Digest

The episode begins with Click and Clack discussing listener suggestions for new Automotive Olympic events, highlighting the "cigarette lighter, time and distance" and the "two by four toss." They then move on to listener calls, starting with Deb from Germantown, Maryland, who describes a situation where she put her 1981 BMW 528i into park while still moving, causing a ratcheting sound. Click and Clack assure her that the car is likely fine and that the incident was not a major issue. The next caller, Andrew from Seattle, has a 1987 Volvo wagon with a rattling in the front end at low speeds. Click and Clack diagnose the problem as worn control arm bushings, a common issue with Volvos. They advise Andrew to take the car to a Volvo specialist for repair. The episode then features a call from Pat in Manitou Springs, Colorado, who describes a bizarre incident where a ball of fire erupted from her 1993 Suzuki Sidekick's gas tank while she was unscrewing the gas cap. Click and Clack discuss possible causes, including static electricity from low rolling resistance tires, and advise Pat to report the incident to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The episode concludes with a letter from Barry Goldensson of Cabot, Vermont, who wrote to Volvo in 1964 about the philosophical problem of Ulysses' ship, arguing that if a car is repaired with all new parts, it retains its original identity because its essence remains unchanged. Click and Clack find the letter amusing and discuss the philosophical implications of the question.

Outlines

00:00:00

Automotive Olympic Events

This Chapter discusses listener suggestions for new Automotive Olympic events, including the "cigarette lighter, time and distance" and the "two by four toss."

00:04:15

Car Talk Listener Calls

This Chapter features listener calls about car problems, including a BMW that made a ratcheting sound after being put in park and a Volvo with a rattling in the front end.

00:13:46

Gas Tank Fire Mystery

This Chapter features a call from Pat in Manitou Springs, Colorado, who describes a bizarre incident where a ball of fire erupted from her 1993 Suzuki Sidekick's gas tank while she was unscrewing the gas cap. Click and Clack discuss possible causes, including static electricity from low rolling resistance tires, and advise Pat to report the incident to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

00:21:14

Ulysses' Ship and Car Identity

This Chapter features a letter from Barry Goldensson of Cabot, Vermont, who wrote to Volvo in 1964 about the philosophical problem of Ulysses' ship, arguing that if a car is repaired with all new parts, it retains its original identity because its essence remains unchanged. Click and Clack find the letter amusing and discuss the philosophical implications of the question.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the new Automotive Olympic events suggested by Car Talk listeners?

  Listeners suggested events like the "cigarette lighter, time and distance" where participants would see how far they could push the lighter out of the car, and the "two by four toss" where participants would slide two by fours through their car windows and see how far they could launch them.

• What was the problem with Deb's 1981 BMW 528i?

  Deb put her car into park while it was still moving, causing a ratcheting sound. Click and Clack assured her that the car was likely fine and that the incident was not a major issue.

• What was the problem with Andrew's 1987 Volvo wagon?

  Andrew's Volvo had a rattling in the front end at low speeds. Click and Clack diagnosed the problem as worn control arm bushings, a common issue with Volvos.

• What caused the fire to erupt from Pat's Suzuki Sidekick's gas tank?

  Click and Clack discussed possible causes, including static electricity from low rolling resistance tires, and advised Pat to report the incident to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

• What is the philosophical problem of Ulysses' Ship?

  The problem asks whether a ship that has had all of its parts replaced is still the same ship. It explores the difference between continuity of essence and continuity of substance.

• What is the significance of Barry Goldensson's letter to Volvo?

  Barry's letter, written in 1964, humorously argues that a car's identity is unchanged even after all its parts are replaced because its essence remains the same. Click and Clack found the letter amusing and discussed the philosophical implications of the question.

• What is the best way to diagnose a rattling noise in a car?

  Click and Clack recommend getting under the car and banging on various components with a closed fist to try to reproduce the sound. They also suggest checking the exhaust system and drive shaft for loose parts or a bad universal joint.

• What is the Darwin Award?

  The Darwin Award is an informal award given to people who die in a particularly stupid or ironic way. Click and Clack jokingly suggest that Josh, the caller with the rattling truck, might win the Darwin Award for his road testing technique.

• What is the purpose of Car Talk?

  Car Talk is a National Public Radio program that features listener calls about car problems, as well as humorous discussions about cars and car culture. The show aims to provide listeners with information and advice about car maintenance and repair, as well as to entertain them with its unique blend of humor and technical expertise.

• What is the significance of the show's closing credits?

  The closing credits feature a humorous list of the show's staff, with each person's name given a playful or ironic title. This is a recurring feature of the show and is intended to add to its comedic tone.

Show Notes