Car Talk Call of the Week Podcast
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#1320: A Sticky Situation
This week on Car Talk, a day of maple sugaring came to a bad end for John, when he spilled a 5-gallon container of syrup in his car. How can he get the sticky stuff out of the seatbelt holders, short of slipping a stack of pancakes in there to sop it up? Also, a classic Car Talk driveway moment, literally, as Jason pours gas down his truck's carburetor, and tries to start it on the air. Will the 20th time be the charm? And on Stump the Chumps, we find out whether Tom and Ray correctly...
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#1319: Click and Clack and Dear Old Ma
This week, get ready for some of our all-time favorite moments as 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...
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#1318: The Great Lion Escape
This week on Car Talk, would your mechanic ride 60 miles sitting on the engine of a Land Rover with his hand over the carburetor? What if the alternative was being stranded in an area of Tanzania where the lion population far exceeds the number of tow truck drivers? Happily for Newton, his Tanzanian guide was willing to ride the hot seat, and lead him to safety. All Tom and Ray need to do is explain why this worked--which may be more challenging. Closer to home, there's a new noise somewhere...
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#1317: The Neon of Dorian Gray
This week on Car Talk, Ian's Neon has discovered the Fountain of Youth. When the car goes over 50 MPH, the odometer begins running backwards. Can Tom and Ray figure out what's going on before the car drives itself all the way back to the assembly plant? Elsewhere, automotive history is made in Oregon, as Jim becomes the first person ever to feel guilty about selling a used car that's performing too well for its new owner; on Stump the Chumps, we find out Dana's jerking Jetta was really due...
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#1316: Rambler Separation Anxiety
This week on Car Talk, Linda needs counseling after her Dad sold the family's beloved Rambler station wagon to a 17-year old neighbor, rather than hand it down. Will Tom and Ray offer closure, or tips on how to trick the kid into selling the car back? Meanwhile, Tim in Florida may be wishing his Mom had sold her Buick, rather than gift it to him. It's missing the most essential accessory for Orlando--a working air conditioner. Elsewhere, Sukey is trying to convince her insurance company that...
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#1315: The 1962 Corvette Urn
This week on Car Talk, Marni is in possession of her late Dad's ashes, and his beloved 1962 Corvette. You see where this is going, right? How bad an idea is it for her to pour Dad's ashes into the gas tank, and is there a less combustible way she can make Dad one with his car? Elsewhere, Paul can't hear his Suburban's directional signal, and is convinced it's at fault, despite the fact that it manages to wake up his wife and daughters sleeping in the back seat; Gamin drove through a deep...
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#1314: Stump the Salesman
This week on Car Talk, LaDell's new career as a car salesman was off to a good start, until he opened his mouth. He bragged to a customer about a car's torque and horsepower, the customer asked LaDell to explain the difference… and he's still waiting for an answer. Elsewhere, Liberty's Nissan is sending a clear message: Give me new ball joints, or I may give you death; Tony's 17-year-old son says the fumes from Dad's Saab are responsible for him dropping AP history and not cleaning his...
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!313: Aspen Rehabilitation
This week on Car Talk, Donna's husband refuses to part with his 1977 Dodge Aspen. It runs like a champ, but looks like the 1962 New York Mets. It's so beat up that, during a recent storm, more hailstones made it through holes in the car than actually hit the body. Is this a job for Uncle Nunzio's sabotage team, or Mr. Gigi's beautification squad? Elsewhere, David's Nissan is jerking while accelerating, making it look like he doesn't know how to drive stick, and worse, tossing his dog all...
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#1312: When Martha Met Click & Clack
This week, the one and only Martha Stewart comes to Car Talk Plaza, to help bail out Tom and Ray on auto-domestic matters. How do you get crusted dog drool off a car? What's the best way to craft a shaving cream rosette on a wedding get-away car? And, how long does it take to cook a whole chicken on the engine manifold? Find out if Martha has any better automotive advice than our dynamic duo! Elsewhere, Patrick is baffled by his Camry's 50 percent drop in gas mileage; Dana's Jetta is making...
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#1311: To Mud Flap or Not to Mud Flap
This week on Car Talk, John is wondering whether 'tis nobler not to spray water on his fellow drivers at the risk of increasing his new car's risk of rust--which is a poetic way of asking, should he get mud flaps installed on his new car? Elsewhere, Manny's Chevy S-10 in having trouble adjusting to its new home. Ever since he moved, it won't start after an overnight rain; and Piali's steering wheel is making noises that she thinks are scary, but her husband thinks are hilarious. Also, former...
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#1310: Ben and the Junkonauts
This week on Car Talk, Ben's band is about to embark on a cross-country tour. They can't get a van, so the vehicle of choice is Ben's ancient Volvo 145. Will they make it to any gigs on time, or will they be performing solely for Volvo mechanics across the U.S.? Elsewhere, Rush's Land Rover is now infused with the aroma of rancid butter, after a stick of it melted on his dashboard, and coursed its way through his entire ventilation system. Will he ever be able to get rid of the stink,...
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#1309: The Pit of Despair
This week on Car Talk, Kerry's Boston condo came with one unfortunate feature--a large crater in the parking lot that fills with water every time it rains. She's worried that driving through this "pit of despair" every day is killing her Honda. Are those fears warranted, and does Kerry need the number for Vinny's Late Night Concrete Services, Inc.? Elsewhere, Vincent "inherited" his daughter's Jeep, along with its tendency to shake, rattle and die above 2,000 RPM; Ben needs help convincing...
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#1308: Geographically Undesirable
This week on Car Talk, Kate and Aaron's long-distance relationship has come to a road block. Aaron is afraid to drive, so Kate's doing all the traveling, and it's become a bit of a pain in the butt--figuratively, and literally. Can Tom and Ray help her get Aaron behind the wheel, or is this relationship headed for the crusher? Elsewhere, Erin inherited her Grandpa's Impala, and among its dozen or so problems, the most amusing is that when she turns on her high-beams, the directional signals...
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#1307: The Giving Trunk
This week on Car Talk, James thought he got a good deal when he bought his neighbor's Cadillac--and that's before the cash rebate, in the form of $3,200 hidden in the trunk. Should he hand the money over, or tear the rest of the car apart in search of more? Later, Tom and Ray are vexed by two noises: Scott thinks someone's playing a French Horn under the hood of his Explorer, and Jane keeps checking her Civic's trunk for the passenger who's banging on the sides. Also, Barry's lived a...
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#1306: The Little Morris Minor That Couldn't
This week on Car Talk, Jim loves his 1957 Morris Minor, except for one minor inconvenience--its 36 horsepower isn't enough to get it up hills, so his passengers have to get out and push. Does Jim need to keep a few Clydesdales on hand for an occasional tow? Elsewhere, Mo had to drive her boss's Saab, and the next day it needed a few hundred dollars' worth of clutch repairs. Should she be dreading her next employee review? Also, on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Dr. Paul's life no longer...
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#1305: The Great Snorkel Experiment
This week on Car Talk, Wendy's Honda was fogging up, but only when her husband was in the car with her. Tom and Ray postulated that hubby's breathing was causing the problem, and suggested Wendy experiment by having him breathe through a snorkel, out an open window. Now Wendy's back for Stump the Chumps with a full report on the Great Snorkel Experiment. Elsewhere, Adrienne found the perfect birthday present for her husband--700 pounds of rocks! Can her Saab handle the 300-mile trip, or does...
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#1304: How to Lose a Pinewood Derby
This week on Car Talk, Kathy is "helping" her son build his Pinewood Derby race car, and is looking for a few design tips. Can two MIT grads-- one of whom failed Physics twice-- lead her to Victory Row, or is this Cub Scout Den Mother barking up the wrong radio show? Elsewhere, Sophie thinks her Saab is laughing at her, and not just because it's delighted by her French accent; Ainsley's husband won't let her take her Honda to the car wash because he's worried it'll melt the Epoxy that's...
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#1303: Dumped, But Un-Towed
This week on Car Talk, Steve moved to Chicago for a job and a girlfriend. He lost both. But what's confusing him is why he didn't lose his ride, as well. His Acura was the only car that didn't get towed from a parking lot during a party. Did the parking deities take pity on him? Elsewhere, Chuck decided to cut his air conditioner belt because it was smoking, and now may find himself on the FBI's Most Wanted list; and Heidi may find out why her Check Engine light is blinking, if she can make...
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#1302: Male Braking Syndrome
This week on Car Talk, Tracy's husband has a brilliant (his word) approach to reducing brake wear--by stomping on them at the last possible second. Tracy thinks he's nuts and so does their dog-- he's afraid to get in the car. Elsewhere, Red was ready to live the dream in the '75 Pontiac he bought off a front lawn. Alas, his maiden voyage was cut short when the carpet burst into flames! Also, Wendy's Honda fogs up whenever her husband (and only her husband) rides in it; Linnea's Jetta has a...
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#1301: Schmutz on the Clutch
This week on Car Talk, Dana's Jetta is shaking violently in 1st Gear. Could the culprit be the dreaded (and highly technical) "schmutz on the clutch?" Meanwhile, in Dallas, Dr. Paul's life has been a Country-Western song: he totaled his car, his wife left him, and his dog died. Can Tom and Ray help him choose a new ride that will help him find a new love---and a new dog? Also, Science Museum educator Seniz needs a lesson from the space shuttle to understand the noise her Civic is making;...
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#1252: Il Fiat Miracolo
This week on Car Talk, what could make a Fiat's gas mileage increase exponentially over a few days? A holiday miracle, or might it be the same earthly reason said Fiat's mileage then decreases by the same amount? And, does it have anything to do with those guys laughing their butts off in the corner? Meanwhile, Rachel may need a miracle to keep her Camry's engine from jumping into the passenger seat, though opening her wallet might work just as well. Also, Delena's decided that 6 years is...
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#1251: The Suzy Saga
This week on Car Talk, Suzy's drive across Mexico is off to a rocky start. She hasn't even crossed the border, and her Vanagon is already making a new noise that could foreshadow the Death of a Transmission. Will Tom and Ray counsel her to turn back, or just to go shopping for a good pair of noise-canceling headphones? Elsewhere, Patricia's Subaru is having troubles starting, and exacerbating the problem is a large buffalo grazing between her and her car; and Katie's right leg is showing its...
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#1250: Tires Under the Tree
This week on Car Talk, nothing says, "I love you" better than… four new Michelins? Patty is dismayed by her boyfriend's plan to give her tires this Christmas. Can Tom and Ray help her convince him to think a wee bit more romantically? Meanwhile, in Our Fair City, Peter's friend showed his devotion by climbing into Peter's trunk when it wouldn't close. He succeeded in closing it, and when they realized he had the only key, spent the next several hours inside. Said friend is a Graduate...
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#1249: The Vanagon of Sierra Madre
This week on Car Talk, "Alternator? We don't need no stinkin' alternator!" Suzy is about to embark on a drive across Mexico in her Vanagon. Will Tom and Ray have any advice on how to prepare, aside from a pre-trip screening of Treasure of the Sierra Madre? Elsewhere, Michael stands to inherit his father-in-law's Lincoln, if he can figure out why it's stalling; Henry needs to know if he can still rely on his coat-hanger wielding, shade-tree mechanic pal Sammy, after a brake job failed to make...
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#1248: Brake Stompers and Garage Hoggers
This week on 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, Nan's trying to figure out how to get her new husband to share his garage with her Accord, and why the Accord won't start after it's parked in said garage. Any guesses on which question Tom and Ray might have an answer for? Also, Bob's got an exposed airbag in his Sonata and, as a result,...
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#1247: Clutch Killer of the Month
This week on Car Talk, John thinks his employee Steve is a great guy. However, Steve may have destroyed the clutch on the company truck, after only a few hours of driving. Enter Tom and Ray, prepared to stage a driving intervention with Steve, and maybe handle his employee performance review at the same time. Elsewhere, Faith just relocated from Maine to Alaska because she was longing for snow. Her Subaru seems displeased with the move, though, as it's begun making an alarming noise. Also,...
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#1246: The Acura Bird Poop Magnet
This week on Car Talk, do birds aim their droppings? Ross in Seattle traded his green Acura for a white one, and suddenly he's scraping heaps of avian deposits off his roof. Elsewhere, Jenny's Sebring has a water retention problem in the driver's door, which is giving her mechanics a good laugh; Selene's about to kill her budding Hollywood career, and terrify her cat, by imitating the noises her Cadillac is making; and Dan has survived four years of driving in New York City, without Reverse....
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#1245: The Car Talk Economic Stimulus
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...
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#1244: Grandma Is Peeling Rubber
This week on Car Talk, Linda has no problems driving her Forester. But when she's hauling her grandkids in her daughter's minivan, she can't take off from a stop without the car sounding like she's drag racing. Can Tom and Ray help her, before the kids tattle on her? Elsewhere, Charlotte and her husband decided to liven up their lives by adopting four little kids. And to make things more exciting, they're thinking a beater car in the backyard might make a good playhouse for the tykes. Also,...
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#1243: Bemidji or Bust
This week's Car Talk features our favorite road trip story, ever. It stars Dave and his girlfriend; travels from Alaska to Bemidji, Minnesota; and the featured cast includes an overheating Chevy Cavalier, a crescent wrench with no sockets, an old campfire grill, and-- yes-- a zit on Dave's forehead. As for the plot, well, you'll just have to hear for yourself. Elsewhere, Ann thinks her Buick's radio is trying to "Gaslight" her into thinking she has a hearing problem; Jed's learning why...
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#1242: Diplomatic Immunity
This week on Car Talk, the untended 3:00 AM car alarm is one of the great nuisances of urban life. But, for Mike in DC, the problem is especially annoying. The offending car is parked at a nearby embassy, and the Police won't go near it. Does Mike need to get a vote from the UN Security Council to finally get a good night's sleep? Meanwhile, Twila in Missouri is hoping Tom and Ray can intervene, and break the news to her brother that his truck got smashed while under her watch--even though...
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#1241: The Shrink-Wrapped Land Rover
This week on Car Talk, Mike is about to leave Anchorage, and embark on a two-year sailing trip. But, he doesn't know if his lovingly restored Land Rover can survive two Alaskan Winters without him. Will Cosmoline or late-night TV save the day? Elsewhere, Eileen is having trouble starting her Celica, and thinks the problem is related to her "cute little foot," and Darryl's Isuzu only runs smoothly when the Check Engine light comes on. Also, Amanda's dad gifted her an Infiniti which is way too...
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#1240: The Forget-A-Key
This week on Car Talk, medical school student Christine is having a little trouble remembering things--happily, she's not leaving any forceps in patients, but she is repeatedly leaving her keys locked in her Camry. Does she need to gift all of her classmates with copies of her key? Elsewhere, Judy and her husband went car shopping and agreed on everything except the color. So who better to ask to adjudicate than two guys who are color blind? Also, Jose hopes his MIT degree has prepared him...
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#1239: The Truth About Leaf Peepers
This week on Car Talk, welcome to foliage season! Tourists are descending on New England, and locals like Kurt have plenty of time to sit in traffic, developing theories about the drivers clogging his roads. Hey, if wacko Auto-Sociological musings keep his blood pressure down, who are we to argue? Elsewhere, Angela's about to get some sour news about the sweet smell emanating from her dashboard; no good jump start goes unpunished for Bridget, after a friend accused her of doing $1,300 of...
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#1238: My Engine Is on Fire
This week on Car Talk, Glen's summer vacation got a little more exciting when his rental car caught on fire, after he spilled oil on the manifold. He escaped unscathed, but did the car? And, more importantly, did he 'fess up to the rental company? Elsewhere, Joann's getting a foot bath from her Grand Caravan; Ed's Jetta needs a few seconds to convince itself it really wants to go into Reverse; and Sue's wondering why PAM cooking spray quieted her noisy fan belt. But our deepest question of...
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#1237: Vlad the Impala
This week on Car Talk, listeners weigh in on the great Car Naming debate, including one very persuasive cautionary tale about why you shouldn't name your car after your wife. Then it's off to Wisconsin, where Martha's unnamed Chevy van has developed a nasty habit of acting like it's run out of gas; and to Ohio where Fatymah's beloved Civic, "Little Red," has a big transmission problem. Elsewhere, Kate's family trip turns into a terror-filled ride down Mount St. Helens, all because nobody...
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#1236: Bernoulli This!
This week on Car Talk, the best defense is--a boooogus scientific explanation? Hey, it's always worked for Tom and Ray! Katie's roommate cited the Bernoulli Effect to explain why he gunned the engine to dislodge her stuck car door. She told him where he could stick his Bernoulli. Will Tom and Ray back her up? Elsewhere, Ray has a perfect diagnosis for Heidi's noisy 4Runner--if he can convince her that a "shugga shugga" is actually a groan, and Frank may need a box of doughnuts to help him...
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#1235: A Truck By Any Other Name
This week on Car Talk, Robert is a "Car Namer." More specifically, he's always given his vehicles female monikers. So imagine his shock when he learned that his truck's previous owner had already named it... Mark! Can Robert change his truck's name (and gender!) without giving it an identity crisis? Then we dig into the Department of Odd Noises. Elisha's Honda is making a sound she describes as "a mouse wearing stilettos, doing a tap dance on a marble floor." And, Maureen's looking for a way...
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#1234: I Spit On Your Volvo
This week on Car Talk, remember Heather's Volvo that was dying at high altitudes? Tom and Ray get an update on Helmut the Cranky Mechanic, who may have caused the problem. Did he finally 'fess up? Find out on Stump the Chumps. Elsewhere, Elizabeth thought a herd of cows was following her on her Summer roadtrip, until she realized the mooing was coming from her air conditioner; Bruce just learned why you shouldn't buy a used car from your brother; and Wendy's wondering if a vintage Beetle can...
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#1233: It's All About the Hot Butt
This week on Car Talk, Tom and Ray discuss the ever-so-important car accessories: butt coolers and heaters! Cupholders and fuzzy dice are so pass--keeping your derriere at the optimum temperature is now what it takes to be au courant. At least, if you're Ray Magliozzi. Then, we delve into other pressing automotive issues... like how often should you clean bird poop off your car? And when it comes to breaking in a new vehicle, do you have to drive like a blue-haired old lady? And, when you...
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#1232: Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Click...
This week on Car Talk, Tom and Ray dip into the mailbag to answer some personal questions from listeners. To name a few: Which brother snorts? Was either one wedgied as a kid? And, has either brother ever been hauled off to jail? We're not sure why anyone wants to know this stuff, either, but fortunately there's also time for some car questions. There's Debra, who can't turn her key in the ignition until she pushes the car forward; Rane, who's worried that the engine might be about to fall...
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#1231: The Clairvoyant Mechanic
This week on Car Talk, Ann's car is emitting a mysterious gummy substance through the vents. Her mechanic doens't know what it is, or where it's coming from. But, that hasn't stopped him from telling Ann it'll cost her $1000 to fix it! Talk about psychic powers! Elsewhere, 13-year old Thomas was gifted a '94 Altima for helping a car dealer. Now, he needs Tom and ray's help convincing him Mom to let him drive it when he gets his license in three years. Also, Alita needs help keeping the Truck...
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#1230: A High Octane Straw
This week on Car Talk, Andy borrowed his Dad's Buick for a romantic drive to the country. All was right with the world, until he ran out of gas. A Good Samaritan gave him a few gallons, but somehow Andy managed to drop a straw into the gas tank. Now, Dad's car is running lousy, and Andy needs to know if one straw could cause a few boat payments worth of damage. Elsewhere, Brian is trying to decide whether his Mercedes' new noise is the sound of it playing Taps; Mary wants to coax a few more...
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#1229: The Lincoln Stretch Bike Carrier
This week on Car Talk, Sherry and her husband discovered they couldn't mount their bike rack on the roof their new Lincoln Town Car. How are they going to haul around their kids and bikes? His solution is a Minivan. Hers? A Town Car Stretch Limo. Can Tom and Ray bring a return to domestic tranquility? Elsewhere, Michele's husband thinks she has too many keys dangling from her ignition, and has made the most dire threat: either she divests of a few keys, or his Mom's moving in with them....
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#1228: Karmen and the Burper
This week on Car Talk, Karmen's husband is a "burper." At the gas pump, he shakes the car to get the air out, and more gas in. Karmen thinks this is wacko--which it is--but is her nozzle technique any less crazy? Elsewhere in matters auto-relational, Jim just noticed that all of his romances have been with women who drive Volkswagens; and Derek needs to get his beloved Jeep off the front lawn, before his wife gets him out of the house. Also, a passenger-side farting sound is causing some...
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#1227: A Civic Divorce
This week on Car Talk, after three crashes, nine vandalizations, and one, "Ah, never mind" theft, Ellen has decided to part ways with her Honda Civic. Does she need to disclose its troubled past to prospective buyers? Elsewhere, Glenn loves his CRX, but his friends are telling him the car is scaring away potential dates. Does he need new wheels, or maybe just a new wardrobe? Also, Greg's Jetta begins shedding hair; Alicia decides that four years is long enough to ignore a flashing Check...
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#1226: Who Drowned My Corolla
This week on Car Talk, Maria's car was minding its own business in her boyfriend's driveway, until his ex-wife came along and gave it a tap, which sent it rolling straight on down to the Connecticut River. Was the ex's tap more of a shove, or is Maria's boyfriend guilty of leaving it in "ready to roll" position? Elsewhere, Debra's truck is making a mysterious knocking sound; Matt's wife won't go near their new car after a mouse spotting; and Sara's got the DIY bug, and wants to tackle a...
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#1225: Do One To Others
This week on Car Talk, kids give the "Golden Rule" and a few other maxims an innocent (yet funny) twist. Then it's off to Arizona where Lily's Taurus is making a noise that she hopes will lead her husband to make another noise-- namely, "Let's buy you a new Mustang." But all is not well in Mustang-land for Martin--his is emitting blue smoke, so his wallet may be emitting a large boat payment. Meanwhile, out in Washington, Amanda's marriage is only a few days away, but if she and her fiance...
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#1224: You Sap
This week on Car Talk, alas poor Yousef. His fiancee called him a sap, after he fell for a recommendation that he use special "high mileage oil" in his Saturn. Will Tom and Ray be any more sympathetic, or will they try to sell him the Brooklyn Bridge? Elsewhere, Maggie's hand-me-down Buick is shaking while climbing; Nick's fuel pump is buzzing after the car is turned off; and Jason's brakes are squealing--when he's not stepping on them. Also, on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Tom and Ray...
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#1223: Emboldened Electrons
This week on Car Talk, David's Dodge is having trouble starting, unless he turns the key and counts to 10. Can his problems be solved by a Few Brave Electrons and a broom handle? Meanwhile, Barbara is about to leave her accounting job and head off on a six-month road trip, and wants to do it in the least fiscally prudent vehicle possible--a VW Camper Van. Her biggest problem may be grabbing one before Tommy does. Also, Rachel in Minnesota had a very bad windshield wiper day--one blade...
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#1222: Burnt Clutches, Blown Relationships
This week on Car Talk, Caroline's ex-boyfriends have labeled her a Clutch Killer. She's ignored their admonitions because, well, she was driving their cars. But, now she's got her own car, and first gear's getting a little jerky. Is she ready to face the music? Meanwhile, family trouble may be brewing for Mac out in California. Mac's brother borrowed his truck, and while driving it, the hood flew open, and caused a few boat payments-worth of damage, for which Mac's brother didn't offer to...
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#1221: The Steve Revolution
This week on Car Talk, could one honest man de-sleazify the entire used car industry? Probably not, but that won't stop Tom and Ray from trying to convince Steve that it'd be a good idea to fix or disclose his CRV's tendency to take on water before trading it in. This week's other probing auto-behavioral question comes from Dan in New Hampshire: Do people who keep their cars longer, stay married longer? On the technical front, Anna's Volvo will only start when it's facing downhill;...
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#1220: The Black Hole of Auto Metaphysics
This week's Car Talk kicks off with one listener's brilliant (and only sorta wacko) theory: a non-essential repair on an old car creates a parallel universe in which everything else starts to break. Then it's off to New Mexico, where Nolina has two choices for dealing with a disintegrating head gasket: a $2500 engine re-build, or a $10 can of Bar's Leaks. Any bets on which side Tom and Ray come down on? Elsewhere, Michael in New Jersey needs to replace his beloved minivan with something that...
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#1219: The LTD of Destruction
This week on Car Talk, good intentions go bad. For starters, Todd decided to buy his girlfriend a 1973 Ford LTD, on the premise it would be safe and easy to work on. Unfortunately, the car's loud backfire has led to one dead cat, several deceased goldfish, and one very strained relationship. Elsewhere, Kate's friends decided to surprise her by picking her up in her car. The only problem? They didn't know how to drive a stick, and burned out her clutch. And out in Montana, Dari's mechanics...
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#1218: Tire Pressure Goblins
This week on Car Talk, strange things are happening in the night: Bruce's tires are going from full to flat while he sleeps; Cynthia is adding Maalox to her engine instead of motor oil; and Jinx's romantic moonlight drive is interrupted by smoke billowing from the dashboard after he turned off his headlights. Smoke is also an issue for Henry in California. Actually, it may be more of an issue for his neighbor, who happened to be standing behind Henry's car when it made its morning billow...
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#1217: Cynthia and the Swimming Goats
This week on Car Talk, Cynthia's 1987 Vanagon is dying, so she needs a new ride for her three Nigerian swimming goats. After all, the goats have to get to their pool parties, right? Another family transport crisis is unfolding in San Diego, where Scott's wife wants to buy a motorcycle complete with a sidecar, to get around town with their two small kids. Meanwhile, Kat in Seattle is about to learn an expensive lesson about why you shouldn't speed over speed bumps; and, Lisa's efforts to save...
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