{"version":"1.0.0","episode":{"title":"OTOSOT 95","url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/otosot-95","audioUrl":"https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/5e9031b840f99ffd144483ab/e/69c307b5f47632ce1082c12e/media.mp3","description":"Jonny and Richard answer listeners’ questions about being cruel to cars out of spite, strange gauges and the worst special edition options, plus a Belgian listener explains what the name of this spin-off sounds like in Flemish. For early, ad-free episodes and extra content go to patreon.com/smithandsniff To buy merch and tickets to live shows go to smithandsniff.com To get 10 percent off any order of Duramat garage flooring got to duramat.co.uk and use discount code SSG10 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information."},"annotations":[{"startTime":52.3,"endTime":59.5,"type":"concept","title":"petrol or volt driven community","url":"/glossary/petrol-or-volt-driven-community","quote":"As this is a matter of utmost importance for the petrol or volt driven community, I will grace it with my infinite wisdom.","canonicalId":"concept:petrol-or-volt-driven-community","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The phrase “petrol or volt driven community” is a playful way to split car enthusiasts into those who drive internal-combustion cars (“petrol”) versus electric vehicles (“volt”). It’s shorthand for the two major powertrain camps people argue about online and at meets.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re talking about two kinds of car fans: people who like gas cars and people who like electric cars. “Volt” is a hint toward EVs."}},{"startTime":190.22,"endTime":195.46,"type":"car","title":"Honda Civic","url":"/cars/honda/civic","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/2022_Honda_Civic_LX_Sedan%2C_front_right%2C_11-02-2022.jpg","quote":"... passenger side of my pride and joy.  An EK Honda Civic brackets, the one point four illusion model.  I a...","canonicalId":"car:honda:civic","priority":0.5,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"imageAttribution":"MercurySable99 (CC BY-SA 4.0)"}},{"startTime":337.5,"endTime":351.4,"type":"concept","title":"body shop","url":"/glossary/body-shop","quote":"You take it to a body shop of your choice and we'll do it. So I found a body shop in Cheshire...","canonicalId":"concept:body-shop","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A body shop is a repair facility that handles collision and cosmetic repairs like panel work and paint matching. The speaker’s point is that the insurer lets them choose a shop, but the process still takes time and can be frustrating.","simplifiedExplanation":"A body shop is where cars go to get dents, scratches, and paint damage fixed. It’s the place you’d take the car after the strap damage."}},{"startTime":439.5,"endTime":456.8,"type":"concept","title":"duck down below the dashboard so it looks like there's no one driving","url":"/glossary/duck-down-below-the-dashboard-so-it-looks-like-there-s-no-one-driving","quote":"But then can you just duck down below the dashboard so it looks like there's no one driving? ... Can you just duck down behind the dash whilst going down a hill with the car turned off?","canonicalId":"concept:duck-down-below-the-dashboard-so-it-looks-like-there-s-no-one-driving","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.86,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This is a visibility-and-safety tradeoff stunt: hiding the driver’s head from the camera to sell the illusion that nobody is driving. The transcript later points out the danger because the driver can’t see where the car is going.","simplifiedExplanation":"They wanted the camera to not show the driver, so it would look like the car is driving itself. But if you hide where you can’t see, it becomes really dangerous."}},{"startTime":449.8,"endTime":451.7,"type":"concept","title":"risk assessment","url":"/glossary/risk-assessment","quote":"The risk assessment would go, I'm sorry, what?","canonicalId":"concept:risk-assessment","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A risk assessment is a formal evaluation of hazards and how to reduce them before an activity happens. In stunt/filming contexts, it typically covers things like vehicle control, visibility, and emergency planning.","simplifiedExplanation":"A risk assessment is a safety check where you think through what could go wrong and how to make it safer. For stunts, it’s usually required before anyone does the risky part."}},{"startTime":482.3,"endTime":488.1,"type":"concept","title":"concussion","url":"/glossary/concussion","quote":"So I had to take him to hospital and get him checked out because we were worried he'd got a concussion or something. And then I took him home to his house in Cardiff","canonicalId":"concept:concussion","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head, often from impact or sudden deceleration. In car crashes, symptoms can appear immediately or later, which is why getting checked out is emphasized.","simplifiedExplanation":"A concussion is a brain injury from a hit to the head. Even if someone seems okay, doctors often check them because symptoms can show up later."}},{"startTime":512.6,"endTime":519.7,"type":"term","title":"seatbelt","url":"/glossary/seatbelt","quote":"It wasn't a high speed impact, but it was enough that, you know, when you're not wearing a seatbelt and you're not expecting to hit a tree. Well, you're already down in the dash already.","canonicalId":"term:seatbelt","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A seatbelt is a restraint system that helps keep occupants positioned during a crash, reducing the chance of striking the dashboard or being thrown forward. The speaker’s point is that not wearing one increases injury risk in impacts that aren’t necessarily high-speed.","simplifiedExplanation":"A seatbelt helps hold you in place during a crash. Without it, you can slam into the dashboard or move forward much more easily."}},{"startTime":795.4,"endTime":827.2,"type":"company","title":"Duramat","url":"/glossary/duramat","quote":"Don't worry though, it's easy to get your garage set for summer with Duramat garage flooring. Their interlocking floor tiles are incredibly easy to fit yourself and they smarten up your garage at treat, while also providing a nicer surface on which to work, or just to sit admiring your car.","canonicalId":"company:duramat","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Duramat is a brand of garage flooring, specifically interlocking floor tiles meant to improve the look and feel of a garage floor. In this ad, they’re positioned as an easy DIY upgrade for summer.","simplifiedExplanation":"Duramat makes garage floor tiles. They’re designed to be easy to install yourself and make the garage floor look nicer and feel better to work on."}},{"startTime":800.2,"endTime":803.4,"type":"part","title":"interlocking floor tiles","url":"/glossary/interlocking-floor-tiles","quote":"Their interlocking floor tiles are incredibly easy to fit yourself and they smarten up your garage at treat, while also providing a nicer surface on which to work, or just to sit admiring your car.","canonicalId":"part:interlocking-floor-tiles","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Interlocking floor tiles are modular garage flooring panels that connect together without needing a full adhesive or permanent installation. They’re popular because they’re relatively quick to install and can be replaced if a section gets damaged.","simplifiedExplanation":"Interlocking tiles are garage floor pieces that snap or lock together. They’re usually easier to put down than a permanent coating, and you can swap out damaged sections."}},{"startTime":890.8,"endTime":894.0,"type":"term","title":"battery voltage","url":"/glossary/battery-voltage","quote":"370Z would usually tell me at all times what my battery voltage was in a prime location on the center of the dashboard. It would also allow me to switch to a digital MPG readout","canonicalId":"term:battery-voltage","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Battery voltage is the electrical system’s measured voltage, which can indicate the health of the battery and charging system. Showing it on the dashboard helps drivers spot issues like a weak battery or alternator problems before they become stranded.","simplifiedExplanation":"Battery voltage is basically how much electrical power your car’s battery system is producing. If it’s too low, it can be an early sign the battery or charging system isn’t working right."}},{"startTime":896.3,"endTime":900.1,"type":"term","title":"digital MPG readout","url":"/glossary/digital-mpg-readout","quote":"It would also allow me to switch to a digital MPG readout that went all the way up to a maximum of 60, which I think a 370Z would only achieve if it was thrown off a high bridge.","canonicalId":"term:digital-mpg-readout","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.92,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"MPG (miles per gallon) is a fuel-economy metric, and a digital MPG readout shows it numerically in real time. This is useful because it lets drivers see how driving style and conditions affect efficiency moment-to-moment.","simplifiedExplanation":"MPG tells you how efficiently the car uses fuel. A digital MPG readout shows that number on the screen so you can see whether you’re driving efficiently."}},{"startTime":1020.2,"endTime":1035.3,"type":"concept","title":"green light to give it a good thrashing, but not before","url":"/glossary/green-light-to-give-it-a-good-thrashing-but-not-before","quote":"You could symbolize oil temperature in such a way that it sort of gives you the green light to give it a good thrashing, but not before.","canonicalId":"concept:green-light-to-give-it-a-good-thrashing-but-not-before","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This is the concept of heat-management driving: using oil temperature as a cue for when it’s safe to apply higher engine load. The goal is to avoid “thrashing” a cold engine, since cold oil provides less effective lubrication and can increase wear."}},{"startTime":1040.8,"endTime":1043.8,"type":"term","title":"water temp gauge","url":"/glossary/water-temp-gauge","quote":"I remember the original Yaris, where it didn't have a water temp gauge, which I would rather still have, but instead it just had a blue temperature icon which went out when the water was up to temp.","canonicalId":"term:water-temp-gauge","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A water temperature gauge (engine coolant temperature gauge) shows how hot the engine coolant is. It helps drivers monitor overheating risk and can indicate when the engine is still warming up.","simplifiedExplanation":"That “water temp gauge” is basically a temperature meter for the engine’s coolant. It helps you see if the engine is running too hot or still warming up."}},{"startTime":1090.7,"endTime":1097.02,"type":"concept","title":"torque split","url":"/glossary/torque-split","quote":"those ones that, and this is not exclusively in Japanese cars, but those ones that show you the torque split on a four-wheel drive car.","canonicalId":"concept:torque-split","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Torque split is how a four-wheel-drive system divides engine torque between the front and rear axles (or between left/right as well, depending on the system). The speaker mentions displays that show this information to the driver, which can make the drivetrain feel more “transparent” and technical.","simplifiedExplanation":"Torque split is how an all-wheel-drive system decides how much power goes to each axle. Some cars even show you that information on the dashboard so you can see what the system is doing."}},{"startTime":1125.0,"endTime":1127.4,"type":"term","title":"rev counter","url":"/glossary/rev-counter","quote":"[1123.4s]  very soon, the boost gauge is LEDs in the rev counter.\n[1127.4s]  It's like you're not looking down.\n[1128.6s]  I mean, you might glance at the rev counter","canonicalId":"term:rev-counter","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A rev counter (tachometer) shows engine speed in RPM, helping the driver choose when to shift. Here it’s relevant because the speaker says the boost indication is integrated into the rev counter, so it affects how you monitor the car while driving."}},{"startTime":1183.2,"endTime":1187.7,"type":"term","title":"oil light","url":"/glossary/oil-light","quote":"So like a racing car, if you've been in a racing car which has a shift light and an oil light, and all the big lights which you need to keep an eye on,","canonicalId":"term:oil-light","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"An oil light is a warning indicator for engine oil pressure or oil system status. Because low oil pressure can quickly damage an engine, it’s treated as critical information—often placed where the driver can notice it immediately.","simplifiedExplanation":"The oil light warns you about the engine’s oil pressure or oil condition. If it comes on, it usually means you should stop and check, because the engine needs oil to stay healthy."}},{"startTime":1183.2,"endTime":1187.7,"type":"term","title":"shift light","url":"/glossary/shift-light","quote":"So like a racing car, if you've been in a racing car which has a shift light and an oil light, and all the big lights which you need to keep an eye on,","canonicalId":"term:shift-light","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A shift light is a dashboard indicator that tells the driver when to change gears, usually based on RPM. It’s common in performance and racing applications because it helps keep the engine in its optimal power band.","simplifiedExplanation":"A shift light is a warning light that tells you when to shift gears. It’s used to help you hit the best engine RPM for performance."}},{"startTime":1234.9,"endTime":1276.2,"type":"brand","title":"GM","url":"/glossary/gm","quote":"And GM had some internal rules about visibility of stop lights if you were first on the front of the queue.","canonicalId":"brand:gm","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"GM (General Motors) is mentioned as having internal design rules aimed at ensuring drivers can see overhead stop lights. The segment uses GM’s rulemaking as the contrast to Bob Lutz’s pushback in favor of styling and overall driver appeal.","simplifiedExplanation":"GM is the car company being talked about. They had internal guidelines about how well drivers can see traffic lights from certain positions."}},{"startTime":1416.0,"endTime":1429.9,"type":"term","title":"FCD","url":"/glossary/fcd","quote":"is the thing on my Honda Insight, [1417.8s] is the largest button on the dash, which is FCD. [1423.1s] And it was a button that was about the size of a 50 pence piece. [1426.8s] For ages, it's like, what does FCD mean? [1429.9s] And it's just fuel consumption display when you press it.","canonicalId":"term:fcd","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"FCD stands for Fuel Consumption Display. It’s a function that shows how much fuel the car is using, typically updating as you drive so you can adjust driving style.","simplifiedExplanation":"FCD means Fuel Consumption Display. It’s basically a screen or setting that tells you how much fuel you’re using right now."}},{"startTime":1440.1,"endTime":1447.5,"type":"concept","title":"hypermiling","url":"/glossary/hypermiling","quote":"but I guess because it was a hypermiling car, they made sure it was prominent. And you press it and it just does the combined MPG.","canonicalId":"concept:hypermiling","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Hypermiling is a driving style focused on maximizing fuel economy—often by minimizing acceleration, using steady speeds, and carefully managing engine load. The podcast is referencing a car interface designed around showing fuel-economy metrics prominently.","simplifiedExplanation":"Hypermiling is when you drive in a way that tries to get the most miles out of each tank of gas. It often means gentle acceleration and watching fuel-economy numbers closely."}},{"startTime":1480.5,"endTime":1486.0,"type":"concept","title":"Saab Night Mode","url":"/glossary/saab-night-mode","quote":"A bit like Saab Night Mode, which you've talked about loads before, because Saab's Night Mode is just great. I'll never find it now, but I'm sure we had a message from a listener who pointed out that Night Mode was available in, I think, the Alpha 159.","canonicalId":"concept:saab-night-mode","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"Saab Night Mode is a Saab feature that adjusts the instrument/infotainment lighting for nighttime driving, typically by dimming or changing display brightness and contrast. The hosts treat it as a standout example of thoughtful UI design."}},{"startTime":1536.2,"endTime":1548.8,"type":"concept","title":"Night Panel","url":"/glossary/night-panel","quote":"A little known fact about the 159 is as a result of it being a Saab, it comes equipped with a version of Night Panel, which is activated by a long press on the minus button for the dashboard illumination.","canonicalId":"concept:night-panel","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"“Night Panel” is a cabin feature that dims or turns off certain instrument and dashboard lighting to reduce glare at night. In this episode, it’s described as being activated via a long press on the minus button for dashboard illumination, making it a hidden/less-obvious convenience.","simplifiedExplanation":"Night Panel is a setting that makes the dashboard lights dimmer at night. It helps you see the road better without bright lights in your eyes."}},{"startTime":1540.5,"endTime":1546.9,"type":"term","title":"long press on the minus button","url":"/glossary/long-press-on-the-minus-button","quote":"it comes equipped with a version of Night Panel, which is activated by a long press on the minus button for the dashboard illumination.","canonicalId":"term:long-press-on-the-minus-button","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.88,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"This refers to the specific user interaction used to activate the Night Panel function: holding the “minus” button for dashboard illumination. It’s an example of a feature that many owners might never discover because it’s not obvious from normal button presses.","simplifiedExplanation":"They’re talking about a trick: press and hold the “minus” button for the dashboard lights to turn on a night mode. If you don’t try it, you might never know the car can do it."}},{"startTime":1696.0,"endTime":1699.4,"type":"term","title":"iPod Nano dock","url":"/glossary/ipod-nano-dock","quote":"But does come with the only other option,\nan iPod Nano dock.\nOh.","canonicalId":"term:ipod-nano-dock","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"An iPod Nano dock is an in-car mounting/connection accessory that lets you physically dock an iPod and control playback through the vehicle’s audio system. In this context, it’s being discussed as a period-correct “smart accessory” option.","simplifiedExplanation":"It’s a little mount inside the car that lets you plug in and place an iPod so you can play music through the car stereo. It’s basically an old-school way to use an iPod in the car."}},{"startTime":1710.9,"endTime":1714.8,"type":"term","title":"retrofit","url":"/glossary/retrofit","quote":"And when did I have that smart roads to Brabus long term\nbecause I had that retrofitted.\nIt was an official smart accessory with an iPod dock","canonicalId":"term:retrofit","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A retrofit is an aftermarket or later-installed modification added to a car that wasn’t originally equipped from the factory. Here, the speaker says they had the iPod dock retrofitted, meaning it was installed after purchase."}},{"startTime":1802.3,"endTime":1807.0,"type":"term","title":"cassette tape","url":"/glossary/cassette-tape","quote":"[1799.9s]  Austin Rover gave away\n[1802.3s]  a cassette tape of contemporary hit music\n[1807.0s]  to promote these cars.","canonicalId":"term:cassette-tape","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A cassette tape is an analog magnetic tape format used for music playback in older cars. The transcript uses it as a promotional item and also highlights a mismatch: the special editions’ specs didn’t include a tape player.","simplifiedExplanation":"A cassette tape is an old-school way of playing music using a small tape cartridge. In this story, the cars were marketed with tapes in mind, but the cars themselves didn’t actually have a tape player."}},{"startTime":1825.3,"endTime":1833.1,"type":"term","title":"tape player","url":"/glossary/tape-player","quote":"[1825.3s]  And then they realized that the spec\n[1828.9s]  they'd already decided on for the Red Hot and Jet Black\n[1831.3s]  didn't include a tape player.\n[1833.1s]  No way.","canonicalId":"term:tape-player","priority":0.9,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A tape player is the in-car head unit that plays cassette tapes. The transcript notes that the already-decided specs for the “Red Hot” and “Jet Black” editions didn’t include one, creating a potential embarrassment if buyers received tapes they couldn’t play.","simplifiedExplanation":"A tape player is the car’s stereo that can play cassette tapes. The problem described is that the special cars were being promoted with tapes, but the cars didn’t have the hardware to play them."}},{"startTime":1844.3,"endTime":1845.5,"type":"brand","title":"Sony Walkman","url":"/glossary/sony-walkman","quote":"Sony Walkman. Oh my gosh. Which was basically a quick fix.","canonicalId":"brand:sony-walkman","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.95,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"The Sony Walkman is a portable cassette music player that became iconic in the 1980s and 1990s. In this segment, it’s referenced as a workaround for a car that didn’t have a cassette deck—so the promo cassette could still be played."}},{"startTime":1872.3,"endTime":1874.4,"type":"concept","title":"radio cassette player","url":"/glossary/radio-cassette-player","quote":"Also, I don't know why they didn't just go off, screw it, we'll just make a radio cassette player standard in the car. Maybe that would have cost more than just giving away a Walkman or something.","canonicalId":"concept:radio-cassette-player","priority":0.5,"confidence":0.9,"source":"hybrid-fuzzy+gpt-5.4-nano","data":{"explanation":"A “radio cassette player” is a factory car infotainment unit that combines AM/FM radio with a cassette deck. The speaker is questioning why the car didn’t include this as standard when the marketing materials were clearly cassette-based.","simplifiedExplanation":"It’s a car stereo that can play radio stations and also play cassette tapes. The point is: if the car doesn’t have one, the cassette promo doesn’t really help."}}],"speakers":[{"id":"s1","name":"Jonny Smith","role":"host"},{"id":"s2","name":"Richard Porter","role":"host"}],"transcripts":[{"url":"http://getcarcurious.com/episodes/otosot-95/transcript.vtt","type":"text/vtt"}]}