2025 usb flash drive for audio flaky

[Lazy Bones]

I have a flash drive that has about 20 albums on it. Each album has between 10 and 20 songs each. This flash drive has worked well in my previous automobiles – a Honda, and even an older equinox. However, in this 2025 equinox, it fails to recognize some of the albums, and then some of the albums it fails to recognize more than the first song. Sometimes it will display all the songs in an album, but only be able to play the first one. I’ve called Chevy customer support about this, and nobody there seems to know anything about how this works. One person suggested that maybe Google wrote the software. All my music is in MP3 files, and I have re-recorded them several times, using different sampling rates. None of that helped. I’ve used other flash drives. that didn’t help either. Does anybody have a practical suggestion?

 

[BruceC]

I have a similar problem on my 2022. When I reformatted the flash drive using the NTFS file system (not the Fat32) using mp3 file format I had much better results. This did not read/play 100
% of the recorded files but it jumped form about 30% to well over 75%.

 

[Lazy Bones]

The manual on the 2025 EV version of the car ( I don't have that version - mine burns gas) says that FAT 32 and FAT 64 are ok, but specifically says to not use nfts. Maybe I'll try it anyway. Also, when using the radio, the system randomly changes stations on me - not often but occasionally. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[BruceC]

I double checke my thumb drive after reading your reply to verify the NTFS file system. I will have to go back and read my 2022 manual to see if it says anything about the NTFS file system.

I also forgot to mention I use USB 2.0 have not tried the 3.0 version of the USB

 

[Lazy Bones]

NTFS made no change. I don't know how to determine the USB version I'm using. It's not "C".

 

[ricklack]

NTFS made no change. I don't know how to determine the USB version I'm using. It's not "C".

often USB 2.0 will have black plastic connector (inside the metal) and 3.0 will be blue. Most 3.0 will be labeled, unless you're getting the cheap made in China sticks

 

[Lazy Bones]

I have several sticks which are imported from an exoctic asian nation (can you guess ?), and they have grey inserts. Also some with black. No blue.

 

[Autoworker 74]

I have a flash drive that has about 20 albums on it. Each album has between 10 and 20 songs each. This flash drive has worked well in my previous automobiles – a Honda, and even an older equinox. However, in this 2025 equinox, it fails to recognize some of the albums, and then some of the albums it fails to recognize more than the first song. Sometimes it will display all the songs in an album, but only be able to play the first one. I’ve called Chevy customer support about this, and nobody there seems to know anything about how this works. One person suggested that maybe Google wrote the software. All my music is in MP3 files, and I have re-recorded them several times, using different sampling rates. None of that helped. I’ve used other flash drives. that didn’t help either. Does anybody have a practical suggestion?

I have a 10 year old Mp3 that worked in three cars. It won't work on the 25. It says not supported or something like that. Plus the radio cuts out quite a lot.
If your label says 41psi and you go 35psi you will get emails and warnings on your dash about low air pressure. I haven't noticed any difference in the ride at 41psi but I am going to keep it there because they must have a reason.

 

[ricklack]

I was just looking in the 2025 ICE owners manual and noticed that the center console USB port is used for Surround Vision Recording, if equipped. You need to enable this through the Infotainment Settings, so one would think this would not be an issue if you A) don't have it, or B) don't have it enabled. If you do have this feature, perhaps it does affect other operations of that USB port. Hope that helps somehow.

 

[Rad10eng]

I have been using USB sticks for years in all my Cheys's. Some things they all seem to have in common: 1. 32 GB limit per folder. 2. Must use FAT 32 format. 3. Can play MP3 or WAV formats. 4. You can partition a larger drive, but abide by the 32 Gb limit per folder. That is all.