Is Detroit desperate enough to take marketing advice from Tom and Ray? If so, the guys have a few ideas to help "move the metal". Also, a 35-minute Windy City warmup, a round of "ABS roulette", and a problem that's too serious for black tape... so bring on the spray paint! And, a new Puzzler from the Dark and Stormy Night series.

On this encore episode, could Summer be the cause of a bumpy ride in a 125,000 pound truck at McMurdo Station? Also, is it wise to let sleeping block heaters lie, should you look a gift remote starter in the mouth, and, the results of the First Car Talk Guy Car/Chick Car Survey.

An eyewitness account of Ray's short-lived careers as a blizzard chaser. Also, a wet night in a dry wash turns everything inside out for a Camry, a possible case of spousal truck arson, and what could make Tommy say, "He's doing pretty good, but for the wackiest reasons I've ever heard!"

A 3-year old, a golfball, and the tailpipe of a Toyota Highlander come together, resulting a very nervous Dad. Also, Ray revives his proposal for a national gas tax, an all-mouse production of The Nutcracker Meets La Boheme takes the stare in an Element, and how NOT to keep a loved one from flying through the windshield.

As if lousy advice wasn't bad enough, have we resorted to adding a "Snort Track" to the show? Also, a Doctor's Lincoln starts to remind him of his mother, why new tires can be shocking, and a guy who can even out-laugh us.

After four years, a New Yorker tires of "creative" parallel parking, and wonders why his Jetta won't go in reverse. Also, a novice driver looks for the perfect car--small, cute, safe, reliable...and cheaper than 5,000 bucks. Can Tom and Ray stop laughing long enough to suggest anything? And, on Stump the Chumps, an unwelcome neighbor departs.

A college student pleads for help navigating the existential crisis known as Freshman year. Also, a truck owner tries to get her faithful pooch to ride somewhere other than the roof of her truck, and a not so mysterious coolant mystery. Encore episode.

Field research confirms a strange attraction to our show among...sheep! Also, two callers learn they're a day late a few quarts short of some expensive repairs, an unloved Beetle finds a new home while it's former owner finds lower blood pressure, and a clown car doesn't know when to stop running.

This week on Car Talk, a list of rejected Doctoral Dissertation topics. And Tom and Ray help one caller find the cause of his engine fires. Watch out... it might bite you!

Is a gentle toot the best way to let a fellow driver know he's done a bad thing, or should you just let it be? Also, a tropical storm- plagued Miata, a Subaru with "squirrels in the blender syndrome", one listener's alarming parking fixation, and what do you do when your mechanic's hearing loss could mean your engine loss?