Fairfield-Echo

Wheels: An e-mail from Bob S. of Springboro says, "I have older Fords that take conventional ethylene glycol and a newer GM car that takes Dexcool. The retail stores seem to have stopped selling real Dexcool and are selling "universal antifreeze." It appears to be ethylene glycol without silicates. The old standby, silicated ethylene glycol, is still available in stores (for now).

What is your opinion about replacing the factory fill (whether it be ethylene glycol or Dexcool), or adding to, with the universal antifreeze? Are there any implications down the road?"

Halderman: I, too, see universal antifreeze. All or most are still ethylene glycol based and the only difference is in the additive package, either organic acids or silicates and phosphates. I don't see how a universal coolant could be made that meets all of the requirements. I suggest using only the coolant that is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

P.S. from Bob: (Notice to readers — technical information follows) "Did you notice that the new fuel-cell powered vehicle just announced by Honda has a 288V lithium ion pack? I know that batteries are required to run some auxiliaries and pumps (especially to get the fuel cells online), but the pack is really for acceleration and energy storage. Fuels cells are energy conversion devices, not storage devices. Instantaneous peak power capability will have to come from storage devices, such as batteries or super (ultra) capacitors.

The Chevrolet Volt is in the right direction but will be "pricey." I've worked with lithium ion batteries in my daily work. Low impedance gives greater acceleration due to higher current output capability than conventional LiIons. I'm still not sure about the number of life cycles. They have the same problem as conventional lithium ion cells, in that, uncontrolled charging below freezing can cause dangerous lithium plating of the cells.

The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is in the right direction, though. It truly is an electric car that is waiting for developed fuel cells or higher capacity batteries.

I am glad that the Toyota and Honda hybrids came along earlier since it was a platform to develop the electric car while industry continues on developing a reliable power source (batteries or fuel cells). This has allowed a lot of subsystems of an electric car to be perfected."

Halderman: The new technology is coming to the marketplace faster every year. I, too, share your concern about the lithium ion batteries. Toyota had announced that the next-generation Prius was to use the lighter and more powerful lithium-ion batteries instead of the nickel-metal hydride batteries now used on most hybrid electric vehicles. Toyota was concerned about service life, which can take years to confirm. You are correct that hybrid vehicles have started some changes already. For example, electric power steering, used in all hybrid electric vehicles, is now being used in many new vehicles.