#2468: Ok for Me but Not for Thee
1Digest
The episode begins with the hosts discussing the recent controversy surrounding the Isuzu Trooper's tendency to roll over. They then move on to listener mail, where a caller highlights unusual entries in the Saturn owner's manual index. The main focus of the episode is a caller's Chevy S10 pickup truck that won't start. The hosts diagnose the problem as likely due to corrosion between the battery and the terminal ends, preventing proper charging and starting. Another caller seeks advice on installing air conditioning in her 1988 Chevy Nova. The hosts assure her that it's feasible and unlikely to harm the engine, but recommend a heavy-duty radiator. The episode also features a discussion about a woman who was jailed for putting coins in expired parking meters to help other drivers avoid tickets. The hosts criticize the law and parking meters in general. Finally, the hosts present a new puzzler about an 11-year-old boy waiting for the number 12 bus. The answer involves the history of railroad tracks and their connection to Roman chariots.
Outlines
Car Troubles and Parking Meter Controversy
The hosts discuss the Isuzu Trooper rollover controversy, a caller's Chevy S10 no-start issue, and a woman jailed for putting coins in expired parking meters.
Listener Mail and Air Conditioning Advice
A listener highlights unusual entries in the Saturn owner's manual index, and another caller seeks advice on installing air conditioning in her Chevy Nova.
Bus Stop Puzzler and Roman Chariots
The hosts present a new puzzler about an 11-year-old boy waiting for the number 12 bus, revealing the connection between railroad tracks and Roman chariots.
Car Talk Credits
The hosts credit the show's staff, including producers, engineers, technical advisors, and other contributors.
Keywords
Corrosion
The gradual deterioration of metal due to chemical reactions, often caused by exposure to moisture and salt.
Heavy Duty Radiator
A radiator designed to handle higher temperatures and greater cooling demands, often used in vehicles with air conditioning or other performance modifications.
Parking Meter
A device that measures the time a vehicle is parked in a designated area and requires payment for extended parking.
Civil Disobedience
The refusal to obey certain laws or demands of a government or other authority, often as a form of protest or resistance.
Roman Chariots
Horse-drawn vehicles used by the ancient Romans for transportation, warfare, and ceremonial purposes.
Ruts
Grooves or depressions in a road surface, often caused by repeated use by vehicles with wheels of a specific width.
Axle
A rod or shaft that connects two wheels, allowing them to rotate together and transmit power from the engine to the wheels.
Q&A
What is the most likely cause of the caller's Chevy S10 pickup truck's no-start condition?
The most likely cause is corrosion between the battery and the terminal ends, preventing proper charging and starting.
Is it safe to install air conditioning in a 1988 Chevy Nova?
Yes, installing air conditioning is feasible and unlikely to harm the engine. However, it may require a heavy-duty radiator to handle the additional heat generated.
Why do the hosts criticize the law against putting coins in expired parking meters?
They believe the law is unreasonable and that it punishes people who are trying to do a good deed. They also criticize parking meters as an unnecessary and often unfair form of revenue generation.
What is the significance of the 4 feet, 11 and 3/4 inches distance between railroad tracks?
This distance originates from the wheel spacing of Roman chariots, which created ruts in English roads that later influenced the design of carriages and ultimately railroad tracks.
Show Notes
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