Listeners are treated to a delightful mix of humor and car advice as the Tappet Brothers reconnect with a past caller, Arup Gupta, who shares updates about his life and family. The episode features a lively discussion about car overheating issues with a caller named Judy, where the brothers debate potential causes and solutions. Their playful banter and unique storytelling make for an entertaining exploration of car troubles, along with a fun automotive puzzler that engages listeners in problem-solving.
Leave it to a couple of mechanics to make the case for doing only one thing at a time. A defense of ‘Monotasking’ on this Episode of the Best of Car Talk.
"...I returned to India, selling my 1987 Nissan Maxima along with all my other earthly possessions."
The Nissan Maxima is a large car made by Nissan that has been around since the 1980s. The 1987 version is known for being stylish and fun to drive.
The Nissan Maxima is a full-size car that has been produced by Nissan since 1980. The 1987 model is part of the third generation, known for its sporty design and performance features.
"...or have been driving a Mercury Mystique with an Ontario..."
The Mercury Mystique is a type of car that was made by the Mercury brand, which is part of Ford. It was a small car that people liked for being comfortable and getting good gas mileage.
The Mercury Mystique is a compact car that was produced by the Mercury division of Ford from 1995 to 2000. It was known for its comfortable ride and decent fuel economy, but it has since become less common in the used car market.
"So I did replace the thermostat and then eventually, with paperwork handled. There are thousands of cars like this in eBay about a year later..."
The thermostat is like a valve that helps keep the engine at the right temperature. If it doesn't work, the engine can get too hot or too cold, which can cause problems.
A thermostat is a crucial component in a vehicle's cooling system that regulates the engine's temperature by controlling the flow of coolant. If it fails, it can lead to overheating or inefficient engine operation.
"...in August of this year, it totally overheated and I had a new head gasket replaced. Yeah. And then in August, they also put in a new thermostat."
The head gasket is a part that seals the engine's parts together. If it breaks, it can cause leaks and serious engine problems, like overheating.
The head gasket is a critical seal between the engine block and the cylinder head, preventing coolant and oil from mixing and maintaining compression in the engine. A blown head gasket can lead to severe engine damage.
"...it started to do that same overheating thing, just like it had done a year ago. So I told my husband..."
Overheating happens when a car's engine gets too hot. This can be a problem because it can damage the engine if it doesn't cool down properly.
Overheating refers to a condition where an engine runs at a temperature higher than its normal operating range, which can lead to serious damage if not addressed. It can be caused by issues such as low coolant levels, a malfunctioning thermostat, or a failing water pump.
"...ne. I even got the model. What do you got? Honda Accord. I got Honda Civic. No, it's a Toyota 4Runner. A..."
The Honda Accord is a type of car that's good for families and people who drive a lot. It's known for being dependable and having a lot of space inside, making it a popular choice for many drivers.
The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan known for its reliability, spacious interior, and fuel efficiency. It has been a popular choice among families and commuters since its introduction in 1976, often praised for its balance of performance and comfort.
"...I got Honda Civic. No, it's a Toyota 4Runner."
The Honda Civic is a smaller car that many people choose because it uses less gas and is dependable. It's available in different styles like a sedan or hatchback.
The Honda Civic is a compact car that has gained a reputation for its fuel efficiency, reliability, and sporty performance. It is available in various body styles, including sedan, coupe, and hatchback.
"...onda Accord. I got Honda Civic. No, it's a Toyota 4Runner. And it's an 88. And you guys like Toyota."
The Toyota 4Runner is a strong SUV that's great for driving on rough roads or going off the beaten path. It's built to last and is popular with people who enjoy outdoor activities.
The Toyota 4Runner is a rugged SUV that has been in production since 1984, known for its off-road capabilities and durability. It is particularly favored by outdoor enthusiasts and those who need a vehicle that can handle tough terrain.
"I think you have a cracked cylinder head. Oh, that could well be. I'm not denying that that's possible."
A cracked cylinder head means there's a crack in a part of the engine that can cause it to overheat and leak coolant. This is a big issue that usually needs a lot of work to fix.
A cracked cylinder head is a serious engine problem where the metal of the cylinder head develops a crack, leading to coolant leaks, overheating, and potential engine failure. It often requires significant repairs or replacement.
"...if they say to you, it passes both tests, then I would ignore the temperature gauge and do what my brother suggests."
The temperature gauge tells you how hot the engine is running. If it gets too hot, it can cause serious problems, so it's important to keep an eye on it.
A temperature gauge is a dashboard instrument that shows the temperature of the engine coolant. It helps monitor the engine's operating temperature to prevent overheating.
"...you have to take off the radiator cap. That's invasive. That's easy."
The radiator cap is the lid on the radiator that keeps the coolant inside. It helps keep the engine cool by maintaining the right pressure in the cooling system.
The radiator cap is a pressure cap that seals the radiator and maintains the pressure in the cooling system. It helps prevent coolant from boiling and allows for the proper flow of coolant.
"...they're going to sniff the exhaust, they're going to sniff the vapors in the radiator and check for the presence of unburned hydrocarbons with their emissions tester."
An emissions tester checks how much pollution your car is producing. It's important for making sure cars are not harming the environment too much.
An emissions tester is a device used to measure the amount of pollutants in a vehicle's exhaust. It helps ensure that the vehicle meets environmental regulations and runs efficiently.
"...then they want to pressurize the cooling system and see if any..."
The cooling system keeps the engine from getting too hot. It uses a liquid called coolant to absorb heat and keep everything running smoothly.
The cooling system in a vehicle is responsible for maintaining the engine's temperature within a safe operating range. It includes components like the radiator, water pump, and coolant.
"...determine if you have a cracked head or a cracked head gasket. And we've done those tests on my brother repeatedly and determined definitely as a cracked head."
A cracked head is a serious issue in a car's engine where the part that holds the cylinders gets damaged. This can cause leaks and make the engine not work properly.
A cracked head refers to damage in the engine's cylinder head, which can lead to coolant leaks, loss of compression, and overheating. This condition can severely impact engine performance and may require extensive repairs.
"...me with a story worth sharing. Like a 1973 Dodge Charger tucked away in an Arizona barn for more than 40 y..."
The Dodge Charger is a big car that looks sporty and can go really fast. It's known for having a powerful engine and is popular among people who like cars that are fun to drive.
The Dodge Charger is a full-size sedan that combines performance with a muscular design, often associated with American muscle cars. Since its reintroduction in 2006, it has gained a following for its powerful engine options and sporty handling.
"...1999 Jeep Wrangler this year with a soft top on, you know, not realizing that those tops have to go up when it rains. And so I left it down..."
The 1999 Jeep Wrangler is a type of vehicle that is great for driving off-road and has a roof that can be taken off. It's important to put the roof up when it rains to keep the inside dry.
The 1999 Jeep Wrangler is a compact SUV known for its off-road capabilities and rugged design. It features a removable soft top, which allows for an open-air driving experience but requires attention during inclement weather.
"...1999 Jeep Wrangler this year with a soft top on, you know, not realizing that those tops have to go up when it rains..."
A soft top is a roof made of soft materials that can be opened up like a convertible. It's fun for driving in nice weather, but you need to close it when it rains to keep the car dry.
A soft top is a type of convertible roof made from flexible materials, allowing for an open-air driving experience. It can be easily removed or folded down, but it requires proper care to ensure it is secured during weather changes.
"...my horn hasn't worked and I clearly think this is a case of car sabotage..."
Car sabotage means someone is trying to mess with your car on purpose, like breaking something or making it not work. It's not an accident; someone is doing it to cause trouble.
Car sabotage refers to intentional damage or interference with a vehicle, often aimed at causing inconvenience or harm to the owner. This can include tampering with components like the horn or other systems.
"...the horn was just all rusted. Yeah. Yeah, they have, what do they call boats? They have vehicles for water travel."
Rust is what happens when metal gets wet and starts to break down. It can make parts of a car weak or not work at all.
Rust is a common issue for vehicles, especially older ones, caused by the oxidation of metal when exposed to moisture. It can lead to significant damage if not addressed.
"Well, I have a very simple general maintenance question. I have a 1992 Subaru Legacy wagon that only has 90,000 miles on it."
The Subaru Legacy is a family car that is known for being reliable and good in all weather conditions. The 1992 version is one of the earlier models.
The Subaru Legacy is a mid-size car that has been in production since 1989. The 1992 model is part of the first generation, known for its practicality and all-wheel-drive capability.
"I normally use the middle grade gas, which out here is 87 octane. We have 85, 87, 91."
Octane is a measure of how well gasoline can perform in an engine. Higher numbers mean the fuel can handle more pressure before it explodes, which is important for powerful engines.
Octane rating measures a fuel's ability to resist knocking during combustion. Higher octane fuels are typically used in high-performance engines that require more resistance to knocking.
"I normally use the middle grade gas, which out here is 87 octane."
Middle grade gas is a type of gasoline that is not the cheapest or the most expensive. It works well for most cars and is often a good choice for regular driving.
Middle grade gas typically refers to gasoline with an octane rating of 87, which is suitable for most standard vehicles. It balances performance and cost for everyday driving.
"You said they recommended 87. Well, I was adjusting for altitude. Oh, you already did that. Yeah. So we adjusted too."
Adjusting for altitude means changing how you use fuel based on how high you are above sea level. At higher places, engines might need different fuel to run well because the air is thinner.
Adjusting for altitude refers to modifying the fuel octane requirement based on elevation. At higher altitudes, the air is less dense, which can affect engine performance and fuel requirements.
"...Like a 1973 Dodge Charger tucked away in an Arizona barn for more than 40 years..."
A barn find is when someone finds an old car that has been hidden away for a long time, usually in a barn. These cars can be special because they are often in good condition and have interesting histories.
A 'barn find' refers to a vehicle that has been stored away, often for many years, and is discovered in a barn or similar location. These cars can be valuable due to their rarity and the stories behind them.
"...I have a problem with the electrical harness in my 94 Dodge Dakota pickup..."
The Dodge Dakota is a type of truck that is smaller than full-size pickups but larger than compact ones. It's often used for carrying loads and can be useful for various tasks.
The Dodge Dakota is a mid-size pickup truck that was produced by Dodge. It is known for its versatility and capability, making it a popular choice for both work and personal use.
"...I have a problem with the electrical harness in my 94 Dodge Dakota pickup..."
An electrical harness is like a network of wires that connects different parts of a car to allow them to work together. It helps power things like lights and the radio.
An electrical harness is a bundle of wires and connectors that transmit electrical power and signals throughout a vehicle. It plays a crucial role in the vehicle's electrical system.
"And you'll never get a chance to drive around in an 83 Buick Century in Scottsdale."
The Buick Century is a type of car made by Buick. The 1983 version is known for being comfortable and roomy, making it a popular choice for families.
The Buick Century is a mid-size car that was produced by General Motors under the Buick brand. The 1983 model is part of the sixth generation, known for its comfortable ride and spacious interior.
"...e. How are you? Good. What's up? I have a 96 Jeep Cherokee. It has four-wheel drive. I bought it because I ..."
The Jeep Cherokee is a small SUV that can handle rough roads and off-road adventures. It's popular with people who like to explore and need a vehicle that can go anywhere.
The Jeep Cherokee is a compact SUV that has been a staple in the Jeep lineup since 1974, known for its off-road prowess and versatility. It appeals to both urban drivers and adventure seekers due to its rugged design and capability.
"It has four-wheel drive. I bought it because I love wildflowers and hiking..."
Four-wheel drive means that all four wheels of the car can move at the same time, which helps the car drive better on rough or slippery surfaces.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) is a drivetrain system that allows all four wheels of a vehicle to receive power from the engine simultaneously. This enhances traction and control, especially in off-road or slippery conditions.
"Well, the fact that you have this sort of all-terrain vehicle makes the suspension such that when you hit a good bump, you go bouncing all around..."
The suspension is the part of a car that helps keep it smooth when driving over bumps. It helps the car stay stable and comfortable, especially on rough roads.
The suspension system of a vehicle connects the body to the wheels and helps absorb shocks from the road. It plays a crucial role in handling, ride comfort, and stability, especially on uneven surfaces.
"Well, the fact that you have this sort of all-terrain vehicle makes the suspension such that when you hit a good bump, you go bouncing all around..."
An all-terrain vehicle is a type of car that can drive on different surfaces, like dirt, mud, and rocks. They are built to handle rough roads and are often used for outdoor adventures.
An all-terrain vehicle is designed to handle various types of terrain, including rough and uneven surfaces. These vehicles typically have features like higher ground clearance and specialized suspension systems to improve off-road capability.
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This message comes from eBay. The worst part about loving cars might just be buying them,
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Hello and welcome to Car Talk from National Public Radio. With us, click and clack the
Tappet Brothers, and we're broadcasting this week from the Missing Persons Division here at
Car Talk Plaza. Does the name Arup Gupta mean anything to you? Does it ever, and here's an
actual letter from him. We fell in love with this name because this is a fellow that called us on
the show a few years ago, and for the first five minutes that we spoke to him, all we kept saying
was, what a beautiful name. Arup Gupta. Gupta. It's like a mantra. It just flows off the tongue.
Arup Gupta. Arup Gupta. And then he went off the radar screen. We don't know what happened to him.
We figured he got deported. Right. But we know now. We know now. And here's why.
Dear Tom and Ray, belated Merry Christmas and an early happy new year. I was trying to kill time
during this prolonged holiday season by indulging on of the favorite pastimes of the times,
surfing the internet. I did a search on my name, and lo and behold, I came across letters written
by your loyal listeners. I read the letters with considerable interest and thought that I should
come out of hiding and set the record straight for your sake, as well as that of your local
I know it. He's in exile. He's in the witness protection program.
All right. Soon after I called your show, when I lived in Phoenix, Arizona, I returned to India,
selling my 1987 Nissan Maxima along with all my other earthly possessions.
Aparna, his wife, and I had a beautiful daughter there. Her name is Anupriya. Anupriya Gupta.
Like it. Aparna Gupta. I hope you are as fascinated and enamored by their names as you are with
mine. So now you can have three mantras, Arup, Aparna, and Anupriya Gupta. Like the Hindu,
Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshva in that order and an increasing difficulty of pronunciation.
Yes. I returned to Houston, Texas earlier this year. This is like one of those Christmas letters.
Right. Put a new roof in my house. Put a new roof in my house, and my kid just read
war and peace twice. And he's only three. I returned to Houston earlier this year and acquired a 1999
Honda. Sounds like Hindu, Honda, according, among other things. So far, Touchwood, I have
had no need to call car talk on account of a car related problem. So I hope you will read at least
a portion of this letter in one of your upcoming shows and lay to rest theories on whether I am
a doctor on NYPD Blue or an actor or have been driving a Mercury Mystique with an Ontario
personalized license plate. You will also give some new mantras for your listeners to chant in a new
millennium or some nice new Indian names for their babies. Faithfully, Arup Gupta. Arup Gupta.
Or Aparna Gupta. I like Aparna. Aparna Gupta. Anupriya Gupta. Anupriya Gupta. You cut the accent,
man. I am from India. If you want to call us about your car, the number is 888-CART-TALK.
888-227-8255. Hello, you're a car talk. This is Gupta talk. Yeah, who's this? This is Judy. Judy,
Judy, Judy. Where are you from? From Arlington, Washington. Arlington. You know there's an
Arlington in all 50 states? No. You didn't know that, did you? I didn't know that. Well, it's true.
Well, you know there's an Arlington, Virginia. Yeah. Of course, you know there's an Arlington,
Washington. I'm there. There's an Arlington, Texas. Can you see the trend here? I see it.
Yeah, you do the extrapolation because that's from 3 to 50 is easy. Oh, yeah. So what's up, Judy?
Well, this is kind of a long story. Oh, good. Okay, here we go. About a year and a half ago,
whenever I left my house, after traveling for about five miles, my temperature gauge would rise
past the middle to about halfway between the middle and the red zone, and then it would fall back
down to the place where it normally stayed halfway between the bottom and the middle.
This went on for about a year. So how long does it stay up there? Not long. Just a few moments. Yeah.
It goes back. Right. Fine. I watched that and I replaced the thermostat. Did you say
yeah? Yeah, I did. I could see that. So I did replace the thermostat and then eventually,
about a year later, in August of this year, it totally overheated and I had a new head gasket
replaced. Yeah. And then in August, they also put in a new thermostat. Now, since August,
my car has been great. It hasn't overheated at all, not once. Yeah. Well, now the second week of
December, twice that week, it started to do that same overheating thing, just like it had done a
year ago. So I told my husband. Yeah. And he said, oh, honey, that's just normal. There's nothing
wrong. But I said it hasn't done that since August. Yeah. So I told my car guys that this had happened
and I said, should I be concerned? And they said, oh, yeah, yeah, this is a bad sign. Well,
it hasn't happened again. But everything so far seems to be fine. Now, you haven't told us,
and I'm going to guess, I think, what kind of a car it is. I guess I got mine too, man. I have mine
written down right here. Wait, I'm going to write mine down. Show you mine. I even got the model.
What do you got? Honda Accord. I got Honda Civic. No, it's a Toyota 4Runner.
And it's an 88. And you guys like Toyota.
88 4Runner. Yeah. Well, I would say Judy, Judy, Judy. This is so much fun talk to you guys.
Because we make up stuff as we go along and you believe it. And I think that's just marvelous.
I think that your husband is absolutely right and that you should just go along happy. Oh,
I couldn't disagree more. I like that answer. Go along and be happy. Well, I mean,
I agree with that part of it, but I couldn't disagree more with the diagnosis. I think there
is something terribly wrong. Oh, and I think you have a cracked cylinder head. Oh, that could well
be. I'm not denying that that's possible. See, I don't think that what the temperature gauge was
doing was a predictor of anything that was going to happen later. Oh, you don't. I don't.
My brother doesn't believe that. My brother thinks that the head gasket has a crack in it
and a little bit of that hot stuff combustion gas got into the coolant. And that's what made
it go up and down. I don't buy it. Well, here's what you need to do. Okay. You could do one of
two things. You can either believe your husband and my knucklehead brother and do nothing. On the
other hand, it would be nice to know if there were nothing wrong and they can do that by doing a
couple of little tests. Okay. And if they say to you, it passes both tests, then I would ignore
the temperature gauge and do what my brother suggests. Are these invasive tests? No, these are
not invasive tests. Slightly invasive. No, they're hardly, no, they're not invasive at all. You have
to take off the radiator cap. You have to take off the radiator cap. That's invasive. That's easy.
That's easy. That is easy. They have to take off the, they're going to sniff the exhaust, they're
going to sniff the vapors in the radiator and check for the presence of unburned hydrocarbons
with their emissions tester. And then they want to pressurize the cooling system and see if any
of the cylinders fills up with coolant. All right. And both of those tests, if done, will
determine if you have a cracked head or a cracked head gasket. And we've done those tests on my
brother repeatedly and determined definitely as a cracked head. Anyway, that's what I would
recommend. And if the test is negative, then just drive it, Judy. Okay. All right. Oh, thanks,
you guys. Thanks for calling. All right. See ya. Bye-bye. Bye-bye. All right. Tommy, do you remember
last week's quasi automotive puzzler? How quasi was it? Well, very quasi. In fact, I think you
felt quasi when you're... Anyway, I'll have the answer in just about a minute.
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Hi, we're back. Listening to car talk with us, click and collect the tappet brothers.
We're here to talk about cars, car repair and the answer to last week's puzzler.
What was the question? Well, I stole this quasi automotive puzzler
from the uncorrected galleys of a puzzle book by Terry Stickles with a forward by NPR's own
Puzzle Master, Will Schwartz. Oh, known to his friends as Frostia.
Yeah. All right, here it is. I'll try to make it. I remember it now.
You have been invited to go on a camping trip in the woods with 25 or 30 of your closest friends
and you've rented a cabin. So you're piling your cars. This is the automotive part.
Oh, that's right. And you drive. Yeah. Right. This is what made it. This was the loophole.
Yeah. And you drive to the cabin. The next morning, everyone gets up and it's decided
that Cookie is going to make homemade pancakes for everyone, but he needs exactly two gallons
of water for the recipe. So you are sent to the well to fetch two gallons of water and you've got
no measuring device. So you get to the well and there are two containers. One says 13 gallons
and the other says seven gallons. Using only those two containers, how can you measure exactly
two gallons of water? And you have unlimited water. I mean, you've got a well there, right?
No one else knows that you've got these two containers. They're at the well.
You just scratch off the thing that says seven gallons. You write on it two gallons and you
fill it to the top. I like it. I was going to know. Well, here's how I would do it. Yeah.
You take the seven gallon container and you fill it up and you pour the contents of it
into the 13 gallon and then you do that again. Sure. And when you do that, it's not all going to
fit. You're going to, you will have filled the 13 gallon container and you will have one gallon
left over in the seven gallon container. Right. You put that aside as they say in cooking reserve.
Reserve. You pour out the 13 gallon container or better than that, you pour it back into the well.
Pour it back into the well. Yeah. Right. So now you have one gallon in the seven gallon
container and the 13 gallon container is empty. You then take that one gallon and you pour it
into the 13 gallon container. Got it. Yeah. Leaving room for 12 more gallons. Right. You then fill
the seven gallon container again and pour the entire seven gallons into the 13. Now you're up
to eight gallons and you say, hmm, eight, how many, how many more? Five. You then fill the
seven gallon container a third or fifth or ninth time, whatever it takes and you pour all but
two gallons in because five from seven is two. There's only room for five in the 13 gallon
container. And you'll have two gallons left. You'll have two gallons left and if you don't
trip and fall on the way back to the cabin, you'll have exactly two gallons. They'll be able to make
the pancakes. And who's our winner Tommy? That's good. The winner is Boardman Lloyd. Yes. Boardman
is his first name. In fact, he signed his postcard. Bordy. And he's from our very own fair city,
Cambridge, Massachusetts. No kidding. Yeah. And for having his answer selected at random,
from among all the correct answers, Bordy is going to get a $25 gift certificate to the
Card Talk Shameless Commerce Division. Perhaps he could use it to get our puzzle book and then
he wouldn't be a board man anymore. Anyway, we will have a new long winded. Oh, I love those.
Intriguing. Well, the long winded ones are good because they allow for a lot of obfuscation.
Yeah. And out and out lying. Oh, great. Anyway, that puzzle will be coming up in the third half
of today's show. So stay tuned for that. Hey, do you know what it's time for? Time to convert our
Y2K shelter into a giant human door. Oh, no, no. It's time to play Stump the Chumps.
Stump the Chumps is that part of the show where we dip into our recent past to find out whether
the advice we gave out on the previous show was helpful or actionable. Well, who's our
plaintiff? I mean, who's our player this week? It's Neriff from Washington, DC. DC? Oh, no,
he's probably a lawyer with the FCC. No, he's a frat boy from Georgetown. But I scared you,
didn't I? Oh, yeah, now I remember.
No. 1999 Jeep Wrangler this year with a soft top on, you know, not realizing that those
tops have to go up when it rains. And so I left it down. It rained one night and when I came out
the next morning, I look at my car in the hoods up. So I go over there and my neighbor's sort of
looking at me with this skull. It's about eight in the morning. He says, you know, your horn was
going off about five in the morning. Oh, sorry. Oh, yeah. And then he says, oh, then I look at
him. I said, did you do this? No, no, it wasn't me. Right. So ever since then, my horn hasn't worked
and I clearly think this is a case of car sabotage. Yeah, no, it wasn't an accident that he
knows. Just say, all right, I give up. Yeah, sometimes you have to just confront play stupid.
Yeah, you're not going to believe this. I don't understand it. Somebody must have opened my hood
and they did something to my horn. Oh, that's good. That's good. Yeah. Yeah. You know anything
about cars? Would you take a look and stand back in case he slams the door in your face?
Well, at least we're restricting our advice of stuff we know about playing dumb. Actually,
we had a pretty good shot here. I mean, the horn system. I mean, how confusing is that?
We asked him if there were any cut or broken wires. He said he didn't see any. So we said
it had to be the fuse or the relay. Well, let's find out. Narif, are you there? Yeah, I'm there,
guys. Well, before we ask you about your hospital stay, we need to verify that the answer you're
about to give here today on Stump The Chumps has not been influenced by our staff, the staff of
National Public Radio, or the Washington D.C. Neighborhood Association's War Crimes Tribunal.
That's true? Well, that's true. No one's told me what to say. But then again, I am in D.C. and I
don't know if promises go a long way. They don't know. And the whole thing's being recorded anyway.
So how did you make out with the Clopex next door? Well, you know, I didn't really have to play
dumb. I just kind of fell into the dumb role. For some of us, it comes very, very easy. Yeah,
I tried your advice and I went to the guy and I asked him if he knew anything about cars because
I'd always see him walking around and sure enough, you know, he was really nice about it and came over
and started plugging away at those fuses. He just pulled them all out and looked at all of them,
see if any of them are broken and sure enough, one was busted. But wait, he didn't say
yet that it fixed the horn. But wait, you're right, there's more to it. Of course there is. We knew
it. We had extra fuses, changed it and it still didn't work. I was confused. I was really confused
and I kept kind of asking him if he had done anything and he said no, I hadn't and he was
really honest about it. So he told me to go to the dealership and have them look at it. Well,
when I went in, the dealer asked me what I had been doing in my car because it's a 99. It doesn't
really look like a 99 any longer and he figured out that I had been driving it in the wrong
places. See, I like to take it out in that Shenandoah River every now and again. Oh, you didn't tell us
this. So anyway, the guy figured it out and he realized that I had just broken the horn entirely
by having so much water. The horn was just all rusted. Yeah. Yeah, they have, what do they call
boats? They have vehicles for water travel.
I don't know if we're right or wrong here. We said it was something simple, but I don't think we
could take credit for this. Well, because you would have held information. On the other hand,
it's our job to draw out the correct information with simple questions like do you drive in the
river often? Yeah. And we didn't say that. So I think we lose on this one. I think we get partial
credit. What do you think? No, I think you definitely. Well, I don't want any credit. Now if you let
you let out voted. Well, here's the deal. I would have never gone to my neighbor if you guys hadn't
really put me up to it. Yeah, that was a pretty, yeah. In fact, now he's exonerated obviously.
Absolutely. Yeah, nice guy. And we even invited him over for barbecue one day after. Oh, isn't that
nice? Yeah, we still don't know who opened your hood. Well, I think it was him. I think so too.
How many people could it be? Good luck. Well, thanks. And thanks for playing Stump the Chumps.
Thank you. Take care guys. Bye bye. All right, folks, if you hear someone on the show that you
would like us to bring back for Stump the Chumps, you get two options. Email us your suggestion
from the cartalksectionofcars.com. Or don't email us and spare us the humiliation. In the meantime,
if you want to talk to us, the number is 1-888-CARTALK. That's 888-227-825. Hello,
you're on Car Talk. Hi, this is Sarah Jane from Boulder, Colorado. Hi, Sarah Jane. Sarah,
is there an H at the end of your name? No, there is a hyphen. Oh my god. Really? Between the Sarah
and the Jane? Not even Sarah Lee has a hyphen. Not even Sarah Lee has a, exactly right. Sarah Jane.
Yes. I like it. And did you have a hyphen at the last name too?
No. Like McDonnell Douglas? No. No. Yeah. Ligit Myers.
Wow, where are you from, Sarah Jane? Boulder, Colorado. Got it. Okay. So what's up?
Well, I have a very simple general maintenance question. I have a 1992 Subaru Legacy wagon
that only has 90,000 miles on it. And the owner's manual says that I should change the oil every
3,000 miles or three months. And I've heard you guys say that 5,000 miles is fine. But I don't
drive 1,000 miles in a month. So for me to change it every 5,000 miles would be every six months.
Perfectly adequate. Okay. So that's good enough. Perfectly fine. Great. Next question.
I normally use the middle grade gas, which out here is 87 octane. We have 85, 87, 91.
But these big box discount stores that sell gas, they sell only the lowest octane and the
highest octane. But the highest octane is usually cheaper than getting the middle octane any place
else. But I can't always get there. Can I get 87 octane when it's convenient and get the cheaper
91 octane? You can use the cheapest stuff all the time. In fact, they had 75. But my question is,
can I switch between octanes? Oh, yeah. We won't tell. You can switch. You can mix and match. You
can do anything you want. So it won't make my car sick. I mean, that legacy probably asks for 87.
It does. Is that right? Yes. Oh. But if it's cheaper to get 91, no. Well, if it's cheaper to
get 91 than 87, it won't hurt. But it's cheaper to get 85 at that place. Yes, it is. And that's the
cheapest alternative. Yeah, but I'm supposed to get 87. Well, you're supposed to get 87,
except that's the number recommended for the rest of the world, but not for your altitude.
You can use 85 because it's the equivalent of 87 because you live in Boulder. Yeah,
but they recommend 89. So when I use 87 here, it's like an 89 any place else.
You said they recommended 87. Well, I was adjusting for altitude.
Oh, you already did that. Yeah. So we adjusted too. We adjusted. We adjusted down to 85. Right.
So you should use 87. Right. But if I sometimes use 91 because of the financial
consideration. Sure, that's fine. That's okay. That's fine. Yeah. You could always use a higher
octane. Okay. All you'll do is waste money. But here I won't. But here you won't. But you should
never use a lower octane than they recommend. Well, your altitude is much higher than sea level,
which yours is. Well, you got the perfect opportunity here. Yeah. When you go to the cheap
old place, you get half 85 and half 91. The average of which is what? 87. 88. Exactly.
Wait a second. It's 88. I was adjusting for altitude.
And 88 would be good. And it would be fine. And it would probably, that would be much cheaper
than even than buying the 87. Right. And the other place. So that would, you can do exactly that.
Really? Oh yeah. And it'll come out to be right in the middle. That's how they do it.
Oh my God. Oh, this is terrific. Hey, Sarah, Jane, it's been a pleasure talking to you.
Thank you guys. It's been a lot of fun. Good luck up there in Boulder. Thank you. Bye-bye.
Bye-bye. All right. Look, it's time to take a short break. Yeah. And when we come back,
my brother will either read from the Talmud or present this week's plus.
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at CapitalOne.com. We're back. You're listening to car talk with us. Click and collect the
Tapper Brothers and we're here to discuss cars, car repair, and the new puzzler and as promised.
Oh yeah, long winded. Well, I'll try to make it as short and sweet as possible.
Okay, man. Yeah, go ahead. We have a friend, Tommy and I, who shall remain nameless,
who works in a government facility and does very important work. Yes. Very important work.
And one day he's at his desk working away, reading some very technical manual. We call that work.
Reading a technical manual. Oh, indeed. Yeah. When he's awakened, I mean startled
by the sound of his stomach growling. Yeah. He turns in his seat and looks at the electric
clock on the wall behind it. This is one of these clocks that's been there for like a
thousand years, plugs into the wall. Big analog round thing. Right. It says IBM on it. Something
like that. Yeah. Or simplex. So who made, who made all those clocks? IBM. IBM made all those
clocks. I don't know. They made a lot of them. He looks at the clock and he's, and as he turns
back to his work, he says, well, it's obviously too early to eat lunch. I must have forgotten to
eat breakfast. He begins to work. A short time later, he's again awakened, startled
by the growling of his stomach. And this time he turns to look at the clock another time.
You with me so far? I love it so far.
Oh, see if you love it in the morning. Yeah. He looks at the clock another time. Yeah. And he
notices that it's, first of all, says a time later than what it did the first time he looked at.
Arrow of time. Right. Yeah. The march of time. The second hand is sweeping. The hour hand is moved
from where it was the last time he looked at it. And the minute hand is in a different position.
And as he turns back to his desk again, thinking that he must have forgotten to eat breakfast and
he doesn't know how he's going to make it to lunchtime, his stomach growls a third time and he
says, the clock is broken. And yet everything seemed to be working. I had mentioned the hands
are moving. Yeah. Now I may have to give a hint. The question is, how did he know the clock was
broken? That's the question. Well, the minute hand, the second hand, and the hour hand have all
moved, you said. Yeah. But probably not in the right relationship. Yeah. The two hands are exactly
180 degrees apart, like they would be at six o'clock. That's the hint I was going to give.
Now, if you think you know the answer, write that answer on the back of a $20 bill or a
can of anchovies. Open the closed either and send it to Puzzler Tower, Car Talk Plaza, actually
sardines, I like sardines better smoke sardines. Oh, Car Talk Plaza, Box 3500, Harvard Square,
Cambridge, our fair city, Matt 02238 or you can email your answer from the car talk section
of cars.com. If you'd like to call us, the number is 1-888-CAR TALK. That's 888-227-8255.
Hello, you're on Car Talk. Hi, this is Nancy from Scottsdale. Hi, Nancy. Scottsdale. Scottsdale,
that's in Arizona. Yes, it is. AZ. Yes. What's up, Nancy? Are you retired? No, I'm certainly not.
Is everyone in Scottsdale retired? No. No? Is the average age over 75? Gosh, I hope not.
I better go look in the mirror. Well, it's the image I have of Scottsdale,
a bunch of octogenarians roaming around in 83 Buick centuries. Oh, boy, you're right on target for
some areas. And you can't see their heads. They don't have heads. So what's up, Nancy?
Well, I have a problem with the electrical harness in my 94 Dodge Dakota pickup. I have had problems
with pack rats getting on the engine block and building nests. And then all of a sudden,
my airbag lights stayed on and it won't go off. And I found on the floor a bunch of little
chewed-up pieces of carpet and three little one-inch pieces of wire. A pink one, a lavender one,
and a blue one. Well, let me pull out my wiring diagram here. And I'm just, I don't know if my
airbag's going to pay me an unexpected visit one day or if it's just dead and that's why the lights
on. Well, you know now that the light is on that the airbag will not deploy if you have a crash.
Oh, yeah. You know that. So I mean, that's the real issue. I mean, it may deploy. It's unlikely
that it will deploy when you don't have a crash, but it's not impossible. We don't know what the
little mice sees ate. Well, I can only find three little pieces of wire. Yeah. So you know what
you have to do. I mean, you've got to go to the dealer. Uh-huh. Evil as that may sound. And if in
fact they strip the insulation off the airbag wires, it's possible that if they touch together,
it could blow and you kiss it. How did they get in your car in the first place?
Well, the gasket on one of the holes that goes through the firewall has slipped off towards
the engine and so the holes wide open, the hotel's ready for them. Really? And they can fit? Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah. They can get in anywhere. Nancy, you've got to go to the dealer. You've got to get it fixed
because I mean, you don't want either of these conditions. You don't want the thing to go off
if you don't have an accident because then you will have an accident. Yeah. And you don't want it
to not go off if you do have an accident because then you'll be dead. And I won't like that.
I don't think right now. You won't like that. I'll never speak to you again. That's for sure.
And you'll never get a chance to drive around in an 83 Buick Century in Scottsdale.
Now, you've got to go and have them look at it. Okay. It's not going to be easy, but they're
going to have... No, it might be a cheap fix. Yeah. I mean, if they find why, I think it's going
to be obvious. They're going to find missing wires and they're going to just splice in a new piece.
Oh, I hope so. And they'll seal everything up so the mice will stay
somewhere out of the truck. But unfortunately, they'll do their damage under the hood. You need
to find some deterrent. You need a cat. The best deterrent now is to leave your hood open
and then it's not... It's bright so they won't go in there. Oh, there you go. Oh, is that how you
do it? Yeah. Makes driving challenging. Maybe you can put some plexiglass right there and leave
it open all the time. Good luck, Nancy. Okay, thank you. See you later. Good luck. Bye-bye.
1-888-CAR-TALK. That's 888-227-8255, a lawyer on CAR-TALK. Hi, it's June from Birmingham, Alabama.
June. How are you? Just great. Now, you see, you don't hear that. I have one customer whose
name is June. I like that name. June is a nice name. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. It's sort of sophisticated
and yet simple. My mother will thank you. Reminds me of the time I was in this really snotty
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