Car Talk

07/28/2025

Dear Car Talk:
Normally, I would ask my dad for advice, but he passed away last year, so I'm turning to the only other people he trusted to give car advice!

I have a 2010 Volvo XC70 with 55,000 miles on it. I bought it new. My dealer says that my windshield seal has gone bad, and that the entire windshield needs to be replaced -- to the tune of $3,000. There are no cracks or chips in the glass, but they say the whole "windshield package" must be replaced to repair the seal.

My question is, should I do the repair or buy a new car? The current value of the car is between $7,000 and $12,000, so I'm doubting if the repair even makes sense. Money is not specifically a concern. I'm more concerned with finding another quality car if I were to go that route.

Thoughts? Suggestions on other cars? Thank you! -- Rachael
Read Ray's response: Car Talk's Dad Advice is to Do What Makes You Happy - Car Talk https://ecs.page.link/pJees

Normally, I would ask my dad for advice, but he passed away last year, so I'm turning to the only other people he trusted to give car advice!

07/25/2025

Dashboard warning lights are triggering, while often being cryptic. It’s like the lights sing us that Michael Jackson song. “You know I’m bad. I’m bad. You know it.”

The question is: is it “get an appointment at the mechanic” bad, or “pull over immediately or your car is toast” bad? Read more: What Each Warning Light Means - Car Talk https://ecs.page.link/9dRuA

Car Talk automotive experts look at what each warning light means on your vehicle dashboard. Read on for more information about what each of these notifications means and their significance.

07/23/2025

If only

07/22/2025

07/21/2025

Dear Car Talk:
I recently purchased a plug-in hybrid.
My question: I charge it up overnight and drive about 40 miles a day, all on battery power, as the battery-only range is about 50 miles. So, I can go weeks -- if not longer -- without using any gasoline. Should I be adding a fuel additive of some sort? Thanks for your answer. Like so many, I look forward to your weekly articles. -- Simon

Read Ray's response: Modern Plug-in Hybrids are Smart on Tracking Gasoline Usage - Car Talk https://ecs.page.link/M4Uj7

07/18/2025

Folks, don't drive like my brother when you're out on the roads this weekend.

07/17/2025

Melissa donated her 2004 Volvo V70 to St. Louis Public Radio through the Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program. Thank you, Melissa, for !

"This beauty has kept our twins safe from infancy to permit drivers and now going off to college! Twenty years of solid, reliable, and safe driving! Thank you, Goldie! We’ll miss you!!!"

Learn more about the Car Talk Vehicle Donation Program: https://ecs.page.link/Cu1rR

07/15/2025

Just gonna leave this right here...

07/14/2025

Dear Car Talk:
I have a Scion xA. I use a trickle charger with it because I don't drive it when I'm away for the winter. I returned home, removed the trickle charger, and securely tucked the pigtails away. Since the battery was old, I had it replaced.

As I was driving a few days later, I noticed the car was gaining speed as I was going downhill. I thought the gas pedal was stuck and stabbed at it a few times, but continued to gain speed. There were no shoulders on the road, there were curves, and there was traffic behind me, so I couldn't safely brake to a stop.

At this point, the car was going 70 mph in a 55-mph zone and gaining speed. The engine was making a horrendous noise, and I knew I had to do something. There was an access road coming up that was almost a 90-degree turn. As I came to the access road, I put the car in Neutral, slammed the brakes, made the turn, and immediately stopped and shut off the engine.

I was so scared, I was shaking. I had the car towed to the mechanic who had changed the battery and told them that my car was acting like "Christine." I was very upset and tearful. I thought I was going to die.
Well, 10 minutes later, the mechanic came out to tell me the trickle charger's pigtails got wrapped up in the throttle linkage, causing the throttle to be stuck wide open. The mechanic told me it was a very dangerous situation. No kidding!

I was upset because they changed the battery but failed to secure the pigtails. Shame on them, right? -- Charlene

Read Ray's response: In Every Scenario, Your Life is Worth More Than Your Engine - Car Talk https://ecs.page.link/EXVfo

07/12/2025

The Best of Car Talk, Show #2555: Tell the Truth
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. Listen now: Our Show https://ecs.page.link/CUFct

07/10/2025

It’s the only one for me.

07/09/2025

Dear Car Talk:
I inherited a 2017 Lincoln Continental when my parents both passed in 2021. It had about 17,000 miles on it at the time. It now has about 63,000. A few days ago, our daughters drove it to church. On arrival, one daughter got out of the passenger side front and got a disposable tablecloth caught in the door jamb while closing the door. She then tried to open the door to remove the tablecloth, but the door wouldn't open. She finally pulled the tablecloth out, but to this day, the door won't open.

A local dealership looked at it, and their remedy is to cut a hole in the door panel, big enough to reach in and release the door lock by hand. That means replacing the door panel, plus whatever parts of the lock mechanism have to be replaced. According to the dealer, this work will be "in the $5,000 range." Is there another, less destructive way to get the door open? The driver's side has a manual override button but it is the only door with that feature. -- Ron

Read Ray's response: https://ecs.page.link/zfTRC