Ask our experts

Is a certain percentage of synthetic motor oil required for the oil to be called semi-synthetic?

Tim Quandt Thornton, CO

No. Standards for motor oil are based on performance, not a formula, the American Petroleum Institute says. Oils labeled "API certified" meet performance requirements set by U.S. and international vehicle and engine makers and the lubricant industry.

I want a new 46-inch LCD TV. Will I be able to use my VHS tape player and recorder and my DVD disc player?

Luther Haas Colorado Springs, CO

Yes, your old VCR and DVD player will work with a new LCD or plasma TV. All TVs have video-input connections that work with the latest equipment and older products. But the S-video-type connector is becoming rare on TVs, so check whether a certain model has that connection if you need it.

How do I find a financial planner for my in-laws? I need an expert in senior issues such as in-home and long-term care.

Dimitrios Jaffe New York

They need a comprehensive financial plan. A Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Consultant, or certified public accountant/personal financial specialist has taken courses and passed exams in relevant subjects. Ask about their experience with seniors and whether the planner provides services with the "duty of care of a fiduciary," meaning they're obliged to base their advice on your in-laws' best interests and disclose conflicts of interest. Check for red flags at www.cfp.net/search, www.finra.org/brokercheck, and www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Why do twirly compact fluorescent lights brighten quickly and twirly CFLs inside floodlights brighten slowly?

Simon Lichtenstein Brooklyn, NY

A covered CFL, such as a floodlight, usually runs hotter than an open spiral bulb, and the heat can limit light output. To compensate, many bulb makers use a mercury amalgam that improves light levels. But it makes the bulbs slower to brighten.

My optometrist insists that I use a brand-name contact solution, not a less expensive store brand. He claims the store brand is inferior. True?

Jon Leif Byron, MN

No. Brand-name contact-lens solutions are cleared by the Food and Drug Administration. Once a company gets clearance, it can sell the formula to companies such as Rite Aid and Walmart, which may distribute the product under the store name. But a store brand can't change the formula unless it, too, gets FDA clearance.

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