Digest

The episode begins with an introduction to the State of the World podcast from NPR, highlighting its focus on global news. The hosts then discuss a survey conducted on their website, CarTalk.com, revealing interesting statistics about car ownership and maintenance habits. They present a puzzle about a man who leaves work early and walks home, encountering his wife on the way. The listener must determine how long the man was walking before they met. A caller describes a recurring problem with her Ford Probe's thermostat, where she loses heat while driving but has heat while idling. The hosts struggle to find a logical explanation for the issue. The episode includes an advertisement for the All Latino podcast from NPR Music, which explores Latinx culture, music, and heritage through conversations with artists. The hosts discuss a letter from a listener who received a "lifetime three-year warranty" on a tire purchase. They analyze the wording of the warranty and determine its legitimacy. They present a new puzzle about a car that experiences a peculiar problem while climbing hills. The listener must diagnose the issue based on the provided information. A caller describes a grinding noise from his brakes that appeared after a repair. The hosts discuss the ethical implications of the mechanic's actions in denying the problem. The episode concludes with the hosts thanking their staff and production team, reminding listeners to call in with car questions and to visit CarTalk.com.

Outlines

00:00:00

Car Talk: Exploring Car Ownership and Maintenance Habits

The hosts discuss a survey conducted on their website, CarTalk.com, revealing interesting statistics about car ownership and maintenance habits.

00:00:41

Car Talk: The Train Station Puzzle

The hosts present a puzzle about a man who leaves work early and walks home, encountering his wife on the way. The listener must determine how long the man was walking before they met.

00:12:01

Car Talk: Car Problems and Listener Calls

The episode features listener calls about car problems, including a recurring problem with a Ford Probe's thermostat and a grinding noise from a car's brakes.

00:23:53

Car Talk: Warranty Analysis and Puzzles

The hosts discuss a "lifetime three-year warranty" on a tire purchase and present a new puzzle about a car that experiences a peculiar problem while climbing hills.

00:34:44

Car Talk: Credits and Outro

The hosts thank their staff and production team, reminding listeners to call in with car questions and to visit CarTalk.com.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the interesting statistics revealed by the Car Talk survey?

  The survey revealed that Plymouth owners are more likely to have children than owners of other vehicles, and that Subaru owners are more likely to follow maintenance procedures religiously.

• What is the "lifetime three-year warranty" that the listener received on their tire purchase?

  The warranty covers the tire for the life of its original tread, or for three years from the date of purchase, whichever comes first.

• What is the peculiar problem that the caller's car experiences while climbing hills?

  The car lurches severely as if someone has turned the key off and then back on, but only when climbing long, steep hills.

• Why do the hosts believe that the mechanic lied to the caller about the brake noise?

  The hosts believe that the mechanic was embarrassed to admit that they had left a bolt loose on one of the calipers, which would have caused the noise.

Show Notes