#2628: Big Freshman on Campus

#2654: Clean Underwear in a Can

Jul 7, 202635 minSummary

In this episode of The Best of Car Talk, hosts Click and Clack tackle the automotive industry and address listener repair concerns. The brothers begin with a humorous critique of General Motors, particularly their decision to discontinue the Oldsmobile brand. They offer their own satirical rebranding suggestions, including the "Bimbomobile" and the "Hondamobile," while poking fun at corporate marketing strategies. As the episode shifts to listener calls, the hosts diagnose various mechanical issues. They consult with a driver hearing strange noises in her Honda Civic, ultimately suggesting a stuck brake caliper. Another caller with a Geo Tracker receives a diagnosis of a failing water pump after describing high-pitched engine sounds. Later, a BMW owner who has been driving with a failing braking system receives urgent advice on how to test their brake booster to avoid further danger. The show also features a visit to the Stump the Chumps segment, where a listener confirms that using disinfectant in the air intake successfully resolved his car’s ventilation odor. The brothers round out the broadcast by presenting a complex mathematical puzzler involving numbered hats, designed to challenge their listeners.

#2653: Mechanic with Benefits

Jul 4, 202638 minSummary

In this episode of The Best of Car Talk, hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi open the show with a humorous look at poorly written high school essays before jumping into a series of listener car troubles. The brothers tackle a range of mechanical mysteries with their trademark wit and practical expertise. The hosts consult with a listener from Tennessee regarding a Lincoln Continental whose rear end unexpectedly raises itself in hot weather, attributing the issue to a glitchy level-ride system. Later, they provide advice to a classic Volkswagen bus owner in California dealing with an elusive squeaking noise, suggesting that the problem may stem from poorly lubricated bearings rather than the suspension components. The show also features a discussion with a Ferrari owner experiencing trouble shifting into reverse, leading the brothers to offer a tiered troubleshooting plan starting with the clutch system before suggesting more invasive repairs. Between the calls, the brothers engage in their usual playful banter and conclude with a riddle from the insect kingdom, maintaining their lighthearted approach to the complexities of automotive maintenance.

#2652: Bozo's Garage

Jun 30, 202636 minSummary

In this episode of The Best of Car Talk, hosts Click and Clack tackle a variety of automotive mysteries while sharing their trademark humor. The brothers begin with a satirical take on public transportation, joking about the social benefits of mass transit before turning their attention to callers. The show features several diagnostic challenges. One listener calls regarding a 1991 Nissan Maxima that produces a strange, frog-like metallic sound when braking, which the hosts identify as a likely warped rotor. Another caller with a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee describes a shuddering sensation during sharp turns after highway driving; the hosts diagnose this as a failing viscous coupling in the all-wheel-drive system. Later, a caller named Mary seeks advice for a 1993 Audi that periodically loses power, a problem the hosts investigate alongside potential transmission or fuel-related theories. Interspersed with the mechanical advice is the answer to the previous week's puzzler, which explored why early pilots intentionally caused engine backfiring to clear ice from carburetors. The episode concludes with a new, lighthearted challenge involving a mob-related misunderstanding and air supply, maintaining the show’s legacy of blending technical insight with sharp, irreverent wit.

#2651: Baddabing! Baddabang!

Jun 27, 202635 minSummary

In this episode of The Best of Car Talk, hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi tackle a wide array of automotive mysteries with their signature humor. The brothers begin the show by discussing a news report about a minor arrest in a D.C. subway station, leading them to joke about their producer’s own history of eating in transit. The mechanical advice segment covers several challenging vehicle issues. A Jeep Cherokee owner is stumped by a clutch that drags, leading the hosts to explain the complexities of hydraulic systems and the difference between master and slave cylinder repairs. Later, a caller from Nashville seeks help for a Toyota Camry that developed screeching brakes after a repair job, prompting the hosts to discuss the nuances of brake pad materials and the importance of factory parts. The brothers also consult on a peculiar military maintenance issue involving Humvees that refuse to start in the Georgia heat unless the fuel injector pump is doused with cold water. Throughout the show, the hosts share their lighthearted wisdom, play the "Stump the Chumps" segment, and present a new aviation-themed puzzle.

#2650: Non Impediti Ratione Cogitationis

Jun 23, 202635 minSummary

In this episode of The Best of Car Talk, the hosts dive into a variety of listener questions, starting with a lighthearted discussion about stress-induced expressions commonly attributed to women. The brothers then shift their focus to automotive troubleshooting, offering advice to a caller with a 1986 Nissan Stanza plagued by recurring ignition issues. They suggest that the distributor cap conduit is breaking down, recommending a replacement from the dealer to ensure better quality. The hosts also assist a listener with a pitted windshield in her Acura, debating the best course of action regarding insurance and repair. Later, they address a mysterious jerking sensation in a Dodge Caravan, advising the owner to investigate potential tire tread separation or suspension issues. In another segment, they tackle a vague "cream of wheat" sensation in a manual transmission, and help a listener diagnose a strange noise in her VW Jetta, which they identify as a timing belt tensioner issue related to a recent repair. Between the technical advice, the brothers challenge listeners with a riddle about a landscaper planting trees and share a humorous story about a couple’s travel mishaps in Slovenia.

#2631: The MechanXfiles

Apr 18, 202634 minSummary

In this episode of The Best of Car Talk, Tom and Ray Magliozzi step away from standard automotive repair to explore the strange and unexplainable side of life on the road. The brothers delve into bizarre listener tales, ranging from the mysterious concept of the speed of darkness to peculiar occurrences that sound like they belong in a science fiction novel. Listeners are treated to humorous segments featuring a laying on of hands and reports of paranormal activity unfolding in the most unlikely of places, including the Pentagon parking lot. As always, the hosts navigate these oddities with their signature wit and infectious laughter, offering a lighthearted escape for anyone who enjoys a good mystery alongside their car advice. It is a delightfully eccentric installment that proves even the most grounded mechanics can find themselves venturing into the unknown.

#2630: Private Mag Lee Ozee!

Apr 14, 202632 minSummary

In this classic episode of The Best of Car Talk, Tom and Ray Magliozzi take a humorous trip down memory lane to recount their personal experiences with compulsory military service. Listeners are treated to a rare and candid glimpse into the hosts' lives long before they became famous car experts, specifically focusing on the challenges they faced during basic training. Through their signature wit and storytelling, the brothers detail the absurdity of their time in uniform and the struggle to maintain their sanity under the pressure of drill instructors. Fans of the show can expect plenty of laughs as the hosts swap stories about their service days, providing a nostalgic look at a transformative period in their youth. It is a lighthearted and entertaining installment that highlights the legendary chemistry and comedic timing that defined their beloved program.

#2629: The Babysitter Tells All

Apr 11, 202636 minSummary

In this classic episode of The Best of Car Talk, hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi navigate a unique negotiation with a listener named Faith from Washington. Faith arrives with a proposition for the brothers: she offers to divulge a series of mortifying and long-kept secrets from the childhood of their wayward producer, Dougie Berman, in exchange for expert mechanical advice. The hosts eagerly accept the challenge, leading to a hilarious exchange that balances their trademark automotive wisdom with lighthearted personal ribbing. Listeners can expect the usual blend of signature belly laughs, practical car troubleshooting, and the eccentric charm that has made the show a staple for years. It is a quintessential outing that highlights the brothers' playful dynamic and their uncanny ability to turn any conversation into a memorable and entertaining experience for their audience.