Reload EP152 - Calm After the Storm
About this episode
The podcast dives into a rich discussion about VW culture, featuring reflections on a standout interview with Elliot Robert of PVW magazine, highlighting his passion and the magazine's legacy. The hosts share personal stories about their VW experiences, including challenges with maintenance and quirky issues like a stubborn door lock module on a Skoda Superb. They also touch on the evolving landscape of car magazines and the importance of supporting niche publications. The episode blends nostalgia, technical talk, and camaraderie among VW enthusiasts.
air-cooled
"I first my first magazines when I was a teenager were actually air cooled. ... I think air cooled stuff, you have to be in a different mentality for it."
Some older cars, like certain Volkswagens, use air to keep their engines from getting too hot instead of water or other liquids. This makes them a bit different from most modern cars.
Air-cooled refers to an engine cooling method that uses air flowing over the engine to dissipate heat instead of liquid coolant. Volkswagen's classic Beetle and early models used air-cooled engines, which have a distinctive sound and require a specific maintenance approach.
Porsche 911
"... to say, yeah, the spicy beetles. I love whiting 911 owners up about that. But when you drive a beetl..."
The Porsche 911 is a famous fast car that has been made for many years. People like it because it looks cool and drives really well. It’s often talked about when comparing different kinds of cars.
The Porsche 911 is an iconic sports car known for its distinctive design and rear-engine layout. It has a rich history in motorsports and is often celebrated for its driving dynamics and engineering excellence. The mention alongside Beetles highlights a contrast between classic sports cars and more everyday vehicles.
water pump
"And they did time belt, water pump, wishbone service, all this kind of stuff to it."
The water pump is a part that moves liquid inside the engine to keep it cool so it doesn't get too hot. It's important to keep it working well.
The water pump circulates coolant through the engine to maintain optimal operating temperatures and prevent overheating. It is often replaced alongside the timing belt as part of routine maintenance.
intercooler
"So it seems like it's one of the auxiliary water pumps for the intercooler. Apparently that's the thing."
An intercooler is like a radiator for the air going into the engine; it cools the air so the engine can work better.
An intercooler is a component in turbocharged or supercharged engines that cools the compressed air before it enters the engine, improving performance and efficiency.
keyless start
"So it has keyless entry and keyless start."
Keyless start means you can start your car without putting a key in the ignition, usually by pressing a button if the key is inside the car.
Keyless start allows the driver to start the engine without inserting a key, typically by pressing a button when the key fob is detected inside the vehicle.
keyless entry
"So it has keyless entry and keyless start."
Keyless entry means you can open your car door without putting a key in the lock, usually by pressing a button or just having the key nearby.
Keyless entry is a system that allows a driver to unlock a car door without using a traditional key, often via a remote or proximity sensor.
door lock module
""I think it's the door lock module. So I might get around to fixing that at some point. I have been talking about it for two years.""
The door lock module is a small part inside your car door that helps lock and unlock the doors automatically or with a remote.
The door lock module is an electronic component that controls the locking and unlocking of a car's doors, often integrated with the central locking system and sometimes linked to security features.
Mclaren Sennas
"So I guess if I was deadly stuck, I couldn't get out of the car. McLaren, Senna's or something. They kept going on fire in the doors lock or something."
The McLaren Senna is a very fast and special car made for racing on tracks. It’s named after a famous race driver and has lots of cool parts to make it go really fast. Sometimes, very rare problems can happen because it’s so advanced.
The McLaren Senna is a limited-production hypercar designed for extreme track performance and aerodynamic efficiency. Named after the legendary Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna, it features advanced technology and a powerful V8 engine. Reports of door lock fires are rare but highlight the complexity of such high-performance vehicles.
rear subframe
"...which was basically the diff, which was still attached to the rear subframe and the two arms and the drive shafts..."
The rear subframe is like a strong frame at the back of the car that holds important parts like the suspension and helps the car feel stable when driving.
The rear subframe is a structural component of a car that supports the rear suspension and drivetrain components. It helps isolate vibrations and improves chassis rigidity.
differential
"...to lift the final component out, which was basically the diff, which was still attached to the rear subframe and the two arms and the drive shafts..."
The differential helps your car's wheels turn at different speeds when you go around corners, so the car drives smoothly and safely.
The differential is a mechanical component that splits engine torque two ways, allowing each output to spin at a different speed. This is essential for smooth cornering as the wheels on the outside of a turn rotate faster than the inside wheels.
drive shafts
"...which was basically the diff, which was still attached to the rear subframe and the two arms and the drive shafts..."
Drive shafts are parts that carry power from the car's engine to the wheels so the car can move.
Drive shafts are rotating shafts that transmit torque from the differential to the wheels, enabling the car to move.
Haldex
"And then we discovered that there's supposed to be a plug for the Haldex in the boot that you obviously need to unplug to drop the Haldex unit down."
Haldex is a system in some cars that helps send power to all four wheels, so the car can grip the road better, especially in slippery conditions.
Haldex is a type of all-wheel-drive system that uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch to distribute torque between the front and rear axles for improved traction and handling.
boot
"And then we discovered that there's supposed to be a plug for the Haldex in the boot that you obviously need to unplug to drop the Haldex unit down. There's no plug in the boot. ... So when we lifted up the the boot floor, it was all like you could tell it wasn't factory."
The boot is the back part of the car where you can put your bags and things.
The boot is the British term for the trunk of a car, the storage compartment at the rear.
loom
"Oh, it's on up the loom, is it? No, it's supposed to be a plug in the boot."
A loom is a bunch of wires wrapped together inside the car that help carry electricity to different parts.
A loom refers to a bundle of electrical wires grouped together in a vehicle to organize and protect the wiring.
Volkswagen Gtis
"...'s nice. They're a common fault in the mark five GTIs. Oh, really?"
The Volkswagen Golf is a small car that many people like because it’s easy to drive and useful for many things. The GTI version is a sportier type that goes faster but can sometimes have small problems.
The Volkswagen Golf is a popular compact hatchback known for its versatility and driving enjoyment. The Mark 5 GTI, produced from 2004 to 2009, is especially praised for its performance but is also known to have some common faults, such as electrical issues and suspension wear.
F1
""So, news, first bit of news then F1 returns. F1 returns. We had Drive to Survive started last week.""
F1 is a type of very fast car racing where drivers race special cars on tracks all over the world. It's the top level of car racing.
F1 stands for Formula 1, the highest class of international single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the FIA. It features the fastest racing cars and is followed worldwide.
Drive to Survive
""F1 returns. We had Drive to Survive started last week.""
"Drive to Survive" is a TV show that shows what happens behind the scenes in Formula 1 racing, like how the drivers and teams prepare and race.
"Drive to Survive" is a popular Netflix documentary series that follows the Formula 1 season, providing behind-the-scenes access to teams, drivers, and races, helping to grow F1's global fanbase.
Formula One
"And then the new season of Formula One started today. Did you see anything about it? I seen the meme of Toto when he just turned to the camera."
Formula One is a type of car racing where the fastest and most advanced cars race around tracks all over the world to see who is the best driver and team.
Formula One (F1) is the highest class of international single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the FIA. It features the fastest and most technologically advanced race cars competing in a global championship.
new regulations
"So, new regulations this year. Totally different cars, totally different power units, including big changes. Big changes to the half engine, half battery, narrower tires, smaller cars, active arrow, you know, massive, massive changes. So all the time is gone, starting from scratch, basically."
This year, the rules for the Formula One cars changed a lot. The cars have new engines, different tires, and other parts to make the races more exciting and fair.
The 2024 Formula One season introduced new technical regulations that significantly changed car design, including power units, aerodynamics, and tires, aiming to improve racing competitiveness and sustainability.
power units
"Totally different cars, totally different power units, including big changes. Big changes to the half engine, half battery, narrower tires, smaller cars,"
Power units are the engines in Formula One cars that use both gas and electric power to make the cars go really fast.
In Formula One, a power unit refers to the hybrid engine system combining an internal combustion engine with electric motors and energy recovery systems to maximize performance and efficiency.
Formula 1
"to some of my personal top women in F1 because there was a couple I didn't really know much about. There was some that I'd heard of before and I just thought it was interesting and people should should check some of them out and check out some of their stories."
Formula 1 is a type of car racing where the fastest and most advanced cars race against each other around the world. It's the top level of car racing.
Formula 1 (F1) is the highest class of international single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the FIA. It features the fastest and most technologically advanced cars competing in a world championship series.
female F1 driver
"Maria Teresa de Filippis, who was the first ever female F1 driver. OK. She drove and she was an Italian."
A female F1 driver is a woman who drives in Formula 1 races, which mostly have male drivers. Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first woman to do this.
A female F1 driver refers to a woman who has competed as a driver in Formula 1, a historically male-dominated sport. Maria Teresa de Filippis was the first woman to race in F1, breaking gender barriers in motorsport.
Grand Prix
"She entered five Grand Prix in the 50s. Started three and took a 10th place finish at Spa."
A Grand Prix is a big car race where the fastest cars and drivers compete on special tracks. It's like the top league of car racing.
A Grand Prix is a premier motor racing event, typically part of the Formula One World Championship. These races are held on various circuits worldwide and are the highest level of single-seater auto racing.
half points
"So the race was cancelled after just over half race distance. So still counted as a completed race, but they only got half points for it. So she scored one point, but she actually only scored half a point."
Sometimes a race gets stopped early, so drivers get only half the usual points for their finishing place.
In Formula One, if a race is stopped before a certain percentage of the distance is completed, drivers are awarded half the usual points. This rule applies when races are shortened due to accidents or weather.
race engineer
"Laura Mueller made history at the start of 2025. She's the first ever female race engineer in Formula One. She works for the Haas team."
A race engineer helps the driver by setting up the car and giving advice during a race to make the car go faster.
A race engineer in Formula One is responsible for managing the technical and strategic aspects of a driver's car during a race weekend. They communicate with the driver and make decisions on car setup and race strategy.
Red Bull Racing
"And Hannah Schmidt is the head of strategy at Red Bull."
Red Bull Racing is a famous team in Formula One car racing, sponsored by the energy drink company Red Bull.
Red Bull Racing is a Formula One racing team owned by the energy drink company Red Bull. It is one of the most successful teams in recent F1 history, known for winning multiple World Championships.
head of strategy
"And Hannah Schmidt is the head of strategy at Red Bull."
The head of strategy decides the best plans for the race, like when to change tires or make pit stops, to help the team win.
The head of strategy in a Formula One team is responsible for planning race tactics, including pit stops and tire choices, to maximize the team's performance during races.
Force India
"Bernie Collins, who is former strategist from Force India and Aston."
Force India was a team that raced in Formula 1, the top car racing series. They were known for doing well even though they had less money than some other teams.
Force India was a Formula 1 racing team that competed from 2008 to 2018 before being rebranded. It was known for punching above its weight in terms of performance relative to budget.
race strategist
"Bernie Collins, who is former strategist from Force India and Aston. And she now works as a pundit and commentator on the sky coverage."
A race strategist is like a coach who helps the racing team decide the best time to change tires or refuel so the car can go as fast as possible.
A race strategist in motorsports plans and manages race tactics such as pit stops, tire choices, and fuel management to maximize a team's performance during a race.
pundit
"And she now works as a pundit and commentator on the sky coverage. And she's absolutely fabulous. I love Bernie."
A pundit is someone who talks on TV or radio about a sport and explains what's happening to help people understand.
A pundit is an expert who provides commentary and analysis on a subject, often in media coverage of sports or politics.
International Women's Day
""Well, happy International Women's Day. Excellent.""
International Women's Day is a special day to celebrate and recognize the achievements of women all over the world.
International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
Ferrari F40
""So that pink polo, it should come up. And then the last one I have is Mike from stance works is playing on with the F 40 build, which is just incredible.""
The Ferrari F40 is a very fast and famous sports car made by Ferrari in the late 1980s. It's special because it was the last car Enzo Ferrari helped design before he passed away.
The Ferrari F40 is a legendary supercar produced by Ferrari from 1987 to 1992, known for its raw driving experience and iconic design. It was the last Ferrari personally approved by Enzo Ferrari and is highly regarded among enthusiasts.
Audi R8
"...I recommended the guy from America that done the R8 road trip to Alaska and back? Yes, I can't remem..."
The Audi R8 is a very fast and fancy car that is fun to drive and can go long distances comfortably. It has a strong engine and is built to be both quick and easy to handle.
The Audi R8 is a high-performance sports car that shares much of its engineering with Lamborghini models. It is celebrated for its powerful V8 or V10 engines and all-wheel-drive system, making it a popular choice for enthusiasts seeking supercar performance with everyday usability. The mention of a road trip to Alaska highlights its capability and comfort over long distances.
Honda CRX
"Oh, the the CRX, the CRX, beg your pardon."
The Honda CRX is a small sporty car made by Honda. It's light and easy to drive, popular with people who like fun cars.
The Honda CRX is a compact, sporty hatchback produced by Honda primarily in the 1980s and early 1990s, known for its lightweight design and nimble handling.
Toyota Land Cruisery
"Taylor bought a V10 Tuareg and Alex has the Land Cruisery bought in France. So they were prepped for, you ..."
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a big, strong car that can drive on rough roads and in hard places. People use it for adventures because it doesn’t break easily and can go almost anywhere.
The Toyota Land Cruiser is a legendary off-road SUV known for its durability and reliability in tough conditions. It is often chosen for expeditions and overlanding due to its robust build and capable 4WD system. Mentioning a Land Cruiser bought in France suggests a global appreciation for this vehicle’s ruggedness.
Volkswagen Jetta
"... was J. Lerman's Hummer, Seeds, Green, Mark III, Jetta with the pent-up girls. I don't know if that was..."
The Volkswagen Jetta is a small car that many people like because it looks nice and is easy to drive. It’s been around for a long time and is good for everyday use.
The Volkswagen Jetta is a compact sedan known for its European styling and solid build quality. It has been popular worldwide as a practical and affordable car with a comfortable ride. The mention of a Mark III Jetta refers to a specific generation from the early 1990s, which has a dedicated fan base.
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