Digest

The episode begins with an advertisement for the Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Foundation. The hosts, Click and Clack, then introduce the Car Talk podcast and discuss the concept of people being unsuited for certain jobs, using the example of a boxer who couldn't understand basic boxing rules. They then discuss a news story about a man who robbed a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant and then described the suspect to the police sketch artist, only to realize he was describing himself. The episode features several listener calls about car troubles. One listener, Steve, calls in with a series of car problems his ex-wife is experiencing, including a '79 Thunderbird with a rod knock, a '77 Dodge van with carburetor issues, and a '84 Ford Tempo. The hosts discuss the listener's ex-wife's decision to trade the van for the Ford Tempo, questioning the wisdom of the trade and trying to understand the listener's relationship with his ex-wife. They then call the listener's ex-wife, Tammy, to get her perspective on the car problems and the potential trade. Another listener, Kathleen, calls in with a problem with her husband's Geo Tracker. The brakes are failing, and the dealership refuses to help her, suggesting she ask her husband. The hosts diagnose Kathleen's brake problem as a master cylinder failure, explaining the symptoms and recommending a replacement. They encourage Kathleen to fix the problem herself, as it's not a difficult task. The episode also features a humorous segment about a listener, Mark, who writes in with a theory that the Car Talk hosts are ventriloquists, claiming that the voices don't match their physical appearances. The hosts humorously dismiss the theory. The episode concludes with the hosts thanking the listeners and their staff. They remind listeners to call in with car questions and to visit the Car Talk website for more information.

Outlines

00:00:00

Car Talk: Introduction and Advertisement

This segment begins with an advertisement for the Center for U.S. Voters Abroad Foundation, highlighting their online form for requesting ballots. The hosts, Click and Clack, then introduce the Car Talk podcast and discuss the concept of people being unsuited for certain jobs, using the example of a boxer who couldn't understand basic boxing rules.

00:01:16

Car Talk: Listener Calls and Car Troubles

The hosts discuss a news story about a man who robbed a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant and then described the suspect to the police sketch artist, only to realize he was describing himself. They then feature several listener calls about car troubles, including a '79 Thunderbird with a rod knock, a '77 Dodge van with carburetor issues, and a '84 Ford Tempo. The hosts discuss the listener's ex-wife's decision to trade the van for the Ford Tempo, questioning the wisdom of the trade and trying to understand the listener's relationship with his ex-wife. They then call the listener's ex-wife, Tammy, to get her perspective on the car problems and the potential trade.

00:20:38

Car Talk: Brake Problems and Ventriloquism

A listener, Kathleen, calls in with a problem with her husband's Geo Tracker. The brakes are failing, and the dealership refuses to help her, suggesting she ask her husband. The hosts diagnose Kathleen's brake problem as a master cylinder failure, explaining the symptoms and recommending a replacement. They encourage Kathleen to fix the problem herself, as it's not a difficult task. The episode also features a humorous segment about a listener, Mark, who writes in with a theory that the Car Talk hosts are ventriloquists, claiming that the voices don't match their physical appearances. The hosts humorously dismiss the theory.

00:33:33

Car Talk: Asking for Directions and Conclusion

A listener, Ethan, calls in with a problem asking for directions. He's a freelance photographer who's always on the road, but he struggles to remember directions given to him. The hosts conclude the show, thanking the listeners and their staff. They remind listeners to call in with car questions and to visit the Car Talk website for more information.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the main point of the segment about the boxer who couldn't understand the rules of boxing?

  The segment uses the boxer as an analogy to illustrate the concept of people being unsuited for certain jobs, highlighting the importance of understanding the basics of a profession.

• What is the main problem with the listener's ex-wife's '77 Dodge van?

  The van has carburetor issues, which are likely caused by a vacuum leak or a gunked-up carburetor.

• What is the hosts' advice to the listener's ex-wife regarding the potential trade for the Ford Tempo?

  The hosts advise her to have the Ford Tempo checked out by a mechanic before making the trade, as it could have hidden problems.

• What is the solution to the listener's brake problem with her husband's Geo Tracker?

  The hosts diagnose the problem as a master cylinder failure and recommend replacing the master cylinder.

• What is the main point of the segment about the listener who struggles to remember directions?

  The segment highlights the common problem of people struggling to remember directions, especially when they're distracted or overwhelmed by other things.

Show Notes