Summary
Highlights
Mater, a private eye, is approached by Tia to find her sister, Mia, who has been car-napped. Mater describes his previous work, mostly small jobs, but believes this to be a significant case, involving counterfeit tires and sales on trailer hitches.
Tia informs Mater that Mia worked for 'Big D' at his club, the Carbana. Mater goes to the club to question the staff about Mia's whereabouts. After some persuasion, a club employee remembers Mia being with Big D and notes that she smelled 'salty like the ocean'.
Mater is confronted by Clyde, one of Big D's enforcers, who warns him to stop snooping. Later, Mater gets a tip from Stinky, who is dumping blowouts (flat tires). Stinky mentions that all the blowouts smell salty, reminding Mater of the docks, which he identifies as the location of Big D's operation.
Mater confronts Big D, who is revealed to be overseeing the counterfeit tire operation. Mater, having notified Lieutenant Lightning McQueen, leads the police to Big D's hideout. Lightning McQueen arrives and arrests Big D, along with Tia, who confesses to being involved to save her sister.
With Big D and Tia arrested, Mater reflects on the case, admitting he landed in a predicament. Tia suggests they pick up where they left off, prompting Mater to jokingly remark on their adventure. Lightning McQueen dismisses Mater's story as the most ridiculous thing he's ever heard.