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Chrysler Tests Less Toxic Antifreeze

24 February 1998

Chrysler Tests Less Toxic Antifreeze

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 24 -- Chrysler Corporation
, ARCO Chemical Company and Texaco are testing
a new antifreeze that is less toxic, will last five years or 100,000 miles and
uses up to 100 percent recycled propylene glycol.
    The antifreeze, also known as engine coolant, will be tested in a fleet of
Chrysler-owned vehicles through its employee lease program during a two-year
evaluation.
    "If approved, we will be able to provide the customer with a coolant that
is safer without sacrificing vehicle performance," states Robert Kainz,
Manager - Pollution Prevention and Remediation for Chrysler Corporation.
    Propylene glycol (PG) replaces ethylene glycol (EG) to make the new
coolant less harmful, and is dyed orange instead of green for differentiation.
The conventional additives used to block corrosion are replaced by an organic
material, which is depleted at a slower rate, thereby extending the coolant
life.
    ARCO Chemical manufactures the glycol and Texaco manufactures the organic
salt additives.
    Coolant is necessary to keep an engine from overheating, freezing-up and
corroding.
    Use of PG in place of EG helps to reduce the risk of poisonings as a
result of accidental ingestion by children and animals.  Radiator boil-overs,
leaks, spills and improper disposal of EG based coolants are common sources
for accidental poisonings of pets as well as animals in the wild.  PG is found
in limited amounts in a variety of consumer products including dog foods,
cosmetics and certain over-the-counter medications.  However, despite the
relative safety of PG, coolant is not intended for consumption.
    According to Glenn Cozzone, Manager of propylene glycol coolants for ARCO
Chemical, Chrysler is the first North American automaker to undertake a test
of this kind.  "Having an automaker of Chrysler's magnitude invest in this
type of evaluation is a very important milestone in the increasing acceptance
of propylene glycol coolants," says Cozzone.
    Texaco's Carmen Ulabarro, Product Coordinator - Coolants, added that this
evaluation presents additional opportunities for Texaco's extended life
coolant technology.  "By demonstrating that our technology is effective in
propylene glycol, we're working to assure our participation in the PG market
segment," explains Ulabarro.
    PG is widely used as a heat transfer fluid where low toxicity of the fluid
is important, such as in food processing plants and residential heating and
cooling systems.  It is commonly found in plumber's antifreeze, used to
winterize water systems in cabins, boats and recreational vehicles in which
both freeze protection and lower toxicity are critical parameters.  Recently,
it has been finding increasing use in aircraft de-icing fluids and in engine
coolants.
    ARCO Chemical is a leading worldwide manufacturer and marketer of
propylene oxide and derivatives and other intermediate chemicals.  Its
products are used in a wide range of consumer goods including automotive
components, foam cushioning, paints and coatings, antifreeze and reformulated
gasoline.  Additional information on the company can be accessed on the
Internet at http://www.archochem.com.
    Texaco's patented extended life coolant inhibitor contains no silicates,
nitrates, borates, phosphates, or amines or other abrasive dissolved solids
that can contribute to water pump seal failure.
    Texaco is a leading marketer of extended life coolants in the U.S. with
over 400 lubricant, coolant and fuel additive products on a global scale.
Additional information on the company can be found on the Internet at
http://www.texaco.com/tlc.

SOURCE  Chrysler Corporation