The Best of Car Talk

#2633: Hacker Heaven

Larry’s 14-year-old kid wants the two of them to find an old car to rebuild so kiddo can drive it when he gets his license in a few years. What a great father/son bonding experience, right? You’d think our two hosts -who used to run a DIY repair shop years ago- might be all for it, but maybe not. Find out what Click and Clack think on this episode of the Best of Car TalkSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Apr 25, 2026 36 min 77 annotations

#2632: Brilliant or Crazy

Rebecca’s Honda won’t go into reverse, but that may not be her biggest problem at the moment because Tommy can’t decide if Ray’s answer is clever or just nuts. And since Tommy himself may be one entree short of a combo platter where does that leave the rest of us? It’s a fine line between brilliant and crazy on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Apr 21, 2026 35 min 67 annotations

#2631: The MechanXfiles

The 'Speed of Darkness', a 'laying on of hands' and paranormal activities in the Pentagon parking lot. This episode of the Best of Car Talk is definitely ‘out there’, somewhere.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Apr 18, 2026 34 min 48 annotations

#2630: Private Mag Lee Ozee!

Back in the days of compulsory military service here in the US, there was, for a brief time, a certain ‘Private Magliozzi’ struggling mightily to keep his sanity through army basic training. ‘Drop and give us 20’ while you listen to this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Apr 14, 2026 32 min 30 annotations

#2629: The Babysitter Tells All

Faith from Washington wants to make a trade: car advice in exchange for embarrassing tales from our wayward producer Dougie Berman’s childhood. It’s a deal on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Apr 11, 2026 36 min 33 annotations

#2628: Big Freshman on Campus

Missy’s son is going to be a freshman at Boston University -where Car Talk is produced- and he wants to buy a sweet new ride to improve his social status. But Click and Clack are already having problems finding parking on campus, so he isn’t getting the green light on that idea. Can the boys come up with a non-automotive alternative? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Apr 07, 2026 31 min 31 annotations

#2627: Better to Die in a Fiery Crash

Jose is stuck on the horns of a dilemma -or is he? Whether to risk getting ripped off by a local repair shop or to die in a fiery crash. Click and Clack help him weigh his options on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Apr 04, 2026 33 min 32 annotations

#2626: Rats!

This time, on 'Click and Clack’s Wild Kingdom’, Anna from Illinois encounters a rat in her Honda and we all lose our ever-lovin’ minds. It’s ‘Better Anna than us!’ on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mar 31, 2026 39 min 32 annotations

#2625: The Click and Clack Creed

What to do about the ‘mechanically-challenged’? Click and Clack used to run a do-it-yourself garage back in the day. And after rescuing a few hundred-or-so ill-fated repair attempts by their customers, the brothers developed a few simple truths to guide their flock. ‘Words to repair by’, on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mar 28, 2026 38 min 34 annotations

#2624: How to Know if You Have a Cracked Head

Paula’s pickup truck may have a cracked head. Can two mechanics who definitely have cracked heads help her fix the problem? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mar 24, 2026 36 min 34 annotations

#2623: Virtual Dopeslaps

Jeannie thinks she’s doing right by her Oldsmobile and taking it in for regular service checks. But recently, the garage service manager tells her that she’s hurting the car by not regularly exercising the parking brake. Should Jeannie be exercising her dopeslap technique on the disservice manager instead? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mar 21, 2026 34 min 32 annotations

#2622: Starting from Stupid

Tony has a Saab story for us that involves losing coolant -and, possibly, brain cells, too. The fact that he called Click and Clack should indicate how far gone Tony is already, but find out for yourself on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mar 17, 2026 31 min 30 annotations

#2621: Worst Car of the Millenium

At the end of the last millenium there were plenty of motorheads proclaiming this Ferrari or that Maserati as the ‘Best Car Ever’, but only two guys were willing to figure out which were the worst cars ever made. That’s right, our masters of mediocrity pull no punches on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mar 14, 2026 35 min 29 annotations

#2620: Hubby's Fuelishness

Whitney lives in the New Hampshire mountains with her cheapskate hubby who insists on driving the cars bone dry before refueling them. And while this practice does bring a little extra excitement to a quick drive to town, is it bad for the car? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mar 10, 2026 34 min 30 annotations

#2619: Teens and Cars

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.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mar 07, 2026 37 min 36 annotations

#2618: Who, What or How but Never All Three

Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle states that position and momentum cannot simultaneously be known. Click and Clack’s uncertainty principle is that they may be able to figure out ‘Why’ or ‘What’ and sometimes ‘How’ your car has broken down, but never all three at once(because that’s too much work). Lots of uncertainty on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Mar 03, 2026 37 min 25 annotations

#2617: Definitely Not OK

What’s worse: a screaming clutch, an oil leak, an engine fire or a Tommy Puzzler? You be the judge on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Feb 28, 2026 36 min 34 annotations

#2616: Non-traditional Repair Materials

On past shows we’ve discussed repairs using a variety of ‘improvised’ materials such as underwear waistbands, road signs and extra virgin olive oil. Add to that list the humble and perpetual Pop Tart. Gather ‘round the toaster for this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Feb 24, 2026 37 min 28 annotations

#2615: 'Relaxed Fit' Comes for Cars

Raconteur and friend of the show, Daniel Pinkwater has been on a lifelong quest for the perfect car. His is a quest not motivated by horsepower or design so much as the need to find a vehicle that he can get his ‘substantial’ frame in and out of without the use of lubricants. How effective is WD-40 when used as an antiperspirant? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Feb 21, 2026 37 min 33 annotations

#2614: The Sludgehammer

Bernardo needs to get the crud out of his engine, but he can’t afford an expensive trip to his mechanic. Could a can of miracle goo from the auto parts store possibly be the answer? Enter, ‘The Sludgehammer’ on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Feb 17, 2026 35 min 28 annotations

#2613: Plague-proofing Your Car

Rain is an aptly named woman from Florida who is currently battling at least two biblical plagues attempting to take over her Acura. Since Charlton Heston isn’t available to help, she called Clickus and Clackus the Chariotsmiths instead. Will miracles ensue? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Feb 14, 2026 35 min 20 annotations

#2612: Monotasking

Leave it to a couple of mechanics to make the case for doing only one thing at a time. A defense of ‘Monotasking’ on this Episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Feb 10, 2026 36 min 32 annotations

#2611: Hey, Mr. Spaceman

Back in the day, local baseball hero for the Red Sox, Bill ‘Spaceman’ Lee took some of his bonus money and bought himself an old BMW that he still has and it’s giving him trouble. Can Click and Clack help Bill get the Bimmer started in exchange for tips on how to throw a better curveball? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Feb 07, 2026 36 min 25 annotations

#2610: Runaway Inflation

Pete from Nashville is really worried about inflation. Not the kind that hurts your wallet, but the kind that takes your head off. He’s suffering from ‘lasticophobia’. Is filling up your tires to the point of explosion a reasonable worry? Our overinflated hosts generate some hot air on the topic during this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Feb 03, 2026 37 min 21 annotations

#2609: Rum Runner Jim

Jim is a rum distributor in Florida who’s having trouble with his boat engine. Probably needs to squeeze a few more horsepower out of it in order to evade the Coast Guard! Click and Clack the bootleggers try to help on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jan 31, 2026 37 min 43 annotations