#2638: Melissa Strikes Back

Tom and Ray Magliozzi announce their satirical presidential campaign under the 'Two Zeros and Zero Zero' platform, proposing a three-day work week and joint custody of the presidency. Later, a caller from Austin asks for advice regarding a suspicious fuel injection cleaning service recommended by his mechanic.

The hosts discuss the common practice of service stations upselling unnecessary fuel system treatments, contrasting them with professional shop equipment. Later, they are surprised to receive a call from a former listener who previously criticized them years ago.

Melissa Peterson calls in to ask the hosts for advice on the safety of her new motor scooter, despite her mother's concerns. The hosts, Ray and Tom Magliozzi, strongly advise against riding it due to the inherent dangers of operating a scooter in traffic.

The hosts share amusingly incorrect answers from a sixth-grade history test before taking a call from a listener about a vibrating 1985 Ford Ranger. The segment blends lighthearted literary and historical trivia with automotive troubleshooting.

The hosts diagnose a caller's shaking truck, identifying a dangerous ball joint issue, and then address a separate caller's confusion regarding the proper use of an overdrive button in her vehicle. The conversation highlights the mechanical risks of ignoring suspension problems and clarifies the function of automatic transmission gears.

The hosts discuss the mechanics of overdrive and fuel efficiency with a caller named Melissa. They then pivot to soliciting new puzzlers from listeners and advise a 25-year-old caller from Nebraska on the merits of obtaining a driver's license versus using public transportation.

The hosts discuss the merits of public transportation versus private car ownership, proposing creative 'theme cars' to improve the passenger experience. They also share a humorous, frustrating personal anecdote about a long-distance train trip that ended up stranded in Nebraska.