Helium is the last thing most drivers think about until a car can’t ship because a chip can’t ship. We follow a surprising thread from helium balloons to the clean rooms where semiconductors are made, and why a strained global helium supply can raise fresh questions about automotive chip availability. If you remember the pandemic-era semiconductor shortage, this conversation makes one thing clear: the next bottleneck might come from a material most of us never associate with cars.

We break down what helium actually does inside a semiconductor fab, including how it helps purge contamination during wafer processing and supports precision steps like extreme ultraviolet lithography. Then we connect the dots to the vehicles you see on the road, from advanced driver assistance systems to EV hardware and infotainment. Because liquid helium boils off so easily, stockpiling is not simple, so logistics and semiconductor grade supply matter as much as the raw production numbers.

From there we shift into the fun stuff that keeps car people glued to the weekend: Jeff’s racing calendar with NASCAR and IndyCar, plus a few schedule notes influenced by world events. Mike brings This Week in Auto History, touching Pontiac milestones, the Oakland name that helped shape GM history, the polarizing Honda Element, and the Mustang’s legendary launch day. We also hit current headlines, including EV registration trends after tax credit changes and the update on Carroil Shelby Way at Ford.

If you like smart car talk with real-world supply chain context, listen now, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more drivers can find us. After you hear it, what surprised you most: helium in chips or how fragile “small” supplies can be?

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In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

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Watching a car run on a dyno is pure theater, but the numbers can also save you money, guide smarter tuning, and even keep you safer. We head to Northeast Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant, Texas, to talk with Austin Maness from the Carol Shelby Auto Institute about their Dyno Day event and what really happens before a vehicle ever makes a pull. We get clear on what a dynamometer measures, why rear-wheel drive matters for their setup, and what participants actually learn from horsepower and torque data.

We also get honest about the not-so-fun side of performance testing: liability, safety inspections, and the kind of mechanical problems that can shut the whole day down. Austin explains how risk mitigation works in practice, from tech checks to turning cars away when something looks off. Then we dig into a situation a lot of owners face, a tune that doesn’t feel right, and how flashing back to factory settings can be the cleanest way to rebuild confidence in a car’s drivability.

To round it out, we share our 2026 Kia Sportage Plug-In Hybrid review with real-world impressions and real-world fuel economy. The Sportage PHEV X-Line Prestige AWD brings strong combined power, a sharp redesign, and impressive efficiency when you actually plug it in, plus a few driving quirks worth knowing before you buy. If you’re into car culture, dyno testing, automotive education, or plug-in hybrid SUVs, this one is built for you. Subscribe, share the show, and leave a review, what would you put on the dyno first?

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In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

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Glowing tires were once pitched as one of the most dramatic developments in automotive history, and we can’t stop thinking about how close it came to being real. We dig into Goodyear’s illuminated tire experiment from the late 1950s and 1960s: translucent polyurethane “neothane,” dye colors, and small lights mounted inside the rim so the whole tire could shine at night. It’s a perfect slice of retro car culture, equal parts engineering ambition and marketing bravado, right down to the promise that your tires could match your car or even your outfit.

Then we change gears into travel mode with quick, practical Texas Hill Country getaway ideas built for comfort, quiet, and big skies. We talk through glamping destinations near Austin and beyond, including 21+ spots designed for couples, luxury tents that actually feel like tiny cabins, and futuristic pods with patios and private jacuzzies. If you’re planning a Mother’s Day trip or just need a weekend reset, these recommendations focus on what matters: vibe, views, and what you really get for the price.

We close with a hands-on 2026 Kia Sportage PHEV review, covering styling updates, minimalist interior design, and the real question with any plug-in hybrid SUV: does plugging in pay off? We share real-world MPG results, performance notes on the 1.6L turbo hybrid system, and what still needs improvement like downshift timing and acceleration feel. If you’re shopping a compact SUV that feels like a midsize, comparing a Sportage PHEV to options like the RAV4 Prime or Tucson PHEV, this breakdown helps you decide.

Subscribe for more car history, travel picks, and honest reviews, and if you enjoyed the mix, share the show and leave a quick rating and review. Which part surprised you most: glowing tires, glamping pods, or that plug-in hybrid mileage?

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A modern car can fail you in two very different ways: a broken part you can hear and feel, or a software and security issue you never see coming. We start with the real-world stuff first, running down this week’s biggest automotive recalls, including the Ford F-150 transmission problem that can trigger an unexpected downshift, plus a long list spanning Kia, Hyundai, Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Tesla, Volkswagen, and more. We also revisit the Takata airbag mess and the simple step that still matters most: check your VIN and get the remedy done through the manufacturer.

Then we lighten the mood with a listener-favorite game: “guess what it sold for.” We throw out bids on everything from a 1970 Dodge Coronet and an underappreciated 1984 Mustang convertible to a true jaw-dropper, a 1958 Chevrolet Impala convertible with a 409 that proves just how crazy classic car auction prices can get when rarity and originality line up.

To close it out, we share Texas driving destinations with a Hill Country twist: glamping for grown-ups. Think luxury tents, futuristic pods, hot tubs, big decks, dark skies, and easy weekend access from Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and DFW. We also hit the cruise-in and events calendar and a quick headline on Stellantis partnering with Microsoft on AI and cybersecurity for connected vehicles.

Subscribe for more weekly car talk, share this with your favorite gearhead, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What car would you gamble on in our “guess the price” game?

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Gas at $6.50 a gallon changes the mood of any car conversation fast, and it kicks off a wide ranging hang with auto journalist Jack Nerad as we compare California’s pump prices with the rest of the country and unpack the idea of a coastal “weather tax.” We talk about why the Golden State stays irresistible to visit even when the politics, taxes, and cost of living feel like a constant headwind, and what those pressures mean for everyday drivers.

From there, we get into the good stuff: what’s actually fun to drive right now. Jack’s pick, the Volvo V60 Cross Country, is a reminder that a great station wagon still has a place in 2026, especially when it’s practical and genuinely enjoyable on real roads. We also dig into electric vehicles with fresh impressions of the all electric Toyota C-HR and Subaru’s newest small EV, including the punchy acceleration that can surprise you even if you think you’re “over” EV hype. If you care about modern car reviews, EV performance, and how these new platforms change cabin space and driving feel, this conversation is for you.

Then we zoom out to car culture and automotive media. Why did car TV channels vanish while cooking and remodeling shows took over, and what replaces them now? We trade thoughts on low cost, high honesty content like Vice Grip Garage, and we debate NASCAR’s sliding ratings, confusing race formats, and how “stock cars” became hard to tell apart.

Jeff also brings a wild throwback with Goodyear’s glowing illuminated tires, a real experiment that sounded futuristic until road grime and physics showed up.

Subscribe, share this with a car friend, and leave a review if you want more smart, funny, real world car talk. What’s the most overpriced thing about driving where you live right now?

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Recalls are supposed to be rare. This week proves they’re practically a genre of automotive news all by themselves. We start by sorting through a big stack of safety and compliance issues across major brands, from Ford truck and SUV problems like wiper arm failures and trailer braking or signal concerns to GM’s backup camera glitches and even scarier talk of rear wheel lockup risk on diesel trucks and SUVs. If you follow automotive recalls, new car reliability, or just want to know what could affect your daily drive, you’ll leave with a clearer picture of what’s happening and why it matters.

Then we switch gears into pure fun with “Guess What It Sold For,” pulling recent online sale results and putting our instincts to the test. We bounce from an affordable 1968 Chevrolet Corvair and a scruffy 1967 Mustang convertible to a classy 1946 Cadillac Series 62, a 1972 Dodge Challenger, and a 1993 Ford Ranger that somehow still brings real money. The collector car market is equal parts logic and emotion, and you can hear that push and pull in every guess.

The jaw-dropper is a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette split-window “Fuely” that sells for $235,000, which leads to a real conversation about numbers-matching originality, rare mechanical fuel injection, and why some cars stop being transportation and start becoming rolling history. We also hit a quick Texas cruise-in and car show calendar, plus two big culture notes: Scout’s delayed return under Volkswagen and Ford replacing Carol Shelby street names with modern nameplates.

Subscribe for more car talk, share this with a friend who loves auctions or hates recalls, and leave a review with the one sale price that shocked you most.

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In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

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EV demand slows down, a classic American brand hints at a sedan return, and BMW flat-out says software is now the core of the car. That’s a lot of change for one Saturday, and we talk through what it means for real drivers and real enthusiasts when factories idle, platforms get shared, and “digital functions” become as important as horsepower.

We hit the week’s automotive news from multiple angles: GM’s EV production pause in Detroit, the surprising direction of Buick’s future lineup, and the broader race where legacy automakers are trying to keep pace with Tesla and the rapid-development mindset coming from Chinese electric vehicle makers. Along the way, we get nostalgic about the old auto show era of clay models and concept shells, then contrast it with today’s reality where the biggest upgrades often arrive as software, screens, and updates.

Then we switch gears into pure car culture with a mini deep-dive on the Model T Ford launch. If you’ve always believed it was black from day one or that the moving assembly line started immediately, you’ll want to hear the details. We wrap with a practical, boots-on-the-ground guide to swap meets in Texas, including why events like Lone Star Park, Conroe’s Hot Rods of Texas, and the massive Pate Swap Meet still matter if you love classic car parts, project builds, and the thrill of finding the right piece.

Subscribe for more weekly automotive news and car culture, share this with a friend who still loves the hunt for parts, and leave us a review. What’s the best deal or rare part you’ve ever found at a swap meet?

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The Ford Model T gets talked about like a simple origin story, but the real history is full of weird details and big misunderstandings. We walk through the facts that actually explain how the Model T changed American transportation and manufacturing, including what it cost in 1908, why “black only” became a thing, and how Ford’s choices around simplicity and efficiency helped put everyday drivers behind the wheel. We also clear up a major myth: the Model T didn’t launch with the moving assembly line, and the timing of that innovation matters if you want to understand how mass production really took over.

From there, we widen the lens to the human side of early cars and car culture. Starting a Model T could be physical and even dangerous, and the engineering workarounds like early ignition solutions show just how fast the auto industry was evolving. We also connect the Model T to a bigger story about roads and infrastructure, because the car shows up before America has proper roads, then helps create the demand to build them.

Then we shift gears into practical present-day fun: swap meets. We talk about how parts hunting has changed, which Texas swap meets still feel like the real deal, and the simple rules that make the day a win, like bringing cash, arriving early, and preparing to walk a lot.

Finally, Don shares a straight-shooting car review of the 2026 Subaru Uncharted EV, covering design, interior tech, comfort, range expectations, pricing, and competitors, plus a teaser about what happens when you actually commit to plugging in a plug-in hybrid. If you like car history, EV talk, and real-world ownership advice, hit subscribe, share this with a car friend, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway.

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In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as:

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