The episode features the Tappet Brothers engaging in their trademark humorous banter, starting with a quirky discussion about measuring 'butts' using unconventional units like 'pink waters' and 'butts' as volume measures. They then take calls from listeners, including a grad student with a broken truck door handle, offering practical advice on DIY repairs. The show also shares an amusing story about a sorbet delivery involving dry ice and its unexpected effects in a car. Throughout, the hosts blend automotive talk with lighthearted storytelling and listener interaction.
Linda is a lovely lady from the land of nice; Minnesota. As lovely as she is, however, Linda has to contend with her three teenagers, one of whom wrecked their minivan. Can Click and Clack convince Linda to put away those Midwest manners long enough to extract a confession from one of the little cretins? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.
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"...s you'll be in. We know what happened to the Mars Voyager thing, I believe that. 104.917 U.K. gallons, 13...."
The Chrysler Voyager is a big car that can carry many people, making it great for families. It has lots of space inside and is easy to use for trips or daily errands. People often talk about it when they need a car that fits everyone comfortably.
The Chrysler Voyager is a minivan designed for family use, offering spacious seating and practical features. It has been popular for its versatility and affordability, often referenced in discussions about reliable family transport or used minivans.
"What's up, Brian? Well, the crux of my problem deals with my 1997 F-250 pickup truck,"
The Ford F-250 is a big pickup truck that can carry heavy loads and tow trailers. The 1997 version is a strong and reliable truck used for work and tough jobs.
The Ford F-250 is a heavy-duty pickup truck known for its towing and hauling capabilities. The 1997 model is part of the ninth generation of Ford Super Duty trucks.
"Well, the crux of my problem deals with my 1997 F-250 pickup truck, and I've got the 7.3-liter turbo diesel in there."
This is a big diesel engine that helps the truck have a lot of power, especially for pulling heavy things. The turbocharger makes the engine stronger by pushing more air inside.
The 7.3-liter turbo diesel is a powerful engine option for the Ford F-250, known for its torque and reliability. It uses a turbocharger to increase engine power by forcing more air into the combustion chamber.
"Now, it has manual locking hubs, which means I have to get out of the truck. You've got to get out of the truck. Lock the front hubs."
These are parts on the front wheels that you have to lock by hand to make the truck go in four-wheel drive. You have to get out and turn them yourself.
Manual locking hubs are a mechanism on the front wheels of some four-wheel-drive trucks that must be engaged by physically turning a dial or lever on the wheel to connect the wheels to the drivetrain.
"At this point, I am absolutely livid, and I slam down the parking brake with my foot and reach for the handle,"
This is a brake you use to keep your truck from moving when it's parked. You can press a pedal or pull a handle to make it work.
The parking brake is a mechanism that keeps a vehicle stationary when parked, usually engaged by a lever or pedal. It often operates on the rear wheels independently of the main braking system.
"literally, with butt power, rip the handle right off the door. Now, I'm inside the truck with no door handle. I have to roll down the window and open the door from the outside."
This is the part you grab to open the truck door. If it breaks, you might have to open the door in a different way.
The door handle is the part of a vehicle door used to open it. If broken, it can prevent opening the door from the outside or inside without alternative methods.
"...he summer, my mother was driving her decrepit 88 Corolla from New York City to Philly with her significant..."
The Toyota Corolla is a small, simple car that lots of people buy because it doesn't break down easily and uses little gas. The 1988 version is an old car that many people still trust to get them where they need to go. It's a good example of a car that just keeps working for a long time.
The Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling compact cars worldwide, known for its reliability and fuel efficiency. The 1988 model mentioned is an older generation that has earned a reputation for durability, often lasting many years with minimal issues. It's commonly discussed as a practical, economical choice for everyday driving.
"You can do it. Yeah, it's a Honda Civic. No, it's a Volvo."
The Honda Civic is a small car that many people like because it doesn't use much gas and usually works well for a long time. People sometimes talk about it when comparing cars that are safe and easy to drive. It's a popular choice for lots of drivers.
The Honda Civic is a compact car renowned for its efficiency, reliability, and sporty variants. It is often referenced in discussions about practical yet fun-to-drive vehicles, sometimes compared to other brands like Volvo for safety or design. Its broad appeal makes it a common point of comparison in automotive conversations.
""It's an S70 GLT. It's a 99. Where I work, I park in a parking deck and I park on the seventh story.","
The Volvo S70 GLT is a type of car made by Volvo in 1999. It's a comfortable and safe car with some extra features and a stronger engine than the basic version.
The Volvo S70 GLT is a 1999 model of Volvo's mid-size luxury sedan, known for its solid build quality, safety features, and comfortable ride. The GLT trim typically includes a more powerful engine and upgraded features compared to base models.
""Yeah, right. It's a helix. You're driving down a screw. Exactly, exactly. And it's pretty tight.""
A helix is like a spiral ramp that goes around and around, like a screw, so cars can go up or down in a small space.
A helix in driving refers to a spiral or corkscrew-shaped ramp or road, often seen in parking garages where the ramp winds around a central axis to change elevation.
""Sometimes I'll put it in a lower gear than drive. That's good. I don't think that's good. Yeah, you should do that. Oh, good. In fact, you should probably be in the lowest gear that you have, depending on the steepness of this ramp.""
A lower gear means the car uses more engine power to slow down instead of just the brakes, which helps when going down steep hills.
Using a lower gear in an automatic or manual transmission helps control the vehicle's speed and engine braking on steep descents, reducing reliance on brakes and preventing overheating.
"I have a question about the fan belt. You see this fan belt, it looks just like the belt you wear around your waist. It's a flat piece of rubber and it's designed to run the fan."
The fan belt is a rubber loop that helps turn the fan and other parts of the car's engine to keep it cool and working.
A fan belt is a rubber belt that drives the engine's cooling fan and sometimes other accessories like the generator. It is essential for maintaining engine temperature and powering components.
"Well, he said, it's a really simple matter of taking the belt off and turning it over because this is a flat belt. It's not a V belt. Turn it inside out and you put it back on."
A flat belt is a flat rubber belt used in some engines to turn parts. It can be flipped over to use the other side and last longer.
A flat belt is a type of belt used in engines that has a flat surface, unlike a V belt which has a V-shaped cross-section. Flat belts can sometimes be reversed to extend their life.
"They come up with a way to extend the life of the belt. To 60,000 to 60,000 kilometers. Yeah, they're making it out of Kevlar. They don't have Kevlar, hadn't been invented yet."
Kevlar is a very strong material used to make belts last longer and not break easily.
Kevlar is a strong synthetic fiber known for its high tensile strength and durability. It is used in automotive belts to extend their lifespan and improve resistance to wear.
"We had the transmission on this voyager rebuilt in about November. Then, two months later in January... All of a sudden, I could hear like really loud noises and it was the transmission again."
The transmission is the part of the car that helps it change speeds and move properly. If it breaks, the car might not drive right, so sometimes it needs to be fixed or rebuilt.
The transmission is a crucial part of a vehicle that transfers power from the engine to the wheels, allowing the car to change gears and control speed. A rebuilt transmission means it has been repaired or overhauled to restore its function.
"...p the van at where my son works. I had taken the bus there, picked it up. I drove it about three mile..."
The Volkswagen Bus is a boxy van that many people remember from the 1960s and 70s. It was popular for carrying lots of people or camping gear and is known for its unique look. People still like it because it reminds them of fun road trips and freedom.
The Volkswagen Bus, also known as the Type 2 or Microbus, is an iconic van from the mid-20th century famous for its distinctive design and cultural significance. It's often discussed for its role in counterculture movements and as a versatile vehicle for travel and camping.
"... they're teenage. Well, I do remember our model, my model, and I don't lie. But my model, when I was a tee..."
The Tesla Model Y is a small SUV that runs only on electricity, so it doesn't need gas. It has lots of cool features and can go far on a single charge. Many people talk about it because it's a new kind of car that helps the environment.
The Tesla Model Y is a compact all-electric SUV that offers impressive range, advanced technology, and strong performance. It's significant as part of Tesla's push to popularize electric vehicles in the mainstream market, often discussed for its innovation and appeal to younger drivers.
The Corvair is an older Chevrolet car that had its engine in the back instead of the front, which was unusual. It was famous but also had some safety problems people talked about.
The Chevrolet Corvair is a compact car produced by Chevrolet from 1960 to 1969, notable for its rear-engine layout and air-cooled flat-six engine. It was controversial due to safety concerns raised in the 1960s.
"1976, I bought a VAT. Oh man, you have got... Oh no, no, no, it was a Chevette."
The Chevette was a small and cheap car made by Chevrolet in the 1970s and 80s, popular because it used less gas.
The Chevrolet Chevette was a subcompact car produced from 1976 to 1987, known for its affordability and simplicity during a time of fuel economy concerns.
"1986, Pontiac 6000 STE. Steve and you are in such trouble."
The Pontiac 6000 STE was a fancy car from the 1980s that had some cool tech features that many cars didn't have back then.
The Pontiac 6000 STE was a mid-size luxury car produced in the 1980s, featuring advanced technology for its time like digital dashboards and fuel injection.
"...nd browse all the The two more recent cars, 1990 Impala, videos at NPR.org slash Tiny Desk Contest. And ..."
The Chevrolet Impala is a big car that can fit a lot of people and is comfortable to ride in. The 1990 version is an older car that some people like because it feels like a classic American car. It's often talked about when people want a roomy, simple car.
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size sedan that has been a staple in American automotive history, known for its spacious interior and smooth ride. The 1990 model is part of a generation appreciated for its classic design and comfort, often discussed in the context of affordable used cars with a traditional American sedan feel.
"I'm so confused. Well, I think we need to know the two most recent cars. and then a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Really? Yes."
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a type of SUV, which means it's a bigger car that can go off-road and carry lots of people or stuff. The 1995 version is an older model that was popular for being tough and good for adventures.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a mid-size SUV known for its off-road capability and rugged design. The 1995 model is part of the first generation, which helped establish the Grand Cherokee as a popular SUV in the 1990s.
"One of the cars in contention is a Mazda Miata or a Z3 or one of the ilk."
The Mazda Miata is a small, sporty car that is fun to drive and easy to handle. Many people like it because it is light and quick around corners.
The Mazda Miata is a lightweight, rear-wheel-drive roadster known for its excellent handling and affordability. It is a popular choice among enthusiasts for a sporty and fun driving experience.
"One of the cars in contention is a Mazda Miata or a Z3 or one of the ilk."
The BMW Z3 is a small sporty car with two seats that is fun to drive and looks stylish.
The BMW Z3 is a compact two-seat sports car produced in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It is known for its balanced handling and classic roadster styling.
"RX 300 or the ML320 Mercedes. Or the X5 maybe or the ML320."
The ML320 is a fancy SUV made by Mercedes that is comfortable and can handle some rough roads.
The Mercedes-Benz ML320 is a luxury midsize SUV from the late 1990s and early 2000s, offering a blend of comfort, performance, and off-road capability.
"but you do have a few more bucks and you're going for the the Lexus. RX 300 or the ML320 Mercedes."
The Lexus RX 300 is a fancy SUV that is comfortable and reliable, good for families or daily driving.
The Lexus RX 300 is a luxury midsize SUV known for its smooth ride, reliability, and comfortable interior. It was popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
"...nd you're going for the the Lexus. RX 300 or the ML320 Mercedes. Or the X5 maybe or the ML320."
The ML-Class is a fancy SUV made by Mercedes-Benz that is comfortable and powerful. It's a popular choice for people who want a nice car that can carry families and drive well. People often compare it to other luxury SUVs to decide which is best.
The Mercedes-Benz ML-Class is a luxury midsize SUV known for combining performance, comfort, and advanced features. The ML320 and similar models are often compared to competitors like the Lexus RX 300 and BMW X5, making it a common choice in the premium SUV segment.
"And that's the Cadillac DTS with night vision because we get to an age where night vision looks very attractive."
The Cadillac DTS is a big, comfortable car that is easy to ride in. Some versions have special night vision cameras to help see better in the dark.
The Cadillac DTS is a full-size luxury sedan known for its spacious interior and smooth ride. Some models feature advanced technology like night vision to enhance safety.
"And that's the Cadillac DTS with night vision because we get to an age where night vision looks very attractive."
Night vision is a special camera in some cars that helps you see things better when it's dark outside, so you can drive safer.
Night vision in cars is a technology that uses infrared cameras to help drivers see better in low-light conditions, improving safety during nighttime driving.
"Been there, done that. The S-Type is a possibility. Did you drive that and did you like it?"
The Jaguar S-Type is a fancy car that looks a bit old-fashioned but is nice to drive. It was made about 20 years ago and is known for being comfortable and stylish. People sometimes talk about it when they want a luxury car that stands out.
The Jaguar S-Type is a mid-size luxury sedan produced in the early 2000s, known for its retro styling and refined driving experience. It's often discussed for its blend of British luxury and performance, though it has a mixed reputation regarding reliability.
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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 Department of Weights and Measures
here at Car Talk Plaza. Oh, I didn't know we had such a... Well, this is a follow-up to a
conversation we had a few months ago. You may remember that our pal Daniel Pinkwater called
and he was discussing, I don't know how to put this delicately, the enormity of his posterior.
That's delicate. And we decided that during that call that the official
unit of button measurement should be a pink water. Yeah. So for instance, Daniel is by definition
one pink water, obviously, and I'd say I'm like 0.6 and you're like what? 0.1. Maybe 0.2.
Maybe 0.2 pink water. Well, this sparked some discussion on the show and on the website as well
and another caller told us that when she was little, her brother used to push her
butt against the piano keys and measure her butt by how many octaves she played.
Ah, I always liked that one. Yeah. Yeah. It could be an octave and a third, an octave and a half.
But now we've received a very serious scientific memo on button measurement from someone named
Carl W. Gable. Yeah, Carl Gable. Go for it, man. He works at the Los Alamos National Laboratory,
so when it comes to weights and measures, he says, at Los Alamos National Laboratory,
we generally use metric units, but every once in a while we need to be quantitative about a
butt load of stuff, like a butt load of rocket fuel, a butt load of antimatter. Yeah, of course.
I thought you might like to know that there is actually an exact unit of volume called
the butt. Really? B-O-T-T. I kid you not. See Webster's Dictionary. I don't use Webster's
Dictionary anymore. No, why? Webster's Dictionary is... It call me something crazy. Okay. It's
absolutely crazy. I'll get to that later. Here it is. But a measure of liquid capacity equal to 126
gallons or, if you prefer, two hogs heads. Yes. In another dictionary, an English butt is two hogs
heads of 54 imperial gallons each or 129.7 U.S. gallons. And also, he gives me some conversions.
I mean, you never know what units you'll be in. We know what happened to the Mars Voyager thing,
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