Digest

This episode of Car Talk features a variety of topics, including car repair advice, humorous anecdotes, and a new puzzler. The show begins with a discussion about the cost of advertising on a digital billboard in Times Square, which leads into a humorous introduction to the show's focus on making economic ideas understandable and fun. The hosts, Click and Clack, then address a caller named Leaf who shares his ritual of cleaning his car before taking it in for service, hoping it will lead to better treatment and lower costs. However, he's disappointed that his ritual hasn't prevented a recurring engine problem. Later, Vicki calls in with a problem with her 1990 Volvo overheating. She's had the thermostat and water pump replaced, but the issue persists. Click and Clack diagnose the problem as a plugged radiator. The episode also features a humorous segment where Click and Clack announce their candidacy for the presidency, outlining their environmental initiative, which includes the creation of a "ZAR" to prosecute environmentally conscious individuals. Finally, Click and Clack present a new puzzler: What is the largest display of a company emblem to have been displayed regularly on a production passenger vehicle? They offer a humorous incentive for remembering the answer: revealing the hiding place of Click's denture cream. Throughout the episode, Click and Clack engage in their signature witty banter, offering humorous advice and insights on a variety of car-related topics.

Outlines

00:00:00

Car Talk: Economic Ideas and Car Problems

The episode begins with a discussion about the cost of advertising on a digital billboard in Times Square. The hosts then introduce the show and its focus on making economic ideas understandable and fun. They also discuss a caller's car cleaning ritual and a caller's overheating Volvo.

00:01:28

Rant About Reading While Driving

Click and Clack discuss the dangers of reading while driving, expressing their frustration and suggesting behavior modification therapy for those who engage in this practice.

00:22:16

Car Talk Presidential Campaign and New Puzzler

Click and Clack announce their candidacy for the presidency, outlining their environmental initiative, which includes the creation of a "ZAR" to prosecute environmentally conscious individuals. They also present a new puzzler: What is the largest display of a company emblem to have been displayed regularly on a production passenger vehicle?

00:32:16

Car Talk Staff Credits

The episode concludes with a humorous list of Car Talk staff credits, featuring a variety of quirky and amusing names.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the cost of advertising on a digital billboard in Times Square?

  The episode doesn't provide a specific answer to this question, but it's used as a humorous starting point to introduce the show's focus on economic ideas.

• What are the benefits of subscribing to NPR+?

  NPR+ offers access to over 20 sponsor-free podcasts, bonus episodes, early access to some shows, archive access, exclusive shows, and discounts on NPR merchandise.

• What is Click and Clack's advice for dealing with people who read while driving?

  They suggest a form of behavior modification therapy where you allow the person to tailgate you and then slam on the brakes at an appropriate moment.

• What is Leaf's car cleaning ritual, and why does he do it?

  Leaf thoroughly cleans his car inside and out before taking it in for service, hoping it will lead to better treatment and lower costs.

• What is Vicki's problem with her Volvo, and how do Click and Clack diagnose it?

  Vicki's Volvo is overheating. Click and Clack diagnose the problem as a plugged radiator, suggesting that it hasn't been flushed in six years.

• What is Click and Clack's environmental initiative in their presidential campaign?

  They propose the creation of a "ZAR" (Zero-Acceptance of Recycling) to prosecute environmentally conscious individuals, presented humorously as a way to combat the "holier-than-thou" attitude of some environmentalists.

• What is Joe's problem with his brother-in-law's abandoned Civic?

  Joe's brother-in-law parked his Civic in Joe's backyard four months ago and hasn't moved it, causing inconvenience for Joe. Click and Clack offer humorous advice on how to deal with the situation, suggesting that Joe's brother-in-law has "latent junk man syndrome."

Show Notes