windshield, while he's driving. Is Gina being too much of a nag trying to get him to stop, or are those dope slaps she's administering well earned? All this, plus the definitive explanation of ...

Car Talk Podcast #2031: Tickling the Electrons ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Dennis' friend told him the best way to charge a low car battery is by turning on all the accessories. Does this earn immediate entry into the Wacko Theory Hall of Fame? Elsewhere, Julieta's boyfriend is blaming her driveway for his Camry's starting problem, which can only be cured by the correct curse words; Molly would like a little less cowbell in her Altima; and Gail explodes the myth that women don't play practical jokes. Also, how did a rental car's exhaust suck in Mike's daughter's shirt? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2029: A Clean Death ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Greg was surprised when his truck started running poorly, until he learned that his four-year-old son had washed the inside of the gas tank with soap. Should Greg stick his kid with the repair bill? Elsewhere, Judy can't decide if her son-in-law is brilliant or wacko for raising the hood of his Volvo after every drive; Gil's Camry may be leaving a trail of clutch fluid from Houston to Phoenix; Debra's knocking is nothing compared to the sound of two hosts banging their heads together trying to figure out what's causing it; and, what does Gavin's car have in common with King Tut's tomb? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2033: A Big, Beautiful, Piece of Junk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, should Jason dump his beloved Camaro? It needs a new engine and completed its mission to help him find a girlfriend. Elsewhere, Shelly has the happiest dog in the world as her Explorer is spewing dog food from the vents; Oscar needs to decide whether to fix his wife's brakes or buy more life insurance for her; and should Barbara attempt her 6-month road trip in a VW Camper Van if she expects it to last more than 6 days? Also, from the land of Wacko theories, Teresa's husband thinks he has a better to chance to survive a collision if he's not wearing a seat belt; and our on-call chemist Jim Davis weighs in on Ray's hungry water theory. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2032: The Hungry Water Theory ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, distilled water may be too hungry for John to use it in his radiator. Will Ray's explanation of the hungry water theory help clarify things, or as usual, only further obfuscate matters? Elsewhere, Diana's van could be a new form of germ warfare; Rhadd's wild idling leaves him, Tom, and Ray all wishing our hosts were smarter; and, on Stump the Chumps we find out if Liz found her gas leak, and the perfect jumpsuit. Also, Todd's noisy truck gives Tom a chance to re-live his Army days with the long-suffering Sgt. McNeeley. Everybody will go on pass this weekend except Private Maaagleeeozi! All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2034: Con the Mechanic ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Nancy doesn't fully trust her mechanic so she's throwing around car jargon to bluff him into thinking she knows more than she does. But, her vocabulary has run dry. Will the official Click and Clack Thesaurus come to her rescue? Elsewhere, Greg's truck's wiring has become lunch for critters and the only way to save it may require giving up his beloved garage wood shop. Also, Kara's white-water rafting company may have to do the unthinkable and switch to automatic transmissions for their trucks; and on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Tom and Ray knocked their heads together well enough to diagnose Debra's truck's knocking sound. All this and more this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2035: Everybody Wins ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Julia's worried that her Dad's attempt to replace the engine in Mom's Suburban might stress their marriage. Tom and Ray think it may make their bond stronger than ever, even if the car is destroyed. Elsewhere, Tim's Dodge Dart rolled into a lake and went for a full dive. The car has been retrieved, but will it ever run again and not smell like fish? Also, Karen's physicist husband has a bogus explanation for why her car is shaking; Kelley wants to fix her Civic's brakes herself; and, Stu's girlfriend Carla accidentally added engine oil to his beloved ZX's power steering. So why are Tom and Ray asking Carla if she wants to dump Stu. All this, plus a round of Stump the Chumps, and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2036: Magliozzi's Ignoramus Principle ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Move over, Heisenberg! This week on the Best of Car Talk, one listener's new theory on Tom and Ray's ability to alter reality. Elsewhere, Anthony thinks his cheapo tires are making noise. His solution? Swap them with his wife's tires. Will Tom and Ray have a suggestion that won't land Anthony in divorce court? Also, Crash's Mazda is making him live up to his nickname by wandering all over the road; Kimberly is tired of having to whack her Subaru's starter; Dora has become a reluctant member of the Alternator of the week club; and does a cleaner car lead to a bigger mechanic's bill? All this, plus some words to live by and lots more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2037: Latent Junkman Syndrome ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Joe's brother-in-law collects heaps. Why is this Joe's problem? The cars wind up in his backyard. And to make things even more complicated, Joe's brother-in-law owns the house. Can Tom and Ray untangle this family mess? Elsewhere, Sherry thinks her temperature gauge is going through menopause; Roseanna borrowed her friend's Subaru for the summer and fears she may be responsible for its new noise; and Klaus may need to learn how to drive his car with the engine off. All this, plus some fun things to say on elevators, and lots more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2038: Bernsteining the Clutch ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Leonard Bernstein is immortalized in automotive lore for a shifting technique he handed down to his son. Elsewhere, Adla got a rude welcome to Boston when someone stole the battery from her Civic; Jennifer made an ill-advised bet on steering wheels with her know-it-all 18-year-old nephew; Esther's low coolant light and buzzer might be trying to send her a subtle signal about the state of her cooling system; and is John's Thunderbird suffering from Radio Frequency Interference or Dying Transmission Syndrome? All this and lots more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2040: Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Andy's car overheated in the desert. With no water on hand, his girlfriend convinced him to use the only liquid available. We're bordering on TMI here, so we'll just say that Andy is now worried about said liquid's acid causing corrosion. Elsewhere, Judy and her Volvo just moved from Los Angeles to Chicago. What does she need to do to winterize her car, and herself? Also, Christian's clutch problems are threatening his career in pizza delivery; Magica's husband dropped a razor blade in the airbag compartment and thinks it's not a big deal; and should Louella risk her safety and sanity by teaching her teenage daughters how to drive stick shift? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2039: Fell Off Truck ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Matt's bad day got a little worse when his Volvo fell off the tow truck that was hauling it from an accident. Will Tom and Ray's vast experience dropping cars help Matt figure out if his is still safe to drive? Elsewhere, should Jackie go braless when washing her car? We're talking about the car's bra here, not Jackie's. Also, Peter thinks he has a theremin player living in his car; Barb's smart-aleck son may actually be smarter than she thinks; and on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Victoria bought cars for her three sons and opted for a career in flower arranging over business school. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2041: Exorcist or Arsonist ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Robin and our hosts have different approaches for ger VW's devilish steering problem. Elsewhere, Sue's boyfriend is afraid to get in the car with her due to her long history of accidents, near misses, and traffic violations. Sue insists she's a safe driver, so a full-scale Car Talk intervention may be necessary. Also, Joe may need to choose between a bungee cord and a 2x4 if he doesn't want to spring for a new transmission; and can Randy just keep adding a quart of oil to her Civic and live her life? Depends on whether her life involves driving the car! All this, plus more than you ever wanted to know about the hazards of adding urine to a radiator. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2042: Don't Start ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Rich inherited a Buick that's been napping for four years. Can he start it right up without destroying it,or being enveloped in smoke? Elsewhere, Patrice's VW bus won't start, John Mark's backseat passengers are getting their feet soaked when he makes a turn, and Alana's gas tank is spitting fuel back out after she fills it. Also, is the threat of fire enough to convince Jim that replacing his tailpipe might count as a "necessary repair"? And, will a strategically placed blanket and light bulb really reduce Judy's engine wear by 95%? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2043: Clickonomics ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on Car Talk, how many thousands of dollars can one hour of lousy car advice pump into an ailing economy? Well, when that hour starts with a Saab owner who's going to be transmission shopping, we may be able to match the Gross Domestic Product of Guinea-Bissau. Or better. Things take a turn for the bearish, though, when Jacob scores a free do-over on his timing belt replacement-- and when Lee's Lincoln turns out to need a new "Whoop Tube." (How do you figure costs of replacing an imaginary part?) Happily, Laura brings us back on track. She loves her Camry so much, she can't wait to dump it and get something more suited to her growing dog. Also, someone may be messing around with mileage markers in Montana; and, on Stump the Chumps, did Tom and Ray help save Mark's socks fr...

Car Talk Podcast #2045: The Bionic Bug ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Rita's VW won't start after being flooded during a hurricane. Does it have a future on the road or just as a saltwater aquarium? Elsewhere, Bob discovered an unusual feature in his BMW as a result of his father-in-law being locked in the car for a half-hour; Dan's Acura may have oil problems, if his neighbor's hearing is right; and Chuck thinks his wife's parking brake technique is too quiet. Also, college sudent Kim wants help with a take-home Physics exam. Man, did she call the wrong number! All this, the Great Cathy/Kathy Stump the Chumps Challenge, and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2044: You Sap ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Yousef's quickie oil change place recommended that he use special high mileage/high price oil in his Saturn. Yousef swears the car is performing better, but his fiancee is convinced that Yousef got suckered. Will Tom and Ray be any more sympathetic, or will they try to sell Yousef the Brooklyn Bridge? Elsewhere, Tim found something resembling mayonnaise on his Fury's dipstick. Should he be worried, or should he just make a tuna salad sandwich with it? Also, Tonia likes her next door neighbor but is less fond of the noxious chemicals he uses on his car; Larry wants to convince his wife it's okay to buy a used car from a rental company but a tale from Ray's past may change his mind; and the great Cathy/Kathy challenge. All this and more this week on The Best of Ca...

Car Talk Podcast #2046: The Exercise Diaries ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week, The Best of Car Talk kicks off with the tale of one man's descent to Dante's supplemental Circle of Hell, the local health club, where he is at the merciless hands of his personal trainer, Tanya. Then we're off to Virginia, where Shelia's Maxima smells like someone burned her dry cleaning. Elsewhere, Ethan's preparing to sell his truck, which was struck by lightning. Should he advertise it as "pre-disastered" or keep quiet? Also, from the don't-try-this-at- home department, Marty's dad got their vintage car started by sucking gas through the exhaust with a shop vac, and he still has his eyebrows! All this and lots more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2047: The Shrink Wrapped Land Rover ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Mike and his sons are about to embark on a two-year around the world sailing voyage, but the vintage Land Rover Mike's been restoring won't be much use at sea. Should he sell it or will late-night TV provide the perfect storage solution? Elsewhere, Lisa's wondering how much restitution she's entitled to for allowing her husband to buy a used Corvette; Charlotte's daughter spent $300 on a truck and may have overpaid; and Arnie's Accord's harmonic balancers won't stay balanced. Also, Tom and Ray may need to consult Junk & Wagnalls' encyclopedia to diagnose Sandy's hum. All this and more, this week on the Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2048: The Black Hole of Auto Metaphysics ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on the Best of Car Talk, one listener postulates that a non-essential repair on an old car creates a parallel universe where everything else starts to break. Sorry, but for proof, you may have to tune to the Sci-Fi Channel. Elsewhere in the land of semi-wacko theories, Mark was told he could use rice to clean a carburetor, and Joyce's boyfriend insists on leaving his Taurus' trunk open overnight to keep it dry. Also, can Stephanie blame her mom for killing her Subaru's clutch, and is Mike's snowblower really not starting because it's too cold? And, John's mechanic ran into the age-old dilemma: Is it better to admit stupidity or gaslight the customer? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2128: Geek Camp ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on the Best of Car Talk, got a pencil neck and an empty summer calendar? Tom and Ray are here for you, with the first (and probably last) Geek Week Summer Camp. Elsewhere, Shelly thinks she's killing a small animal when she turns her Subaru's steering wheel, because of the noise it makes. Might it actually be one of the gerbils powering its engine? Also, Steve's power steering needs a wake-up call for five minutes into his morning drive; Jackie's boyfriend's starting technique may not be hurting her truck, but is doing a number on her back; and on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Roy really had a stuck brake caliper or if Tommy is going to be dining on his hat. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2049: The Brake Stomper ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Diana has a new boyfriend, and a Stanza that's begun chewing up brake pads at an alarming rate. What are the chances these two facts are not a coincidence? Oh, maybe 100%? Elsewhere, Bob is worried his car may have a permanent case of athlete's foot (or worse) after a sock got sucked into the engine; Patty may need to milk her Accord to get it to stop mooing; and, Elizabeth came home from Thanksgiving to discover her Volvo's windows permanently fogged. And Mike may re-think his desire for a "heavy duty" clutch after he hears Tom and Ray's tale of the customer known as Mr. Heavy Duty and his enlarged left foot. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2050: Stop the Snort ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on the Best of Car Talk, can Ray grant one listener's Christmas wish by snorting less? And why can't Bob stop laughing about his Geo's starting problem? Elsewhere, Alan's Lincoln is starting to sound eerily like his mother; Karen's Caravan's dashboard is telling her she's always going 120 miles per hour on an empty gas tank; Steph wants to tempt the Blowout Gods by removing his Miata's spare tire so he'll have more trunk space; and Ariel is thinking of buying her first car and is wondering what level of protection she needs to bring to the dealer. Will a Rottweiler do or a big guy named Bruno? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2052: Untowed and Unbowed ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Steve moved to Chicago for a job and a girlfriend. He lost both, but he's kept his sense of humor, and is just kinda confused about why his Acura was the only car not towed from a party. Elsewhere, we thought nobody could be more devoted to an old heap than Tommy, until we met Lita who has written a poem about her Monte Carlo—we're just relieved she didn't try to rhyme anything with "rust bucket." Also, the holiday season brings good cheer and the annual squeak to Betsy's Town and Country; Kate's temporary fix for her frozen door locks is hilarious, and incredibly dangerous; and, did the hottest man in show business set Melinda's radio on fire? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2052: Untowed and Unbowed ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Steve moved to Chicago for a job and a girlfriend. He lost both, but he's kept his sense of humor, and is just kinda confused about why his Acura was the only car not towed from a party. Elsewhere, we thought nobody could be more devoted to an old heap than Tommy, until we met Lita who has written a poem about her Monte Carlo—we're just relieved she didn't try to rhyme anything with "rust bucket." Also, the holiday season brings good cheer and the annual squeak to Betsy's Town and Country; Kate's temporary fix for her frozen door locks is hilarious, and incredibly dangerous; and, did the hottest man in show business set Melinda's radio on fire? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2101: The Mustang Compost Bin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Mary loaded her Mustang's trunk with compost two months ago. Her husband says it's rotting the floor, but Mary wants to keep the compost all winter for ballast. One added wrinkle: Mary got the Mustang because her husband works for Ford—at least, for the time being. Elsewhere, Carla would love to escape from Alaska for a bit, but the fact that her truck will only drive backwards is making it difficult. Also, can Kathy figure out her Stratus's burnt popcorn smell without asphyxiating her sons? And is Justin's engine making noise, or is he just hearing people laughing a him for driving an old Beetle? All this, plus a plea for more civil Hate Mail, this week on the Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2103: Acute Tirophobia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Peterson is afraid to put air in his tires. Is he doomed to depending on the kindness of strangers with pumps, or can Tom and Ray help cure him—or at least outfit him properly in case there is an explosion? Elsewhere, towing may be Dave's best option for transporting his beloved LeMans cross-country, because the car could fall off somewhere in Nebraska; Hanz can't decide if his wife's behavior at stoplights is utterly brilliant or utterly wacko; and Elizabeth may be asking too much from her Volvo. Is shutting down when she turns on the wipers really such a big deal? All this, plus a world record for parking in a small space and lots more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2102: The Roadmonster That Ate Cambridge ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, is Phil's Buick Roadmaster making noise because of a steering problem or because he needs to make 20-point turns to navigate the narrow streets of Our Fair City? Elsewhere, Fred doesn't know whether he should listen to his mechanic or his FSTB (Future Son-in-Law To Be) on how to start the Alfa that's been sitting in his garage for a year. Will siding with the mechanic doom Fred's daughter's marriage? Also, Steve's driver's window glare screen is now a stuck-in-the-door glare screen; Alison's Golf may be suffering from a "cracked breather" and "achin' plugs"; and is Judy's Escort sending smoke signals that it won't make it to the moon? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2104: Oh, Shut Up ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, might three simple words be Cathy's best response to her dealer's accusation that she was lax in changing her Camry's oil? Elsewhere, Martin's love for his Cadillac has him concerned that he might actually be older than his Dad; Tony is sleeping on the sofa after his failed attempt to fix his wife's starting problem; and Sarah can only enter her car through the trunk, since the doors are frozen shut. Also, does the ECS light in Ilsa's Subaru mean "Expect Catastrophe Soon"? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2105: They're All Jerks ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Joyce's mild-mannered husband teaches meditation by day, but when he gets behind the wheel, he turns into a cross between Mario Andretti and Tony Soprano. Is it the car, the traffic, or does Joyce's husband have a dark side? Elsewhere, Andrew is concerned about his washer fluid lacking testosterone; Catherine has lived five years with a buzzing oil pressure indicator; and Aaron's Impala now takes off like it's dragging a ton of bricks. Also, Jim is worried he may be a Fire Starter, after his battery and muffle both exploded. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2106: Book This, Dad ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on the Best of Car Talk, how do you handle a slightly anal retentive dad who insists on keeping verrrry thorough car records? If you're Rebecca, you ignore Dad's beloved gas mileage book, tell Dad what you really think, and then call on Tom and Ray to try to get Dad to re-open his wallet. Elsewhere, should Carl try quieting his Rolls Royce by bending the door frame, or splurge for official Rolls duct tape? Also, Jane fears her mechanic may have purged her of $87 with a bogus repair; Ben's girlfriend thinks he needs to factor wind chill into warming up his Rabbit; and Tom and Ray ponder how one sign with two simple words could lead to a utopian society. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2107: My Tire Passed Me ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You've no doubt heard Tom and Ray warn callers about the danger of wheels falling off their cars. Well, this week on The Best of Car Talk, Mike's wheel fell off—twice! Happily, he lived to tell the tale. Can Tom and Ray help prevent Strike Three? Elsewhere, Carl's daughter drove from Boston to Colorado, and swears her truck added gas along the way; Father John has decided to splurge on a Miata, and doesn't know if he'll get the best deal with his clerical collar on or off; and on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Alison's starting problem was really caused by a cracked breather, or if her mechanic had a cracked skull. Also, could listening to Car Talk really be good for your health? (Aside from the migraines and waves of nausea). All this and more this week on The Best of Car Tal...

Car Talk Podcast #2108: Book This, Rebecca ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Remember Rebecca from a few weeks ago, whose anal retentive dad insisted she keep detailed records of her gas mileage in his book? This week, Dad has his say. Topher explains the book's origins in a Datsun 510, and what it will take for Rebecca to free herself from book duty. Elsewhere, Scott may have to decide whether he wants to be right or be happy, as he and his wife disagree on how to use their truck's 4-wheel drive; Art's wife drove home from an oil change missing one small ingredient—the oil; and Judy's getting good at holding up her car's hatchback with her head, but would like to get it to stay up on its own. And, what happens when a computer traffic model tries to understand Boston drivers? All this and lots more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2109: The Roof Snow Theory ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We kick off with a proposal that could revolutionize snow measurement, if it wasn't completely bogus. Later, the bogosity continues as Tom and Ray try to explain why Anne's dashboard gauges all stopped working after she filled up her gas tank at a Shell station—twice! Also, Kay's 38 year old daughter left mom's Explorer running all night, and Kay's wondering if she needs to blow out the car's engine or the cobwebs in her daughter's brain; 14-year old Matthew's struggles to wash his parents' car could be a valuable life lesson in how to get out of doing chores forever; and will Rush ever be able to get the smell of rancid butter out of his Land Rover? All this and more, this week on the Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2110: The Evil Twin ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on the Best of Car Talk, Stella bought matching Monteros for her kids but dumped one because it spent more time in the shop than on the road. Should she be worried about the second Montero? Who better to weigh the chances there's one good brother and one evil brother than Tom and Ray? Elsewhere, Heather has taken to calling her Jeep "Clunking Matilda"; Abe has an idea to navigate traffic in Our Fair City that may get him to work faster (but with a fat lip); and can Anne risk one more road trip in her overheating Subaru before it blows up? All this, plus a round of Stump the Chumps and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2127: Perspicacity and the Sundance Kid ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, after years of ranting and raving about bad drivers, Tommy makes a shocking confession. What previously unthinkable driving sin did he commit, and why? Meanwhile, Tommy's erstwhile soulmate Rob drives like a tortoise in a land of rabbits and is looking for a visual cue to keep his fellow motorists' blood pressure down. Elsewhere, Sherry loves her new Town Car but can't fit a bike rack on it. Alas, her husband isn't wild about Sherry's proposed solution—a used stretch limo. Also, Joanne is trying to teach two teenagers to drive a stick shift without needing family counseling; Bert's 280z died on his way home from a successful wild boar hunt; and on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Rich still has to push his Passat into his garage...

Car Talk Podcast #2112: Love and an Automotive Weenie ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Jim thought he had a disaster on his hands after he left his gas cap off during a rain storm, but his pal came to the rescue by pouring mothballs into the gas tank. Can Tom and Ray give any explanation for why the mothballs got Jim's truck running? Meanwhile, Ray's got a theory about Heather's Jeep's popping noise that may win points for creativity and bogosity. Also, Patrick hopes the guys can help him design the perfect soapbox derby car; Ann needs assurance that putting a new engine in her beloved Fuego isn't the most ridiculous idea ever; and has one of our listeners identified the true scent of a man? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2111: Miles Per Mothball ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Jim thought he had a disaster on his hands after he left his gas cap off during a rain storm, but his pal came to the rescue by pouring mothballs into the gas tank. Can Tom and Ray give any explanation for why the mothballs got Jim's truck running? Meanwhile, Ray's got a theory about Heather's Jeep's popping noise that may win points for creativity and bogosity. Also, Patrick hopes the guys can help him design the perfect soapbox derby car; Ann needs assurance that putting a new engine in her beloved Fuego isn't the most ridiculous idea ever; and has one of our listeners identified the true scent of a man? All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2113: Nature Vs Nurture ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, if Art passes his AMC Concord onto his 16-year-old son, is he setting the kid on a life path of collecting junk cars? In other words, Art wants to know what Tommy's first car was. And worse, would the Concord doom his son to no social life? Elsewhere, James is about to relocate to Haiti, but needs a car with high ground clearance. His Honda Civic may not fit that description. Also, Wendy's husband is fogging up her car; Troy's VW sounds "satanic" at 1500 RPM, and Mary Rawson's friend offered to fix her brakes, but wants to be more than just friends. If she stops his advances, can she expect her car to stop? All this, plus the bright side of an expensive diagnosis, and lots more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.

Car Talk Podcast #2114: Click and Clack Defined ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Merriam-Webster helps answer the second most-asked question in Car Talk history: which brother is "Click" and which is "Clack." Unfortunately, they can't the answer the most-asked question: How did these jerks get on the radio in the first place? Elsewhere, Lee's mechanic told him he has a cracked "whoop tube," which may or may not refer to Lee's Town Car; a wayward binky has Marietta's driver's seat stuck in a bad spot; and traveling musician Valerie can't decide whether to dump the Dodge van that tows her trailer in favor of a Cadillac—sounds like a no-brainer to us! Also, on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Wendy used the snorkel test to figure out why her husband is fogging up her car. All this and more, t...

Car Talk Podcast #2115: The Floral Belvedere ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on The Best of Car Talk, Chris has flowers growing in his Belvedere, after birdseed got into his fresh air vent. To make matters worse, a kid stuffed chunks of blue cheese in the vents, so the car is stinky, too. Elsewhere, good intentions go really bad when Todd buys his girlfriend a 1973 Ford LTD, on the premise it would be safe and easy to work on. The car's loud backfire has led to one dead cat, several deceased goldfish, and one very strained relationship. Also, Andy wants to know if electronic gizmos can improve his Suburban's gas mileage to, say, 5 miles per gallon; and Dari wants to know if her truck is safe to drive, or sell, after falling off a lift. If she decides to sell, does she need to mention it?

Car Talk Podcast #2117: Inter-Species Communication ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week on the Best of Car Talk, thanks to modern research we can decipher what your mechanic is trying to tell you through his grunts. Meanwhile, Liz can only communicate her Volvo's steering problem through song. Elsewhere, Marni wants to pay tribute to her departed dad by pouring some of his ashes into his beloved Corvette's gas tank; Su (yes, that's how she spells it) wants to use a hair dryer to straighten her dented fender; and is the whirring noise Eric is hearing the death-bed cry of his Saab's turbo? Also, advice for Noah who's "going away" for a year, and wants his van to start when he gets back. All this and more, this week on The Best of Car Talk.