Ep 12. Car Conundrum

Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman continue their quest to debunk urban legends and myths in the eighth season of the popular television series MythBusters. In episode 12, entitled "Car Conundrum," the duo investigate a number of automotive myths that are commonly believed, but may not actually be true.

The first myth that Adam and Jamie tackle in "Car Conundrum" relates to a common belief about car accidents. Many people believe that it is safer to ride in the backseat of a car during a crash, but is this really the case? To find out, the MythBusters construct a special crash-test dummy and put it through a series of simulated accidents while seated in the front and back of a car. Will their tests prove that the backseat is really safer?

Next up is another car myth, this one relating to fuel economy. Many drivers believe that if they keep their car windows rolled up, they will get better gas mileage than if they drive with the windows down. But is this true? To test this myth, the MythBusters travel to a racetrack and put two identical cars through their paces, one with the windows rolled up and the other with the windows down. Will there be a noticeable difference in their fuel efficiency?

The third myth that Adam and Jamie tackle in "Car Conundrum" is a common belief about car chases: can the driver of a car outrun a pursuing helicopter by driving in a tight circle? Many people believe that by driving in a tight enough circle, a car can create a vortex of air that will push away a helicopter and keep it from getting too close. To test this myth, the MythBusters take to the skies in a helicopter and attempt to stay close on the tail of a car as it performs tight circles on the ground. Will the car be able to throw the helicopter off its trail?

Finally, the MythBusters take a look at a strange story they've heard about a car that was driven to the top of a hill and left in neutral, only to mysteriously roll back down to the bottom. The legend goes that if the car rolls back up the hill again on its own, it means that the area is haunted by ghosts or spirits. To test this myth, Adam and Jamie travel to a spooky hill in the middle of the desert and attempt to recreate the conditions that caused the car to roll back down the first time. Will the car roll back up on its own, or is there a more logical explanation for what happened?

In "Car Conundrum," the MythBusters put a number of commonly held beliefs about cars to the test, using their signature blend of scientific testing and experimentation. With plenty of close calls, unexpected results, and exploding cars, this episode is a must-watch for anyone who loves fast cars and exciting mythology.