Hey, it's Ray Maliazza here. You know, somehow we are almost to the end of 2025.

And there were times when it felt like this year would never end, right? And I'm not going to lie,

it has been a tough year for NPR and for local stations. But despite the loss of federal funding

for public media, despite attacks on the free press, we are still here for you. And we will

not shy away from exercising

the critical right to editorial independence guaranteed by the First Amendment. And with your support,

we will not be silent. NPR will keep reporting the news without fear or favor. And here at the

best of car talk, we will keep bringing you the same questionable car advice that you've come to expect all these years.

Now, if you are already a Car Talk Plus supporter, thank you so much.

We see you, and we're so grateful for your support.

If not, please join the community of public radio supporters right now before the end of the year at plus.npr.org. Signing up unlocks a bunch

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Hello and welcome to Car Talk from National Public Radio with us,

Click and Clack to Tapit Brothers, and we're broadcasting this week from the Department of Divine Justice here at Car Talk Plaza.

This is a little note from Bill Harbens from out there in cyberspace.

Hi guys, in light of your drive now talk later campaign,

my friends encouraged me to tell you what happened to me on my way home from work a couple of Fridays ago. I was approaching an equipment rental business in my aging Dodge Minter van when a man

who was talking on his cell phone pulled out of the rental store parking lot right in front of me.

I slammed on the brakes and managed to get the caravan stopped.

Annoyed, I slammed my hand down on the horn and held it for a good while as he continued his left turn across a busy street.

...