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#1334: The Pinkwater Measurement

Aug 24, 2013
This week on Car Talk, Click and Clack delve deep into scientific inquiry on the expanding American rump. The fruits of their labor? A new way to measure the human derriere. Presenting... the "Pinkwater," after Tom and Ray's pal, his rotundity, Daniel Pinkwater. Also, Kathleen has a moral, ethical and economic dilemma: to buy a SUV or buck the big car trend? And Matthew is struggling with his car washing technique. He's striving for spotless perfection on his parents' Voyager. Could the Shawalla be the answer to all of his car-cleansing woes? All this, and much more, this week on Car Talk.

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The Pinkwater Measurement. Tom and Ray suggest a new way for measuring the ever expanding American rump... the Pinkwater!

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5 Comments

Uphill Downhill

I think the missing question for John in Gloversville is "What is your Pinkwater?" If it pulls right uphill, and left otherwise, it must have to do with gravity and unbalanced mass on one side of the car. I wonder if the driver's weight causes the car to normally veer left, but when going uphill, the vector shifts and weight is relieved from the left side causing it to straighten out (or veer right)... Pinkwater, guys!
Favorite Moment: 
Pinkwater!
Rating: 

wrong question

My complements on your conversation with John from Gloversville ,NY, whose VW Golf pulls to right when going uphill and to the left when going downhill, deftly avoided all the right questions. You asked him about his steering, tires, brakes, accelerator but NOT the one thing that would have gotten to the meat of the matter: what music was on the radio when this was happening? Isn't it obvious, it goes to the right then to the left and then, if the Dolly Parton is on the radio, shakes itself about. He should try Perry Como.
Favorite Moment: 
Daniel Pinkwater's measurements
Rating: 

It wasn't Glover, New York

You guys were really insistent that Orson Welles landed his Martians in New York state. I don't mean to speak out of turn, but the fact of the matter is that you were really WRONG! It was Grover's Mill, New Jersey. Still I do enjoy your show, even if you are not fully informed about everything. Dave Hay Houston, Texas
Favorite Moment: 
The discussion of the Pinkwater Measurement.
Rating: 

It wasn't Glover, New York

You guys were really insistent that Orson Welles landed his Martians in New York state. I don't mean to speak out of turn, but the fact of the matter is that you were really WRONG! It was Grover's Mill, New Jersey. Still I do enjoy your show, even if you are not fully informed about everything. Dave Hay Houston, Texas
Favorite Moment: 
The discussion of the Pinkwater Measurement.
Rating: 

water spots

Rotten advice for the kid with water spots on his glass and mirrors. T&R were too quick to judge his problem. He was plagued with hard water stains, usually from sprinkler systems and the like. They can be polished out with a high speed rotational tool and serium oxide type polishing compound but it pays to have a professional do it to avoid distorting the glass.
Favorite Moment: 
Rating: 

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