Why California Pays A Weather Tax On Gas And Cars

A “weather tax” is a nickname for the extra costs that come from climate and weather conditions—especially in places like California where heat, drought, and wildfire smoke can affect both daily life and vehicle operation. In an automotive context, it can point to higher fuel usage, more frequent maintenance, and added costs tied to regulations or infrastructure changes driven by environmental conditions.

The episode’s premise is that California effectively adds a “weather tax” on gas and cars, meaning costs are higher due to state policy. In practice, this points to fuel taxes and related charges that increase the total cost of driving.

The hosts are discussing how expensive gasoline is in California, using the price of a “regular tank” as an example. This is a practical way to talk about how state taxes and regulations can raise pump prices compared with other places.

They mention “so much oil off the coast” but say it isn’t being used, which is a reference to how local resources don’t always translate into local fuel production. This can happen due to permitting, environmental restrictions, or economics of refining and distribution.

The Volvo V60 Cross Country is a wagon (estate) variant of the V60 with a more rugged, crossover-like setup. It’s designed to be comfortable and versatile for everyday driving while still feeling like a “proper” wagon to drive.

A station wagon (estate) is a body style that combines passenger-car comfort with extra cargo space via a longer roofline and rear cargo area. Enthusiasts often like them because they’re practical without feeling like a minivan or SUV.

A third row is an additional seat row beyond the usual front and rear seats, enabling more passengers. In wagons and crossovers, third-row packaging is often a tradeoff: it can reduce cargo space and may make access or legroom less ideal than in dedicated 3-row SUVs.

The AMC Hornet Sport About Wagon is a classic American station wagon from AMC (American Motors). It’s being referenced as the host’s earlier “station wagon” experience, and the mention of “bubble top” points to a distinctive roof design.

An electric vehicle (EV) uses an electric motor powered by a battery instead of a gasoline engine. In this segment, the hosts are specifically talking about an “all-electric” Toyota CHR and whether performance-oriented EVs are a real market.

A “hot hatch” is a performance-oriented hatchback—typically a smaller, lighter car tuned for quicker acceleration and more engaging driving dynamics than a normal commuter hatch. The host uses it as a comparison to explain why the Toyota CHR feels more like a sporty compact than a traditional SUV.

EVs often feel roomier because they don’t need a traditional engine bay layout. With fewer drivetrain components in the front, packaging can free up space for passengers and cargo.

Horsepower is a measure of how much power an engine or motor can produce. In EVs, high horsepower (and especially strong torque) can make the car feel quick and responsive even without a traditional rev range.

The transmission tunnel is the raised channel in the floor where the drivetrain components (like the transmission and driveshaft) run. EVs can sometimes reduce or reshape this area, which can improve footwell space and overall cabin comfort.

The Subaru Solterra is Subaru’s all-electric crossover. It’s designed to be roomy and easy to live with, and the discussion highlights how it feels “cool” and fun to drive despite being an EV.

The hosts are talking about a new Subaru EV and how it feels surprisingly quick and fun. They describe mashing the accelerator and getting pushed back in the seat, which is a common way people describe strong electric acceleration. The key point is that the experience doesn’t feel like a typical “slow EV.”

The hosts describe “mashing that accelerator pedal” to emphasize the immediacy of electric torque. In EVs, pressing the pedal typically results in near-instant response compared with many gas cars. That’s why the seat-back “throw you back” description is a common EV impression.

The hosts are describing the dynamic of riding with a professional driver (or being the passenger) during spirited driving. In that setup, the passenger is expected to stay calm and not second-guess the driver, because the goal is controlled performance rather than “showing off.” It’s also why they mention etiquette—things like braking late or taking corners aggressively are coordinated, not improvised.

The discussion implies “late braking,” where braking happens closer to the corner entry to maximize speed through the turn. Late braking is a common performance-driving technique, but it requires skill and coordination because braking too hard or too late can cause instability. The hosts contrast this with passengers who push for dramatic moves without understanding the consequences.

The hosts emphasize role separation: the professional driver handles the driving inputs while the passenger’s job is to observe and stay out of the way. This is especially important during high-performance or track-style driving where small mistakes can compound quickly. Their “you’re the passenger” framing highlights how expectations differ from normal street driving.

MotorTrend TV is a television network focused on automotive content. The hosts reference it to explain how car programming used to be more common and how that has changed over time.

A car chase is a common action-movie or TV trope where vehicles are driven aggressively during a high-stakes pursuit. The host uses it as an example of why cars historically fit well with television storytelling.

The segment argues that automotive TV shows become too expensive to produce, which raises costs and reduces how many channels can afford them. This is a media-economics concept: higher production overhead can shrink distribution and availability.

Using multiple cameras is a production technique that increases coverage and editing flexibility for automotive shows. The host implies that modern production expectations (like more camera angles) raise costs.

Vice Grip Garage is a popular automotive YouTube/Facebook channel focused on rescuing and reviving old, often neglected vehicles. The host’s emphasis is on diagnosing issues and getting these cars running again, which is why it resonates with DIY and “barn find” audiences.

A “barn find” is a vehicle that’s been stored away for a long time—often in a barn, field, or garage—before being discovered and restored. These cars frequently need fuel system, ignition, and basic mechanical recommissioning to get them running safely.

Carbureted cars use a carburetor to mix fuel and air before it goes into the engine. They’re generally simpler than modern fuel-injection systems, but they can be harder to start and tune—especially after sitting for long periods.

“Dividing races into little bitty races” describes how some series break events into stages or segments. That structure changes strategy—teams may push harder in one segment, manage tires/fuel differently, and adjust risk based on stage goals.

“Stock car racing” is a motorsport category where cars start from production models, but the race cars are heavily modified. That’s why it can be hard to recognize the brands—many teams use similar underlying race hardware and rules-driven parts.

A “chassis” is the car’s structural foundation that everything else mounts to. In spec-leaning or rules-heavy racing series, teams may use the same or very similar chassis designs, which reduces performance differences and makes outcomes depend more on setup and driver skill.

The “nose and tail” refer to the front and rear bodywork shapes, which can be changed for branding and aerodynamics. When the speaker says it’s “practically decals,” they’re pointing out that visual differences may be mostly cosmetic while the underlying race car is similar.

“Glowing tires” refers to the visual effect of illuminated tires, typically achieved with embedded lighting elements. The segment notes that the glow concept didn’t last long in practice, implying early versions likely had durability or longevity issues.

Goodyear is a major tire manufacturer known for both mainstream tires and experimental designs. In this segment, the hosts focus on Goodyear’s illuminated/“glowing” tire concept as a custom-car accessory.

A custom car accessory is an aftermarket or specialty add-on designed to change the look or function of a vehicle beyond factory options. Illuminated tires are framed as an example of a niche accessory aimed at car enthusiasts who want standout visual effects.

This segment highlights how tire performance depends heavily on the chemistry of the rubber compound. Even if a material has attractive properties on paper (hardness plus resilience), it can fail if it melts too easily during production or breaks down on the road.

Neothane is described as a synthetic polyurethanerubber compound used to make the experimental tires. The key idea is that it combined the hardness of plastic with the resilience of rubber, but it also had manufacturing and on-road durability drawbacks.

The segment says Goodyear’s “newfang-dangle” tires were referred to as “glass,” implying a special look/finish and likely a different material behavior than standard rubber tires. The later explanation about melting and deterioration explains why the concept didn’t become mainstream.

The hosts clarify that these experimental tires weren’t conventional pneumatic tires filled mostly with air; they were mainly solid with only a little air. That distinction matters because solid or semi-solid designs change ride comfort, heat behavior, and how the tire wears and deteriorates.

A major takeaway is that tire materials must survive both manufacturing conditions and real-world operating temperatures. The hosts explain that the low melting point made the tires susceptible to melting on the road, leading to deterioration and disintegration—so the concept couldn’t scale.

“Lights in the fender wells” describes mounting illumination inside the wheel arch area. That placement helps light the tire and lower body while reducing how much the light is blocked by the wheel itself.

“Lettering different” refers to changing the tire sidewall lettering color/style. The discussion contrasts factory-produced sidewall color/lettering with stick-on or aftermarket approaches, which can differ in durability and appearance.

The “red stripe era” refers to a period when tire sidewalls commonly featured colored stripes (often red) as a styling trend. It’s a recognizable look in classic American car culture and ties into how tire branding and appearance were marketed.

“Raised white letters” are white lettering on a tire sidewall that stands proud of the rubber surface. It’s a visual styling feature that became popular in different waves of tire design and is still used on some modern tires.

“Split bumpers” refers to bumper designs that are divided into separate sections rather than a single continuous piece. On classic muscle cars, split-bumper styling is often associated with certain model years and is a visual cue for enthusiasts.

The transcript describes adding white bulbs in the fender area to create a visible effect while driving. This is essentially an early/DIY version of under-wheel or wheel-arch lighting used for visibility and show.

“Driving destinations” refers to a recurring show segment where they plan or discuss where to drive next. It’s often tied to route planning, scenery, and how a car fits the kind of trip being discussed.

The hosts say they’ll “review today a new car,” which implies a segment focused on evaluating a current model. New-car reviews typically cover how the car drives, key features, and whether it’s worth the money.

The hosts mention upcoming “recalls,” which are manufacturer-initiated (or regulator-mandated) safety fixes for vehicles with defects. Recalls can involve anything from software updates to replacing parts, and they’re important because they’re free to owners.

Hemmings.com is a well-known classic car marketplace and media site where enthusiasts buy and sell vehicles and parts. The hosts reference it as the place where they’ll look at what’s been sold and what’s currently listed.

Gulf Coast Auto Shield is presented as a paint-protection and detailing company. The hosts position it as an alternative to full repainting by helping preserve or restore a car’s finish.

Window tint and windshield protection are aftermarket options aimed at improving comfort, visibility, and durability. Tint can reduce heat and glare, while windshield protection typically refers to coatings/films that help resist contaminants and make cleaning easier.

A dashcam is a camera mounted on the dashboard or windshield that records driving footage. It’s commonly used to document incidents, support insurance claims, and provide evidence after crashes.

Radar detectors are devices that alert drivers to radar signals used by law enforcement for speed enforcement. They’re often paired with dashcams or other safety/monitoring accessories.