Q: My father called the “glove box” a “jockey box.” What can you tell us about jockey box history? I’m 78, so my parents are long gone, but I like to say jockey box when my grown grandkids are in the car so I can tell family stories.
A: I had to hunt down this one. I found a “Way With Words” podcast that said: “A bartender wonders about the origin of the term jockey box. In his world, a jockey box is a metal container for ice. However, in some parts of the western U.S., a jockey box is the glove compartment of a car, and much earlier, the term referred to boxes attached to the side of chuck wagons for holding feed or water.” Was your dad a bartender?
Brain power
Q: Hold the key fob against your temple and its range to operate is greatly increased. Try it.
A: I often turn to snopes.com to see if an urban legend is bunk. In this case, it’s true. Snopes says, “Famous ‘car guy’ Jeremy Clarkson announced to the ‘Top Gear’ audience that he had learned something that he found so astonishing he had to test it. It’s an oft-repeated claim, spread more like urban legend than actual fact. You can extend the range from which to lock or unlock your car simply by holding your key fob to your head.”
Don’t lose presets
Q: I want to add to your advice to a reader about her battery problem. There is a gadget that she can have installed that allows her to turn off the battery when she’s not driving the car for a while.
A: The gadget you refer to is a master switch, also called a kill switch. They are common on race cars, but I wouldn’t use it for my daily car. If the battery voltage is lost for an extended time, some components like radios presets and control modules may need to be reset. Some things will reset themselves while driving, but others will require your help.
Bob Weber is a writer, mechanic and ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician. His writing has appeared in automotive trade publications, Consumer Guide and Consumers Digest. Send automotive questions along with name and town to motormouth.tribune@gmail.com.
