The Best of Car Talk

NPR

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America's funniest auto mechanics take calls from weary car owners all over the country, and crack wise while they diagnose Dodges and dismiss Diahatsus. You don't have to know anything about cars to love this one hour weekly laugh fest.

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331 episodes

#2477: Holistic Car Care

Did you know that Click and Clack's roots in car care stretch back to 'hippie days' and their 'Hacker's Haven' DIY Garage? Ed was a customer then and remembers a few of the nutty approaches the boys took to educating beginner mechanics. Change your Patchouli oil & filter with us on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

35m
Sep 24
#2476: Houston, We Have a Problem!

When John called us from '200 miles north of Hawaii'' it took Click and Clack a minute to realize he meant 200 miles 'straight up'. Boy, NASA budget cuts get must be bad if they're calling us for help. Houston definitely has a problem on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

35m
Sep 21
#2475: Men Before GPS

It used to be that the biggest obstacle to getting where you were going wasn't a poorly built or maintained car -it was the guy behind the wheel. Men famously hated asking for directions, preferring instead to try and read a paper map with one eye while keeping the other eye on the road, sort of. Journey back to the 'not-so-long-ago-days-of-pre-GPS-yore' on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

37m
Sep 17
#2474: The Feds Are On To Us!

Despite broadcasting the show from a moving van every week for lo these many years it appears 'the jig is up' finally for our hosts as the FCC Chairman has found them and has a few 'questions.' Join us as Click and Clack learn all about Federal Sentencing Guidelines on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

35m
Sep 14
#2473: The Brains in Maine

Theresa from Maine has a problem with her car sliding all over the road when she's braking. You'd think that would grab Click and Clack's attention, but you'd be wrong. They would rather use the time to muse on the relative insanity of all of their New England neighbors to the north on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

32m
Sep 10
#2472: Rover and Over

Veronica's hubby wants to buy an old Land Rover for riding through the jungles of... greater Boston. Click and Clack explain that, while on the surface this idea seems illogical, ill-conceived and expensive, it's actually much worse than that. Join our safari for this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

37m
Sep 07
#2471: Put a Sock in it

While doing some maintenance on his Mercury, Bob from Washington used one of his athletic socks to keep things from falling into the car's manifold. After finishing up he took the car for a spin on the highway until he heard a horrible noise and the car died. That giant, sock-sucking-sound on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

37m
Sep 03
#2470: The God of Thermostats

Max needs help keeping his junker going in Hawaii. John has to tell his Honda mechanic in the most tactful way possible that he's incompetent and Jill and her Ford have to rely on the oracles 'Clickus' and 'Clackus' to appeal to the God of thermostats on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

33m
Aug 31
#2469: Right Down the Hatch

Barbara's 'grandmamobile' is perfect except for one thing. Every time she leaves something on the dash it slides into the vents. And just the other day that vent swallowed up her car keys. Surgical extractions with Click and Clack on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

37m
Aug 27
#2468: Ok for Me but Not for Thee

Truth Shmooth! Mere moments after Click and Clack help Victoria from Tucson dismiss her husbands fibs about putting an air conditioning unit in their old car, our boys are making up stuff so that Reed from North Carolina can talk his wife out of pulling a horse trailer with his beloved Ford. It's a delicate dance on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

34m
Aug 24
#2467: Fred Not!

Fred called us from Hartford... except his name isn't Fred... and he isn't from Hartford... What could be so bad that would make a guy desperate enough to call our lousy show on the Q.T? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

33m
Aug 20
#2466: Hi Sierra, Bye Sierra

Sierra's Dodge groans when she's steering it and the boys want her to test it before they give her an answer. So what will our two hosts do while their guest hangs up to go for a short drive? Adventures in 'dead air' on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

39m
Aug 17
#2465: The Dodge Dowry

Elysa and her boyfriend have been 'shacking up' for some time and her parents have just approached him to say that they are willing to give them a car as an inducement to tie the knot. Will Click and Clack hit the brakes on this arrangement? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

37m
Aug 13
#2464: No Mommy! Not the Wiggly Road!

Every time Nancy drives little 3-yr-old Sam in either of the family cars he pukes. But it never happens when Dad is driving. Can Click and Clack help Nancy improve her driving technique before Sam ruins the upholstery? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

34m
Aug 10
#2463: Pardon the Interruption

Sharon loves to settle into a comfy seat and read a book before and after a hard days work. That the seat in question is the driver's seat of her car as she travels to and from work -should that bother the rest of us? Click and Clack supply the outrage on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

36m
Aug 06
#2462: What's the Matter, Lea?

Lea is a lost college freshman looking for meaning in the rigors of her academic existence. She somehow got it in her head that Click and Clack, being MIT-trained car mechanics, might be able to help her put things in perspective on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

38m
Aug 03
#2461: Male Answer Syndrome

If a tree falls in the forest and there isn't a man there to tell us why it just fell over... did a tree really fall? Click and Clack mansplain it all on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

35m
Jul 30
#2460: The Antmobile

Christine's hubby has a habit of eating sesame bagels in his Honda. A delighted colony of ants has taken notice and taken up residence somewhere inside the car. Can Click and Clack the entomologists solve this one? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

38m
Jul 27
#2459: The Neatnik Mechanic Hypothesis

Leif fr Pennsylvania has a theory that if he cleans his car thoroughly inside and out before bringing it in for service he'll get a better result at his local repair shop. Is he right? And why not? Check it out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

33m
Jul 23
#2458: Who Gets the Mechanic in the Divorce?

Sarah Volvo and Mr. Mercedes shared everything -including a wonderful car mechanic- until Mr. Mercedes was caught looking under someone else's hood. Now that she and Mercedes are kaput, Sarah wants to know who gets to keep the mechanic? Oye, oye, Divorce court is now in session with the honorable Click and Clack presiding on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

34m
Jul 20
#2457: Dad Sold the Car!

When she was growing up, Linda's family went everywhere in their '66 Rambler Station Wagon. But just the other day, her dad sold it to a neighbor instead of offering it to Linda. Should she just let it go and be satisfied with eyeing it in the neighbor's driveway? Find out what Click and Clack think on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

33m
Jul 16
#2456: Mr. Leadfoot

It's bad enough that Gayle's new boyfriend hogs the tv remote all the time. Now he's speeding around in her car and Gayle is worried that he's wrecking the engine. Can Click and Clack help Gayle talk some sense into Mr. Leadfoot? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

34m
Jul 13
#2455: Kevorkian Motors

Jaime from Virginia must be a longtime listener because he's asking Click and Clack how to put an old Hyundai out of his misery. Creatively euthanizing cars on this episode of the best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

33m
Jul 09
#2454: Shark Attack

Scott from Scottsdale is an attorney suing a local mechanic who cracked the engine block on his client's car. The mechanic fessed up immediately and offered to fix it with epoxy. Will Click and Clack side with a lawyer preparing to pounce on a fellow mechanic? It's shark vs grease monkey on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

33m
Jul 06
#2453: A 50/50/50 Mixture

Greg from Long Island is pretty sure that his radiator is now holding a mixture of equal parts water, coolant and sealant resulting from his vain attempts to plug up his leaking heater core. Is there any hope for Greg or should he just relocate the cat's litter box to catch the drips? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

35m
Jul 02
#2452: Go Ahead, Touch 'em!

Spencer from Florida was riding down the highway in his Honda without a care in the world when he was hit with an urgent need to touch his lug nuts. How normal is that? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

33m
Jun 29
#2451: From the Shores of Lake Titicaca

Dr. Christine scored herself a plum gig in South America digging up ancient ruins, but unless her stalling Landcruiser gets fixed she might just bury it for a future Indiana Jones to dig up. Can Click and Clack help her explain to Titicaca Toyota's service manager what it needs? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

36m
Jun 25
#2450: Great Balls of Fire!

Pat from Colorado got a sizzling surprise from her Suzuki Sidekick at the Self-Service Station the other day. Goodness, gracious, great balls of fire on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

32m
Jun 22
#2449: Oops!

A classic Car Talk diagnosis is derived from our hosts' intimate knowledge of modern automotive systems and their failure points, plus a healthy dose of finger-crossing in the hopes that the caller doesn't add that one last detail that flushes an otherwise elegant diagnosis right down the tubes. Listen as Click and Clack circle the bowl on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

34m
Jun 18
#2448: The Costanza Method

Click and Clack pride themselves on their subtle communications skills. But every once in a while you have to make your point any way you can. To whit, Ray employs 'The Costanza Method'(Yell at everybody) on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy

36m
Jun 15