The Best of Car Talk

Paula from Virginia mostly wanted help with her Toyota Camry but, as a US Census agent she couldn’t resist wagging her finger to remind all of us to cooperate with the upcoming census collection. Fun ensues on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2025

Lori’s man is acquiring old vehicles at an alarming rate. He loves working on them but, since he’s blind, he can’t drive them. Should Lori be putting the brakes on this hobby or practice kickstarting the Harley instead? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 22 November 2025

Ellen from Boston has had enough and wants to divorce her Honda. It's been in 3 accidents, vandalized repeatedly and been hit by a falling tree. Will Click and Clack agree that this union was simply not meant to be, or will they suggest some expensive counseling sessions at the Good News Garage first? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2025

Who doesn’t like a good flush? Certainly not us. Unless it’s our $ being flushed into some unscrupulous car dealer’s pockets via some newfangled Rube Goldberg device. Ann from Colorado thinks she might be a victim and wants Click and Clack to assuage her fears on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 15 November 2025

Our ‘Family Planning Division’ has been busy! a few weeks ago it was Anne from Georgia playing ambulance driver with her post-vasectomy-reversal hubby moaning in the back seat. This time, Kara is pregnant with twins as a result of a botched vasectomy. Urology is a tougher racket than we thought. Boy have we got questions on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2025

Rhonda’s minivan needs help, Mike’s Subaru shuns Sundays and Gwen’s van has literally gone to the dogs on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2025

Terri has a teenage son and he’s wearing her resistance down at the same time that he’s saving up for a muscle car. Rather than take the easy route, Click and Clack invite Tom’s son Alex to provide the teenage boy perspective. That and other big mistakes on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2025

Show favorite Daniel Pinkwater returns to detail his latest automotive claim to fame as the ‘uber-butt’ by which all other posteriors and car seats are measured on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2025

Shakespeare famously tried to woo a maiden by comparing her to a summer’s day. Tommy - No Bill Shakespeare he- tries comparing his wife to a truck. Will he be sleeping on the couch or in the garage this time? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2025

Anne’s husband was under heavy sedation following a very delicate medical procedure and lying on a mattress placed in the back of their minivan for a seven hour drive home. In order to spare him the pain, Anne floored it the entire way and now hubby and the van don’t sound so good. Did she wreck the car? Did hubby survive? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 25 October 2025

Diane’s a farm girl just trying to plant this season’s crop but the various men on the farm have littered their old junk cars all over the fields. Can Click and Clack help Diane work with these fragile male egos in her midst or should she just plow ‘em under? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2025

Katherine was looking for some simple but sage advice on what sort of mid-life crisis car would be right for her and instead of a make and model she’s getting a complete psychological work up from Drs. Click and Clack on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 18 October 2025

Got a car question that’s been burning a hole in your psyche for the past decade? Well, Ray is back for some limited engagements behind the microphone. All you have to do to ask him a car question is call 888 522 5478 and follow his instructions as to where to deposit the bitcoins (just kidding). But if you want to hear these new calls, you’re going to have to join Car Talk+ by heading over to plus.npr.org/cartalk. You’ll get access to the new calls and other prehistoric Car Talk gems, as well as complete access to about 1,000 episodes of Car Talk, too. What are you waiting for?! Car Talk+’s first bonus segment, with Ray taking caller questions, is available right now. You know what to do. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 16 October 2025

Dr. Kenny has a problem with the brakes on his Honda and Dr. Z has a beef with an answer we gave on a past show, so they decided to ring us up -while they were performing surgery! Scrub in and grab your favorite scalpel for this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2025

Amy’s husband went out and bought a jalopy that needed a new rack and pinion that he was sure he could install. And he did! But Amy is beside herself with worry that her previously klutzy beau is going to start buying more junkers to fix. A spirited defense of amateur driveway mechanics on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 11 October 2025

Alison’s VW won’t start and to make matters worse, Click and Clack are mesmerized by her lovely Scottish accent. Will Alison have to dope slap the guys(“a skelpit lug!)to get some decent advice? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2025

Crash from San Diego is trying hard not to live up to his nickname and he wants Click and Clack to figure out why his Mazda sways so much from side to side. Grab your helmet and check out this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 4 October 2025

Jerry’s SUV has a pronounced wiggle in the rear end and he’s unscuccessfully tried several expensive fixes. As he ticks them off to Click and Clack they beg him to make his facts fit the only diagnosis that they can come up with. Perry Mason it isn’t, on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 30 September 2025

Anne and her brood are planning a cross-country trek in their old minivan and want to be sure that they’re not going to break down at the top of Pike’s Peak. Click and Clack think that’s the wrong approach. What’s a little blown engine amongst family members? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 27 September 2025

Carl from Connecticut has a long, steep driveway that’s expensive to plow in the wintertime. He’s prepared to mount his own plow on the front of his old, high-mileage minivan and give it a go. Will it work? Find out why not on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 23 September 2025

How DO mechanics figure out what’s wrong with your car? You would hope that they’d start small and inexpensive and work their way up to the big stuff, but you’d be wrong. Listen to Click and Clack spend their customer’s money on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 20 September 2025

Courtesy of Tommy’s wife, JoAnne: a simple phrase to deal with a spouse, a mechanic -or both, in JoAnne’s case, who’s laying it on a bit too thick. Hear about all the applications on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 16 September 2025

Ray has theories and this one is a doozy! Nancy from Wyoming can’t get her car to start on cold mornings unless she first turns on the heater. Ray’s explanation involves a small stream and a colony of ants playing the part of electrons valiantly attempting to cross the stream. ‘Something bogus-a-brewin’ on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 13 September 2025

“Free Compost”,  at one time the runner-up choice for the title of our radio show, is what Mary from Michigan shoveled straight into the trunk of her new Ford Mustang... 6 weeks ago. Should she bother taking it out now or should she leave the trunklid up and plant her heirloom tomatoes next to the spare? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 9 September 2025

Click and Clack join the crowd and tell of conspiracies everywhere, including antilock brakes and whole milk, on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 6 September 2025

Betsy moved from Vermont down to Louisiana and, upon arrival, found her Toyota pickup to be infested with ‘Mud Chiggers’, or so her mechanic says. Can Click and Clack the exterminator brothers get to the bottom of this one? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 2 September 2025

Sean from Montreal is hearing otherworldly noises from his Dodge Caravan and Mark from New York wants to transplant the heart and lungs of his Chevy Suburban into a fresh corpse. Click and Clack are stuck in a 1950s B-Movie on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 30 August 2025

Our more hands-on callers often try(and fail) to repair their vehicles before taking the desperate measure of calling us for help. But what happens when a caller has tried absolutely everything? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 26 August 2025

Among the many reasons the Saab car division went belly up years ago were little things like putting the transmission drain plug so close to the engine oil drain plug that they were practically daring you not to mistakenly open the wrong one. Oops, someone did it again on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 23 August 2025

When Peter applies the brakes on his Honda while driving at night sparks shoot out from under the dash and the car loses power. And we always thought Hondas were kind of boring! Hear the sparks fly on this episode of the Best of Car Talk.  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 19 August 2025

It’s bad enough showing up to the gym for your free trial membership after a few decades of ‘de-conditioning’, but to have a fitness dominatrix like Tanya cracking the whip seems doubly cruel. And after that humbling experience a few humbling car questions on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 16 August 2025

One caller wants a new car to get through his pre-retirement years while another wants to chuck it all except for the car. Could they both have the right idea? Find out on this mid-life crisis edition of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 12 August 2025

Ok, perhaps we exaggerate a bit, but Doug from Oklahoma really does have black smoke coming out of his vents which are filled with dead bugs. Find out what’s cookin’ on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 9 August 2025

Poor Tommy! It’s tough enough trying to properly diagnose car problems over the phone without suddenly finding yourself sitting at the wrong end of a long limb that your brother is in the process of sawing through. Lookout below on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk  Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 4 August 2025

Andy and his girlfriend were driving across the desert when their Jeep began overheating. Having already consumed all of the water they brought with them, they also needed to relieve themselves at the same time. Find out how good their aim was on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 2 August 2025

We've all seen old jalopies wobbling down the road and we've heard their familiar 'death rattles', but Ellen has a mechanic who claims to be able to smell the imminent demise of her old Dodge. Who is this sommelier of soon-to-be clunkers? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 29 July 2025

Paul has just moved next door to 'Our Fair City' of Cambridge, MA and is embarking on a career as a struggling musician(that's redundant- we know). He's got the band together and he even managed to find a cheap van to haul everything from gig to gig. He did, however, forget one little detail before buying the van. Will Paul's band break up before the van does? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 26 July 2025

Dana has a German friend who can't figure out how to get a big piece of history out of the trunk of his Dad's brand new BMW. Grab a jelly donut and check out this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 22 July 2025

Janet fr Charlotte(or maybe it was Charlotte from Janet?) had a simple question: automatic or stick for her 16 year old daughter's new car? But when Click and Clack find out that the new car is a BMW Z3 M Roadster -it's fireworks time on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 19 July 2025

Act now to ensure public media remains free and accessible to all. Your donation will help this essential American service survive and thrive. Visit donate.npr.org now. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 18 July 2025

Gary was about to go pick up his Jeep from his mechanic when they called him to say that there had been a 'mishap'. Turns out that this shop's idea of a 'mishap' also includes dropping vehicles from great heights off of the lift. Find out if THAT's gonna 'buff right out' on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 15 July 2025

Judith is in possession of a machine that can determine when a person is lying just by measuring intonations in the voice. This is a mechanic's worst nightmare. Will Click and Clack pass the test, or can they find a way to deceive this devious device? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 12 July 2025

Becca's '75 Dodge Dart doesn't seem to want to shut off sometimes. Will a potato in the tailpipe cure this one, or will Click and Clack find a better way? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 8 July 2025

Lisa Carr should be the head of some Texas dealership's leasing office, right? Instead, she's duking it out with some mechanics telling her that her car has 'issues'. Find out if Click and Clack solve Lisa's 'issues' and maybe offer her a job on our staff as the head of the 'money burning division' on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 5 July 2025

Eric isn't done with medical school yet but he's already being called-in for second opions... by his mechanic. Can Doctors Click and Clack help to save this patient? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 1 July 2025

Gus has an old pickup that won't shift into park, which makes leav ing it anywhere that isn't dead flat a real challenge. All the other gears work fine. Should he throw a couple of cinderblocks in the trunk to use as wheel chocks, or will Click and Clack come up with a less ridiculous solution? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 28 June 2025

Kristin was heading home from work recently and had a 'near dent experience', just narrowly missing another vehicle. Ever since, her car has become timid -stalling at crucial times. Find out if Click and Clack can solve Kristin's car's confidence problem on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 24 June 2025

Alita is so bored up in Quechee, Vermont that she and her boyfriend think it'll be more fun to put a brick on the gas pedal of their Nissan and watch the motor melt than it would be to fix it. Will Click and Clack be aghast at this act of 'autocide', or will they make some popcorn and watch the fireworks? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 21 June 2025

Teddi and Gloria both have stumbled onto personal rituals to deal with their unreliable cars. In Teddi's case she's struggling to start her car in the driveway, but Gloria is convinced that turning her car off and back on while flying down the highway is 'the cure'. Can Click and Clack get Teddi going and stop Gloria before she crashes at high speed? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 17 June 2025

Jann is willing to consider several different vehicles to replace her Honda, but her labrador retriever is a little pickier. And the doggie expresses her displeasure by barfing all over car interiors. Will car salesman be suspicious when Jann starts covering everything in plastic before test drives, or do Click and Clack have a surefire puke prevention plan? Find out on this episode of the Best of Car Talk. Get access to hundreds of episodes in the Car Talk archive when you sign up for Car Talk+ at plus.npr.org/cartalk Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Transcribed - Published: 14 June 2025