#2618: Who, What or How but Never All Three
About this episode
The hosts dive into humorous and relatable car stories, including a listener's debate about whether a car 'feels' the windshield factor in cold weather, and another's issue with a broken CV joint on a Saab 900 turbo. They explore quirky car designs, like the Saab's backwards engine, and discuss the challenges of dealing with mechanics and dealerships. The episode blends practical car advice with witty banter and listener calls, highlighting the quirks of car ownership and maintenance.
Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle states that position and momentum cannot simultaneously be known. Click and Clack’s uncertainty principle is that they may be able to figure out ‘Why’ or ‘What’ and sometimes ‘How’ your car has broken down, but never all three at once(because that’s too much work). Lots of uncertainty on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.
To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel
""I have a 1979 rabbit diesel. Because of these cold mornings that we have in New Hampshire, I'm forced to plug my car in.""
The Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel is a small car from 1979 that uses diesel fuel, which helps it use less gas and go farther. It's a popular older car that some people still drive today.
The Volkswagen Rabbit Diesel is a compact car produced by Volkswagen, known for its diesel engine variant which offers better fuel economy. The 1979 model is part of the first generation Rabbit, popular in the U.S. for its practicality and efficiency.
plugging in a car
""Because of these cold mornings that we have in New Hampshire, I'm forced to plug my car in. So, it's easier to start in the morning...""
Plugging in a car means you connect it to electricity to help it start better when it's very cold outside.
Plugging in a car refers to connecting it to an external power source, often to use an engine block heater or battery warmer to help the engine start more easily in cold weather.
Volkswagen
"VWs, they don't have feelings because they're made in Germany."
Volkswagen is a big car company from Germany that makes many different types of cars.
Volkswagen is a major German automotive manufacturer known for producing a wide range of vehicles from economy cars to luxury models.
Alfa Romeo
"Fiat's, Alfa Romeo's, stuff like that."
Alfa Romeo is a car company from Italy that makes sporty and good-looking cars.
Alfa Romeo is an Italian car manufacturer known for sporty and stylish vehicles with a focus on driving dynamics and design.
Saab 900 Turbo
"Well, I have an 84 sob 900 turbo. And recently it's left axle just broke."
The Saab 900 Turbo is a car from the 1980s that has a special engine part called a turbocharger to make it go faster. It's a unique and older model that some people like to keep and drive.
The Saab 900 Turbo is a turbocharged variant of the Saab 900, a compact executive car produced by Saab. The 1984 model year is part of the classic first-generation Saab 900, known for its distinctive design and turbocharged engine which was advanced for its time.
Saab 900
"In fact, there was an 84 sob 900. And he's looking at the thing. And of course you may not realize it, but the engine in this vehicle is in backwards."
The Saab 900 is a car made by a Swedish company called Saab. The 1984 version has its engine placed in a way that is different from most cars, which can make working on it a bit unusual.
The Saab 900 is a compact executive car produced by the Swedish manufacturer Saab. The 1984 model is part of the classic first generation, known for its unique design and front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout with the engine mounted longitudinally but reversed compared to typical cars.
air filter
""It is interesting. Air filter. And it took me, you know, probably about an hour and a half just to find it.""
The air filter is like a screen that cleans the air before it goes into the car's engine, so the engine stays healthy and runs well.
An air filter is a component in a car's intake system that cleans the air entering the engine, preventing dirt and debris from causing damage or reducing performance.
CV joint
""But anyway, that's the CV joint broke. The axle fell out into the street. You stopped dead, of course.""
The CV joint is a part that helps the wheels turn and move up and down without breaking. It makes sure the car can drive smoothly even when you turn the steering wheel.
A CV joint (constant velocity joint) is a flexible coupling in a car's axle that allows power to be transmitted smoothly while accommodating steering and suspension movement. It's essential for front-wheel drive and many all-wheel drive vehicles.
motor mount
"I think you may have even something as simple as a broken motor mount or maybe somehow the shift linkage got disturbed. Oh, I see. Yeah. And my vote is for a broken motor mount."
A motor mount holds the engine in place and stops it from shaking too much. If it breaks, the engine can move around and cause problems.
A motor mount is a component that secures the engine to the vehicle's frame and helps absorb vibrations and shocks. If broken, it can cause misalignment and unusual vibrations affecting engine and transmission performance.
shift linkage
"I think you may have even something as simple as a broken motor mount or maybe somehow the shift linkage got disturbed."
Shift linkage is the part that connects the gear stick to the car's transmission so you can change gears. If it gets moved or broken, the car might not shift properly.
Shift linkage refers to the mechanical or electronic components that connect the gear shifter to the transmission, enabling gear changes. If disturbed or misaligned, it can cause shifting problems.
automatic transmission
"the truck had an automatic transmission."
An automatic transmission is a system in a car that changes gears by itself so the driver doesn't have to do it manually. This makes driving easier, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
An automatic transmission is a type of vehicle transmission that automatically changes gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to manually shift gears. It is common in many trucks and passenger vehicles for ease of use.
ignition switch
"Because it's either, in this case, the neutral safety switch or the ignition switch itself."
This is the part you turn or press to start your car, which powers up everything needed to get the engine running.
The ignition switch is the electrical switch that activates the vehicle's main electrical systems and starts the engine when turned by the key or push button.
neutral safety switch
"Because it's either, in this case, the neutral safety switch or the ignition switch itself."
This part makes sure your car only starts when it's safe, like when the gear is in neutral or park, so the car doesn't jump forward or backward unexpectedly.
The neutral safety switch is a safety device that prevents the engine from starting unless the transmission is in neutral or park, helping to avoid unintended vehicle movement.
solenoid
"But if I get powered to the solenoid, to that thin wire, that means it's not the ignition switch. ... It's the solenoid. ... Yeah, the solenoid only costs seven bucks. You might as well try one of those first."
It's a small part that helps start your car by connecting the battery to the starter motor when you turn the key.
A solenoid in a car starter system is an electromagnetic switch that engages the starter motor to crank the engine when the ignition key is turned.
Mercury Grand Marquis
""I have a car. My car is a 88 Grand Marquis Mercury. Uh-huh.""
The 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis is a big, comfortable car made by Mercury, which is part of Ford. It was known for being roomy and easy to drive.
The 1988 Mercury Grand Marquis is a full-size luxury sedan produced by Mercury, a division of Ford. Known for its spacious interior and smooth ride, it was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
gas leak
"I'll even come go out the next morning, and I still smell it. It sure sounds like you have a gas leak."
A gas leak means fuel is escaping from your car somewhere it shouldn't, which can smell bad and be dangerous because fuel can catch fire.
A gas leak refers to the unintended escape of fuel vapors or liquid fuel from a vehicle's fuel system, which can cause a strong smell and poses safety risks such as fire hazards.
injectors
"Here's what I suggest. I think the leak is probably coming from one of your injectors. Injectors?"
Injectors are parts that put fuel into the engine so it can run. They make sure the right amount of fuel gets in at the right time.
Fuel injectors are components in a car's engine that spray fuel into the combustion chamber or intake manifold. They precisely control the amount and timing of fuel delivery to optimize engine performance and efficiency.
smog check
"Yeah, they're going to get a smog check, so maybe that would pick up."
A smog check is a test to see if a car is making too much dirty smoke or pollution. Cars need to pass this test to be allowed on the road.
A smog check is an emissions test that measures pollutants coming from a vehicle's exhaust to ensure it meets environmental standards. It helps reduce air pollution by identifying vehicles that emit excessive harmful gases.
unburned hydrocarbons
"They're going to use that smog tester to check for the presence of unburned hydrocarbons."
Unburned hydrocarbons are bits of fuel that didn’t burn inside the engine and come out as pollution. They can make the air dirty and cause smog.
Unburned hydrocarbons are fuel molecules that did not fully combust in the engine and are released as pollutants in the exhaust. Their presence indicates incomplete combustion and contributes to smog and air pollution.
Toyota Corolla
"On the hottest day of the summer, my mother was driving her decrepit 88 Toyota Corolla from New York City to Philadelphia with her significant other."
The Toyota Corolla is a small car that many people use because it is reliable and doesn't use much gas. The 1988 Corolla is an older version from the 1980s.
The Toyota Corolla is a compact car known for its reliability and fuel efficiency. The 1988 model is part of the fourth generation of Corollas, which were popular in the 1980s.
Honda
""What kind of a Honda do you have?""
Honda is a company that makes cars and motorcycles. They are known for making vehicles that last a long time and are easy to take care of.
Honda is a major Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing reliable and efficient cars, motorcycles, and power equipment.
spark plug wire
""It requires opening the hood and pulling off a spark plug wire, but it's not hard to do.""
A spark plug wire is a cable that sends electricity to the spark plug, which helps start the engine by making a small spark.
A spark plug wire carries the electrical current from the ignition system to the spark plug, enabling the spark plug to ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine cylinder.
igniters
""And the same thing happens with igniters.""
Igniters help control when the spark happens in the engine, making sure the engine runs smoothly.
Igniters are electronic components that control the timing and delivery of the spark to the ignition coil or directly to the spark plugs, ensuring proper engine combustion.
Request an Explanation
Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.
Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.
Want to learn more?
Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.
Help improve this episode
See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.