#1147: I Love You, So Please Shut Up

Nov 19, 2011
This week on Car Talk, Sonia's husband Barry may be taking his anti-distracted driving stance a little too far. He refuses to talk to Sonia while driving, even when they're in the car together. Other families in crisis: Anita needs a cure for sister-induced car sickness, and Monique's kids want to get her sister's old Miata running, after it's been sitting with a dead battery for the last 10 years. Also, Reverend Dave thinks unholy thoughts about his stuck key; Patrice can't get her VW Bus to start, even after pouring Coke on the battery; and on Stump the Chumps, we find out if Aron's car no longer sounds like Larry of the 3 Stooges snoring. All this and lots more, this week on Car Talk.

Show Open Topic

Tom and Ray share an item from The Department of Painful Headlines.

This Week's Puzzler

On their fall foliage trip north, who drove more miles-- Tom or Ray?

Last Week's Puzzler

How did an African roadside mechanic fix the Nissan without any tools and no knowledge of cars?

As Read on Car Talk



5 Comments

I have a

I agree that it is not the tire changing. But with that said, my "Whoooo" I believe comes from my brakes. I have paid to have them done. Tires rotated. Still a "Whoooo". Are ya really telling me that I have released the under the hood owl? too funny. I love you guys! I have spent money on fixing this, but have not taken it to a dealer. I'm originally from Mass. Probably should drive my car home there to get it fixed. Whooooing in SLC!
Favorite Moment: 
"Arty chokes 2 for a dollar at safeway"
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Mr. Rigid

What on earth is he going to do when he has kids?? Not drive them? Tape their mouths closed like that tense scene in 'Exodus' when the kids had to be smuggled out of the Kibbutz? Get a new wife? Buy a limo or laundry truck?
Favorite Moment: 
are you kidding me boyz? I love everything you do....
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Possible mistake

I love your show and try to listen every week. On show # 1147, Lana has a car (Mercedes?) where her heater does not work at idle, yet it works when she is driving. You overlooked one simple feature of a cooling system--the thermostat. Since thermostats are designed to open at a particular temperature, it is possible that someone installed a thermostat with a much higher temperature rating than is designed for the car, which would prevent the coolant from flowing until the engine heated up. Since it is typically two screws and a gasket and generally easily accessible, checking the thermostat should always be done before considering the replacement of the water pump (expensive). Is there a way for people to instant message or email you during the show so you could receive suggestions from the audience? You could give a simple prize (or just free recognition) to the viewer that came up with the correct answer.
Favorite Moment: 
I love the Puzzler questions. Keep them coming!
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Gave me the creeps

Gotta tell you guys, the one call today really bothered me. I couldn't believe Tom took the husband's (Barry's) side. His wife deserves a medal for putting up with somebody that strange. Have him email me, I'll tell him myself!
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You Blew It on Stump the Chumps

You blew it on Stump the Chumps. You were right about the problem, a dying power steering pump, but you didn't make the connection to new tires with good tread taking the load off the pump when turning the wheel.
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