{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"#2613: Plague-proofing Your Car","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/2613-plague-proofing-your-car","audioUrl":"https://prfx.byspotify.com/e/play.podtrac.com/npr-510208/traffic.megaphone.fm/NPR9008825437.mp3?t=podcast&e=nx-s1-5708975&p=510208&d=2137&size=34195000","description":"Rain is an aptly named woman from Florida who is currently battling at least two biblical plagues attempting to take over her Acura. Since Charlton Heston isn’t available to help, she called Clickus and Clackus the Chariotsmiths instead. Will miracles ensue? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy"},"annotations":[{"startTime":69.9,"endTime":75.1,"type":"car","title":"Chevrolet Corvair","url":"/cars/chevrolet/corvair","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/1963_Chevrolet_Corvair_Monza_900%2C_Blenheim_Classics_Auto_Show%2C_Blenheim%2C_Ontario%2C_2025-06-21_01.jpg","quote":"...hey, my Corvair didn't smell that bad or, hey, what do you mean unreliable?","canonicalId":"car:chevrolet:corvair","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Chevrolet Corvair was a compact car produced by Chevrolet from 1960 to 1969. It is known for its unique rear-engine layout and was one of the few American cars to feature a flat-six engine.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Chevrolet Corvair is a small car made by Chevrolet in the 1960s. It had a special engine in the back instead of the front, which made it different from most cars at the time.","imageAttribution":"Crisco 1492 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":76.0,"endTime":79.4,"type":"car","title":"Chevrolet Vega","url":"/cars/chevrolet/vega","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/1971_Chevrolet_Vega-cutaway.jpg","quote":"...or, hey, what do you mean unreliable? My Vegas started on three consecutive mornings one summer.","canonicalId":"car:chevrolet:vega","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Chevrolet Vega was a subcompact car produced by Chevrolet from 1970 to 1977. It was known for its lightweight design and innovative use of materials, but it also faced criticism for reliability issues.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Chevrolet Vega is a small car that Chevrolet made in the 1970s. It was light and had some new ideas in its design, but it also had some problems that made it less reliable.","imageAttribution":"Chevrolet pre-1978 (Public domain)"}},{"startTime":99.66000000000001,"endTime":104.84,"type":"car","title":"Volkswagen Bus","url":"/cars/volkswagen/bus","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/1964_Volkswagen_T1_Transporter_Kombi_bus_%286105785703%29.jpg","quote":"the Volkswagen bus got blown all over the road, didn't have any heat to speak of, and used the driver's legs as its first line of defense in an accident.","canonicalId":"car:volkswagen:bus","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Volkswagen Bus, also known as the VW Type 2, is a classic vehicle that became iconic for its unique design and versatility. It was widely used for transportation and as a camper van, especially during the 1960s and 1970s.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Volkswagen Bus is a famous van that many people recognize. It was popular for families and travelers, especially in the 60s and 70s, and is known for its boxy shape and spacious interior.","imageAttribution":"sv1ambo (CC BY 2.0)"}},{"startTime":228.7,"endTime":231.8,"type":"term","title":"clutch cable","url":"/glossary/clutch-cable","quote":"You'll know you're almost there when the clutch cable goes out.","canonicalId":"term:clutch-cable","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The clutch cable is a critical component in manual transmission vehicles, connecting the clutch pedal to the clutch mechanism. When the cable fails, it can prevent the driver from disengaging the engine from the transmission, making it impossible to shift gears.","simplifiedExplanation":"The clutch cable is a part that helps you change gears in a car with a manual transmission. If it breaks, you won't be able to shift gears properly, which can cause problems while driving."}},{"startTime":231.8,"endTime":240.2,"type":"car","title":"Volkswagen Westfalia","url":"/cars/volkswagen/vanagon","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e0/1978_Volkswagen_Westfalia_Berlin_camper.jpg","quote":"Bob Hammer, balding frost-bitten owner of a goat vomit green, 76 Westfalia in Wichita.","canonicalId":"car:volkswagen:vanagon","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Volkswagen Westfalia is a camper van that was popular in the 1970s, known for its distinctive design and versatility for road trips and camping. The '76 model refers to its production year, which is part of the Type 2 generation of Volkswagen vans.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Volkswagen Westfalia is a type of van that can be used for camping. The 1976 model is one of the versions made in the 1970s, and it's known for its unique look and ability to be converted into a small living space.","imageAttribution":"LikeDrinkingAcid (CC BY 4.0)"}},{"startTime":348.24,"endTime":354.62,"type":"car","title":"Volkswagen Jetta","url":"/cars/volkswagen/jetta","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/2022_Volkswagen_Jetta_VII_1X7A0154.jpg","quote":"Ninety-five Volkswagen Jetta with windshield wipers that have a mind of their own, which typically is not a problem in Seattle.","canonicalId":"car:volkswagen:jetta","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact car that has been popular for its practicality and efficiency since its introduction in the 1980s. The 1995 model is part of the third generation, known for its reliability and comfort.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Volkswagen Jetta is a small car that many people use for everyday driving. The 1995 version is known for being dependable and comfortable to drive.","imageAttribution":"Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":366.0,"endTime":372.3,"type":"part","title":"wiper switch","url":"/glossary/wiper-switch","quote":"Brought them into the dealer in December and they changed the wiper switch. The switch? The switch.","canonicalId":"part:wiper-switch","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.85,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The wiper switch is a control mechanism that allows the driver to operate the windshield wipers, adjusting their speed and activating them as needed. A malfunctioning wiper switch can lead to wipers that operate erratically or not at all.","simplifiedExplanation":"The wiper switch is the part of the car that you use to turn the windshield wipers on and off. If it doesn't work properly, the wipers might not work when you need them."}},{"startTime":552.0,"endTime":556.3,"type":"term","title":"airbag light","url":"/glossary/airbag-light","quote":"...the airbag light was coming on and off. Oh, I'd worry about that because the airbag light is on. The airbag is not going to work.","canonicalId":"term:airbag-light","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The airbag light indicates a problem with the airbag system in a vehicle. When this light is illuminated, it usually means that the airbag may not deploy in the event of a crash, which poses a significant safety risk.","simplifiedExplanation":"The airbag light is a warning light on your dashboard. If it’s on, it means there’s an issue with the airbag system, and it might not work if you get into an accident."}},{"startTime":567.7,"endTime":570.0,"type":"term","title":"wiring harness","url":"/glossary/wiring-harness","quote":"...it's possible that somewhere in the wiring harness...","canonicalId":"term:wiring-harness","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"A wiring harness is a bundle of wires that transmits electrical power and signals to various components in a vehicle. Issues with the wiring harness can lead to electrical problems, including malfunctioning systems like airbags.","simplifiedExplanation":"A wiring harness is a group of wires that connects different parts of a car. If there's a problem with it, some electrical features might not work properly."}},{"startTime":1108.06,"endTime":1113.18,"type":"car","title":"Oldsmobile Cutlass","url":"/cars/oldsmobile/cutlass","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/1969_oldsmobile_cutlass.jpg","quote":"OK, I've got a 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and I have this little alarm thing that goes off whenever I do something like turn off the car and leave...","canonicalId":"car:oldsmobile:cutlass","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is a mid-size car produced by Oldsmobile from the 1960s to the 1990s. It was known for its comfortable ride and was popular during its time for its spacious interior and various engine options.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme is a car made by Oldsmobile, a brand that was popular in the past. It was known for being comfortable and having a lot of space inside.","imageAttribution":"Larry D. Moore (CC BY 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1124.0,"endTime":1127.6,"type":"term","title":"gas pedal","url":"/glossary/gas-pedal","quote":"...when I have the lights on, I'm driving down the highway, my lights on and I apply the gas pedal, the alarm starts going off.","canonicalId":"term:gas-pedal","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The gas pedal is the control in a vehicle that regulates the engine's power output, allowing the driver to accelerate. Pressing the gas pedal increases the engine's RPM, which in turn increases the vehicle's speed.","simplifiedExplanation":"The gas pedal is the part of the car that you press with your foot to make it go faster. When you push it down, the car speeds up."}},{"startTime":1129.0,"endTime":1132.9,"type":"term","title":"brakes","url":"/glossary/brakes","quote":"...if I put my foot on the brakes, it will go off.","canonicalId":"term:brakes","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Brakes are the components of a vehicle that slow down or stop the car by applying friction to the wheels. They are essential for safe driving and control of the vehicle.","simplifiedExplanation":"Brakes are what you use to stop the car. When you press the brake pedal, the car slows down or comes to a stop."}},{"startTime":1293.92,"endTime":1294.88,"type":"car","title":"Volkswagen Vanagon","url":"/cars/volkswagen/vanagon","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/1982_Volkswagen_Vanagon_L.JPG","quote":"Okay, I've got an 85 Volkswagen vanagon Um, it started running rough on a rainy day like it was on stopping go in the city","canonicalId":"car:volkswagen:vanagon","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Volkswagen Vanagon is a versatile van that was produced from 1979 to 1992. It is known for its spacious interior and is often used for camping and road trips. The 1985 model is part of the second generation of the Vanagon, which features a boxy design and rear-engine layout.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Volkswagen Vanagon is a type of van made by Volkswagen, popular for camping and traveling. The 1985 version is known for its roomy interior and unique shape.","imageAttribution":"Alf van Beem (CC0)"}},{"startTime":1313.2,"endTime":1318.1,"type":"part","title":"fuel pump","url":"/glossary/fuel-pump","quote":"...it was uh the fuel pump. I think making the noise sure...","canonicalId":"part:fuel-pump","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"A fuel pump is a critical component in a vehicle's fuel system that delivers gasoline or diesel from the tank to the engine. If a fuel pump fails, it can lead to engine stalling or failure to start, as the engine relies on a steady supply of fuel to operate.","simplifiedExplanation":"The fuel pump is a part of the car that sends fuel from the gas tank to the engine. If it doesn't work, the car might not start or could stop running while driving."}},{"startTime":1359.5,"endTime":1365.2,"type":"term","title":"vacuum leak","url":"/glossary/vacuum-leak","quote":"...you said it was a vacuum leak and you said, okay, you know, you uh, they go to the garage and they have this little propane thing...","canonicalId":"term:vacuum-leak","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"A vacuum leak occurs when there's an unintended gap in the intake system that allows air to enter the engine without passing through the mass airflow sensor. This can lead to poor engine performance, increased emissions, and difficulty starting the vehicle.","simplifiedExplanation":"A vacuum leak is when air gets into the engine where it shouldn't, which can cause problems like rough idling or stalling. It's like having a hole in a balloon that lets air escape."}},{"startTime":1369.0,"endTime":1377.2,"type":"term","title":"propane torch","url":"/glossary/propane-torch","quote":"...I wish I knew that before I took the camping propane bottle in the screwdriver and burned up all them wires...","canonicalId":"term:propane-torch","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.8,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"A propane torch is a tool that uses propane gas to produce a flame, often used for tasks like soldering, heating, or, in this case, detecting vacuum leaks by applying heat to specific areas of an engine to see if it affects engine performance.","simplifiedExplanation":"A propane torch is a tool that burns propane gas to create a flame. It's often used for heating things up or finding leaks in car engines by seeing if the flame changes when pointed at certain spots."}},{"startTime":1458.3,"endTime":1463.26,"type":"term","title":"spark plug wire","url":"/glossary/spark-plug-wire","quote":"...that you have a bad spark plug wire","canonicalId":"term:spark-plug-wire","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"A spark plug wire is a component that transmits electrical current from the ignition coil to the spark plug, which ignites the air-fuel mixture in the engine's combustion chamber. A bad spark plug wire can lead to misfires, poor engine performance, and difficulty starting the vehicle.","simplifiedExplanation":"A spark plug wire helps send electricity to the part of the engine that makes it go. If it's damaged, the engine might not run well or could have trouble starting."}},{"startTime":1485.1,"endTime":1490.0,"type":"part","title":"distributor cap","url":"/glossary/distributor-cap","quote":"I suspect you have either a cracked distributor cap or a bad spark plug wire...","canonicalId":"part:distributor-cap","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The distributor cap is a component of the ignition system that houses the ignition coil and directs the electrical current to the correct spark plug. A cracked distributor cap can cause misfires and poor engine performance, particularly in damp conditions.","simplifiedExplanation":"The distributor cap helps send electricity to the spark plugs. If it's cracked, it can cause the engine to run poorly, especially when it's wet outside."}},{"startTime":1900.8,"endTime":1907.3,"type":"car","title":"Acura Integra","url":"/cars/acura/integra","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Acura_Integra_%28DE4%29_WGI22.jpg","quote":"I have an 88 accurate integrates my first car","canonicalId":"car:acura:integra","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"The Acura Integra is a compact car that was produced by Honda under the Acura brand. It is known for its sporty performance and was popular among car enthusiasts, especially in the 1980s and 1990s.","simplifiedExplanation":"The Acura Integra is a small car made by Honda that many people liked for its fun driving experience. It was especially popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s.","imageAttribution":"SmackJam (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":1911.8,"endTime":1918.1,"type":"term","title":"upholstery","url":"/glossary/upholstery","quote":"I unlocked my car door and I opened it up and my car grew a whole new upholstery job while I was going","canonicalId":"term:upholstery","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-4o-mini","data":{"explanation":"Upholstery refers to the materials used to cover the seats and interior surfaces of a vehicle. It can include fabric, leather, or vinyl, and can significantly affect the comfort and aesthetics of the car's interior.","simplifiedExplanation":"Upholstery is the fabric or material that covers the seats and inside parts of a car. It helps make the car look nice and comfortable to sit in."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"NPR","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/2613-plague-proofing-your-car/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}