DiscoverThe Best of Car Talk#2448: The Costanza Method
#2448: The Costanza Method

#2448: The Costanza Method

Update: 2024-06-152
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Click and Clack, the Tap with Brothers, start the show by suggesting automotive Olympic events, like the electric window race and the max AC cool down. They then read a letter from a listener about bank robberies, highlighting the FBI's findings that most modern-day bank robberies are unsophisticated and unprofessional. The brothers then take calls from listeners, including Ted from Staten Island who is experiencing brake problems and Cheryl from North Liberty, Iowa, whose headliner is falling down. They offer advice and solutions to both callers, with Click and Clack's signature humor and lateral thinking. The show ends with a discussion about the controversial issue of whether safer cars encourage people to drive less safely, with Click and Clack offering their perspectives on the topic.

Outlines

00:00:00
Automotive Olympic Events

This Chapter discusses the idea of adding automotive events to the Summer Olympics, with Click and Clack suggesting events like the electric window race and the max AC cool down. They believe these events would be more objective and less prone to political skullduggery than subjective events like the prettiest car.

00:00:40
Bank Robbery Advice

This Chapter features a letter from a listener about bank robberies. Click and Clack read an article from the 1987 edition of the Old Thomas Almanac titled "How Not to Rob a Bank" by Tim Clark, which provides humorous advice to aspiring bank robbers, including tips on not signing demand notes and choosing the right bank.

00:06:25
Car Repair Problems

This Chapter features calls from listeners with car repair problems. Ted from Staten Island is experiencing brake problems, and Click and Clack diagnose the issue as stuck caliper slides. Cheryl from North Liberty, Iowa, has a headliner falling down, and Click and Clack suggest a variety of solutions, including ripping it out, using a broom to hold it up, or replacing it with a rug.

00:22:36
Controversial Issue: Safer Cars and Driving Safety

This Chapter discusses a letter from a listener who criticizes the idea of buying a safe car for a bad driver. The listener argues that safer cars only encourage people to drive less safely, as they feel protected from the consequences of their actions. Click and Clack discuss the controversial issue, offering their perspectives on the relationship between car safety and driving behavior.

Keywords

Click and Clack


Click and Clack, also known as the Tap with Brothers, are the hosts of the popular car talk radio show and podcast, Car Talk. They are known for their humorous and informative approach to car repair and automotive topics, often using puns and lateral thinking to solve problems.

Car Talk


Car Talk is a long-running radio show and podcast hosted by Click and Clack, the Tap with Brothers. The show features humorous and informative discussions about car repair, automotive topics, and listener calls. Car Talk is known for its unique blend of humor, technical expertise, and relatable advice.

Automotive Olympic Events


This refers to the idea of adding automotive events to the Summer Olympics, as suggested by Click and Clack. They propose events like the electric window race and the max AC cool down, which they believe would be more objective and less prone to political skullduggery than subjective events like the prettiest car.

Bank Robbery Advice


This refers to the humorous advice given to aspiring bank robbers in an article from the 1987 edition of the Old Thomas Almanac titled "How Not to Rob a Bank" by Tim Clark. The article highlights the FBI's findings that most modern-day bank robberies are unsophisticated and unprofessional, and offers tips on how to avoid getting caught.

Headliner


The headliner is the fabric lining that covers the roof of a car's interior. In this episode, a listener calls in with a problem of a headliner falling down, and Click and Clack offer various solutions, including ripping it out, using a broom to hold it up, or replacing it with a rug.

Motor Mount


A motor mount is a rubber or metal component that connects the engine to the car's frame. It helps to isolate the engine from vibrations and noise. In this episode, a listener calls in with a problem of a broken motor mount, which is causing a clonking noise when the car is parked on an incline.

Volvo


Volvo is a Swedish car manufacturer known for its focus on safety. In this episode, a listener writes in about the controversial issue of whether safer cars encourage people to drive less safely, using Volvo as an example. The listener argues that drivers of safe cars may feel more protected and therefore drive more recklessly.

Safe Cars


This refers to cars that are designed with safety features to protect occupants in the event of a crash. The episode discusses the controversial issue of whether safer cars encourage people to drive less safely, as drivers may feel more protected from the consequences of their actions.

Driving Safety


This refers to the practice of driving in a way that minimizes the risk of accidents and injuries. The episode discusses the controversial issue of whether safer cars encourage people to drive less safely, and explores the relationship between car safety and driving behavior.

Q&A

  • What are some automotive Olympic events that Click and Clack suggest?

    Click and Clack suggest events like the electric window race, where cars compete to see who can roll their windows down and up the fastest, and the max AC cool down, where cars are left in the sun and then the AC is turned on to see which interior reaches 60 degrees first.

  • What advice does Tim Clark give to aspiring bank robbers in his article "How Not to Rob a Bank"?

    Tim Clark advises bank robbers to avoid signing demand notes, choose a bank that is still in business, and not be too familiar with the bank, as one robber ran into his mother while making his getaway.

  • What is the problem with Ted's car brakes?

    Ted's car brakes are not working properly because the caliper slides are stuck or seized. This is causing the brake pedal to feel soft and the brakes to not engage properly until the pedal is pumped.

  • What are some solutions that Click and Clack suggest for Cheryl's headliner falling down?

    Click and Clack suggest a variety of solutions, including ripping it out, using a broom to hold it up, replacing it with a rug, or even fashioning a new headliner out of fabric.

  • What is the controversial issue discussed in the episode?

    The controversial issue is whether safer cars encourage people to drive less safely. A listener writes in arguing that drivers of safe cars may feel more protected and therefore drive more recklessly.

  • What is Click and Clack's perspective on the controversial issue?

    Click and Clack acknowledge the controversial nature of the issue but ultimately believe that safer cars are still important for protecting drivers and passengers. They also suggest that drivers should be responsible regardless of the safety features of their car.

Show Notes

Click and Clack pride themselves on their subtle communications skills. But every once in a while you have to make your point any way you can. To whit, Ray employs 'The Costanza Method'(Yell at everybody) on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.
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#2448: The Costanza Method

#2448: The Costanza Method