The Best of Car Talk The Best of Car Talk

#2655: Our Proper Roles

Jul 11, 2026 · 38m

Summary

Click and Clack discuss a study linking frontal temporal dementia to a sudden love for pop music before tackling listener car problems. They diagnose a 1968 Rambler’s black exhaust soot as a rich choke adjustment and explain a Mazda’s blown spark plugs resulted from improper tightening. The hosts also solve a complex logic puzzle about a magical hat and address a Subaru’s heat-induced vibration, likely caused by a viscous coupling.

Topics discussed

Intro: Dementia patients gaining new skills Patricia's 1968 Rambler American exhaust soot Click and Clack discuss the MG Midget Jamie's Mazda B2200 spark plugs blowing out The Puzzler: The Magical Hat and Numbers Larry's Acura Integra vibration and stalling Commercial break and banter New Puzzler: Frank's vacuum cleaner mystery Randy's golf ball rattling in the trunk Ken's Ford Contour stalling at stops Outro and credits
Listen ad-free on Castria