Q: New cars do not seem to have CD players, including my 2019 Hyundai Sonata, so I copied more than 2,000 songs from the 1940s (I am 87) on a 128 GB thumb drive and the screen shows “No title No info” when I insert the thumb drive. The dealer said he doesn’t have a clue. Do you?
J.B., Monument, Colorado
A: You didn’t mention what application you used to copy the CD music (CDA files) to your thumb drive. In order to play, they must be converted to a different format. Unless you use Microsoft Media Player or other conversion software, the song titles may not copy over. You may see only labels like track 01 or track 02, for instance.
Q: You recently commented on a subject that trips my trigger. As any designer with a brain cell would know, handicapped-accessible parking should be located between the entrance door and the exit door. At Centennial Hills Home Depot in Las Vegas, it is located out in right field with the entrance door at first base and the exit door at third base forcing those who use it to walk the farthest of anyone. I complained to the customer service department at the store and received a blank stare and an email address for corporate customer service. My email got zip in return. I recently noticed that a local Costco just reduced the number of handicapped-accessible parking spaces next to the front door from 24 to 6. We really are second-class citizens.
G.H., Chicago
A: Twenty-four may be more spaces than needed but designated handicapped-accessible parking should always be located near the entrance/exit. While we are addressing pet peeves, I have yet to see a ticket on a vehicle without a handicapped-person license plate or card hanging from the mirror parked in a designated space.
Q: Last year I bought a new 2021 Honda CR-V, which now has 32,000 miles. I was recently told I need to have a brake fluid flush every 30,000 miles ($165). I am a 75-year-old and have owned cars for the past 50 years, and never once was I told I needed a brake line flush. I have never had a brake problem with any prior cars, and no problem with this car. Why is this all of a sudden a maintenance issue?
M.O., Lake Bluff, Illinois
A: Since brake fluid is hygroscopic, it attracts water. Water is the nemesis since it can boil, vaporize and cause poor braking. Moisture may also corrode internal parts. But this occurs over time, not mileage. For a 1-year-old car, it seems rather premature to flush the fluid.
Q: We have a 2019 Buick Envision with the 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine. My question centers around oils. It asks for Dexos to be used and I am wondering if other synthetics could be used without doing harm to the engine. Is there really any difference?
L.D., Burnsville, Minnesota.
A: Any brand of oil that meets the Dexos specification is fine to use in your car. Dexos will be stated on the bottle’s label. There is not much of a difference among brands and all are safe to use. I can’t provide a list because it would be too long and take up the whole column plus columns for the next few weeks.
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