Episode #215 - Automotive Grudge Match: Olds vs. Mercury

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, referring to the company that originally manufactured a vehicle or its parts. In automotive discussions, it often distinguishes between factory-made components and aftermarket parts.

Mercedes-Benz is a German luxury automotive brand known for high-quality engineering, luxury vehicles, and advanced technology.

Subaru is a Japanese automaker known for its use of all-wheel drive and boxer engines in many of its vehicles, popular among enthusiasts for their performance and reliability.

Mitsubishi is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for producing a range of vehicles including sporty models and SUVs. It has a history of rally racing involvement.

The Oldsmobile Quad 442 is a rare front-wheel-drive performance car from Oldsmobile featuring a dual overhead cam 'Quad Four' engine. It was positioned as a pseudo-luxury sporty coupe with limited production numbers, making it a unique and collectible vehicle.

The Mercury Capri XR2 is a sporty compact car sold by Mercury, notable for being based on a Mazda platform and often equipped with a turbocharged engine. It was marketed in the US as a domestic brand but featured Japanese engineering and powertrains, making it a unique example of badge engineering.

Turbocharging is a method of forced induction that uses a turbine driven by exhaust gases to compress the intake air, increasing engine power output without increasing engine size. It is commonly used to boost performance in smaller engines.

Dual overhead cam (DOHC) refers to an engine design with two camshafts located above the cylinders, allowing for better valve control and higher engine efficiency and performance compared to single cam designs.

A convertible is a car with a roof structure that can be retracted or removed, allowing open-air driving.

Rebadging is the practice where a car manufacturer sells a vehicle made by another company under its own brand name, often with minor cosmetic changes. This is common among automakers to save development costs and expand product offerings.

The Quad 4 engine is a high-revving four-cylinder engine produced by General Motors, known for its power output and distinctive noise. It was used in several compact cars including the Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais International Series.

NVH stands for Noise, Vibration, and Harshness, which are factors that affect the comfort and refinement of a vehicle. High NVH means more engine noise and vibrations are felt inside the cabin.

A domestic car refers to a vehicle manufactured by a company based in the same country where it is sold, often used in the U.S. to mean American-made cars like Ford, Chevrolet, or Dodge.

The Dodge Shadow was a compact car produced by Dodge in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is appreciated by enthusiasts but is generally considered a less refined or less reliable vehicle compared to others in its class.

The 'death note year' refers to the final model year a car manufacturer or brand produced vehicles before discontinuing the brand or lineup.

The Oldsmobile Alero was a compact car produced by Oldsmobile in the late 1990s and early 2000s, often considered the brand's last compact model before discontinuation.

The Lexus CT200h is a compact hybrid hatchback combining a gasoline engine with electric motors for improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions. It is known for its luxury features and hybrid technology.

A timing belt is a crucial engine component that synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft, ensuring the engine's valves open and close at the right times during each cylinder's intake and exhaust strokes.

The radiator is part of the vehicle's cooling system that helps dissipate heat from the engine coolant to keep the engine from overheating.

Coolant is a liquid mixture, usually of water and antifreeze, that circulates through the engine and radiator to absorb and dissipate heat, preventing the engine from overheating or freezing.

A timing light is a diagnostic tool used to check and adjust the ignition timing of an engine, ensuring the spark plug fires at the correct moment for optimal engine performance.

A tune up is routine maintenance on a vehicle's engine, typically involving checking and replacing parts like spark plugs, ignition timing, and filters to ensure the engine runs efficiently.

Ignition timing refers to the precise moment the spark plug fires in the combustion cycle, which affects engine performance and efficiency. Proper ignition timing is essential for smooth running.

Motor mounts are components that secure the engine to the vehicle's frame and absorb vibrations. Worn mounts can cause excessive engine movement and vibration.

The check engine light is a dashboard indicator that alerts the driver to engine or emissions system issues. A light that stays off usually means no detected faults.

A tack, short for tachometer, is an instrument that shows the engine's RPM (revolutions per minute), helping the driver monitor engine speed.