VW Bug Hero

Time for a new puzzler. This one is an oldie, but a goodie, as they say.

Here we go.

There was a very steep hill, and no one could drive this one particular old VW bug up the hill.

One of the problems was that the crowds lined the route up the hill, and everyone who attempted the climb had to skillfully avoid accidentally flattening a spectator, as the crowd was so large.

People tried everything. They tried running starts and they would get part of the way up. But the bug couldn't make it the whole way. The car just didn't have enough power.

Ultimately, a hero emerged. Everyone else was afraid of running over spectators, but not him. He knew he couldn't concentrate on the task at hand if he spent time looking through the windshield, so he didn't. So he got in the car, pointed it up the hill, and not looking through the windshield, gave it all the gas he could. He drove believing that he would make it to the top and not flatten anyone.

The car redlined as he approached the hill, the engine screamed in agony. He floored it as the car started to climb higher and higher. He kept his foot on the gas and trusted that he'd make it. He used all his concentration.

Finally, he made it over the top. He succeeded. The crowd surged around the bug, and as his concentration waned, he glanced through the windshield and saw that all was well.

What was the secret to his success?

Good luck!

Answer the Puzzler »

Remember last week's puzzler?

Precautions

Just in time for the end of summer.

Here it is. This is from a while ago. Back in the 1990s.

I was going on a trip at the beginning of January and I parked my car at the bus station. The weather forecast was bitter cold and I was worried about starting my car when I returned.

I didn't have any of that fancy engine heater or special oil, but I did take one precaution.

When I returned from my trip five days later, the area had been suffering from five straight days of sub-zero temperatures. Yet when I turned the key, my engine roared to life to the surprise of all the other people in the parking lot whose engines wouldn't start.

They were all stunned. What precaution did I take that allowed my engine to start so quickly?

Remember, this happened a while ago now. So this wasn't a fancy EV or anything like that. Just a good old regular car.

Good luck.