old skool vs new skool car Q & A

[Ann T.]

Hello, Everyone!

Hope all is well with everyone. My mom traded in her 2000 Toyota for a 2011 Toyota, same model, right off the lot. It's got all the bells & whistles, but NO CD player??!! Did they stop putting them in cars, or is it a 'optional equipment' item in new cars now? Am I old skool or are my meds trippin' out my mind?
The salesman did ask me if I had an iPod, which I don't...I wanted to listen to a song in my head (non-epilepsy med induced, of course) on CD, but quickly discovered there wasn't a CD player when the message "No disc found." message popped into the display when I pressed the CD icon. I was so bummed out...Whoops, showin' my age to the young 'uns! Everyone take care & stay healthy, avoid the heat unless cooking.

[Rae1889]

are you sure? they should have a small slit. or an open top part for a cd to go in. if you have a CD button and the msg appears, you have a CD player. just where it is who knows. Which model is it and I can do some research for you. I have a friend who works as a salesman at a toyota dealership. she'll tell me in a second.

also, it would have the audio/video looking jack for an ipod to plug into the radio.

[Ann T.]

Hi, Rae:

Mom's car is a 2011 Toyota Avalon. And thank you & your friend in advance for doing the research. The manual says to press the audio & cd button & I should be able to insert the CD but, like you, haven't been able to find the CD slit.

[Nakamova]

Hmm, the base Toyota Avalon doesn't come with a CD player, but the "trim" package comes with a 6 CD changer -- do you know which package your mom got?

[Ann T.]

Hi, Nakamova:

I checked the auto sticker that lists the features, and yes, it does come with a 6 disc CD changer, so we must've gotten the trim package. Now my mission is to find the CD slit/slot. Maybe it's in the trunk, where you can stack a set of CD's & then just press the number CD you'd like to listen to...

[Nakamova]

The CD changer should be in the dash. If it's like the ones I've found pictured online, the CD slot should be horizontal, at the top of the audio section.

[Endless]

You are on the right track! "No CD Found" means there isn't a CD in the CD Changer.

The operating manual set usually has instructions on how to use the CD. I'm really surprised the salesman didn't go over how to use the CD with you and/or your mom. He didn't do a vehicle orientation with you and/or your mom after she bought it?

Have fun... I have a love/hate relationship with technology. I love it when it's working!

[Rae1889]

Nakamova is right. That's where it should be. But maybe drive down to the dealership and ask? Maybe she paid for the trim package and she has to make an appointment to install the CD player?

[Ann T.]

Hey Everyone!

I FOUND THE CD PLAYER! And no, Endless, the salesman didn't even teach us how to load the CD. After asking me if I had an iPod, I shook my head 'no', he shrugged his shoulders, probably figuring mom & I were 'old skool' & may not even know what a CD was...I, too, have a love-hate relationship with technology, Endless. And Nakamova, you are right. I just had to figure out which button to push to open up the CD player. AND...READ THE MANUAL. You have my blessing, go ahead & LOL everyone, I don't mind, because the manual is the place where I should've started. Hope everyone's doing well. And, thank you, once again.