McNeely, thanks for this VERY good information !

Frank

On May 16, 2014, at 3:29 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:

> Hmmm ..... .  Hard to know what is going on here.  I found this on Prestone=
> 's web site:
> 
> "Q:  Does Prestone=C2=AE Antifreeze/Coolant contain phosphates?
> A: Some European automobile manufacturers request that a phosphate-free ant=
> ifreeze be used in their vehicles. This issue is related to the extremely h=
> igh mineral content of the water in Europe. If you were to mix an antifreez=
> e that contained phosphates with the type of water they have in Europe, it =
> may produce deposits that can settle in the cooling system and promote corr=
> osion. However, in North America we do not have this type of water problem.=
> Typical North American coolants have contained phosphates (which is part o=
> f the corrosion inhibitor package) for many years. Therefore, the question =
> of phosphates is a non-issue here in North America. Prestone=C2=AE Antifree=
> ze/Coolant is completely safe for use in both foreign and domestic vehicles=
> . For those consumers who would feel more comfortable using a phosphate-fre=
> e antifreeze, our Prestone=C2=AE LongLife=C2=AE Premixed Antifreeze/Coolant=
> and Prestone=C2=AE Dex-Cool=C2=AE Premixed LongLife=C2=AE Antifreeze/ Cool=
> ant formula=E2=80=99s are phosphate, silicate, and borate free. These coola=
> nts use a special chemistry and technology that extends the life of the cor=
> rosion inhibitor package so that it lasts for five years or 240,000 kms (wh=
> ichever comes first), and is safe for all cars and light trucks (old or new=
> ). Prestone=C2=AE  Dex-Cool=C2=AE Premixed LongLife=C2=AE Antifreeze/ Coola=
> nt has been approved by General Motors under their DEX-COOL=C2=AE specifica=
> tions and is compatible with other DEX-COOL=C2=AE approved coolants.
> * DEX-COOL=C2=AE is a registered trademark of General Motors Corporation."
> 
> http://prestone.com/products/antifreeze_coolant/product_list
> 
> 
> The product mentioned in the answer to the question is shown in a yellow bo=
> ttle.  Whether it is a diluted form of the Prestone Extended Life Antifreez=
> e/Coolant also in a yellow bottle is not clear, as is whether that product =
> is phosphate free (based on product descriptions on the Preston web site). =
> I would not trust any product to be phosphate free unless the manufacturer=
> made the claim that it was in print.
> 
> As to there being high phospate waters in Europe but not in the U.S., that =
> is simply not true.  There are lots of water sources in the U.S. that are h=
> igh phosphate, especially ones that receive agricultural or urban runoff.  =
> Most watersheds receive both.
> 
> mcneely