Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - (Page 18) 18 • OCTOBER 20, 2008 green car Urea must flow or new diesels won’t go Clean systems need additive to cut exhaust emissions Tim Moran autonews@crain.com Fill ’em up Some diesel-powered vehicles will come with a tank for the urea solution needed to reduce emissions. Here are details on diesel emissions fluid. What is it? A solution of 32.5% urea in de-ionized water. How is it used? The solution is injected in small amounts into an exhaust catalyst. How does it work? The urea combines with the pollutant NOx to form inert nitrogen and water. What if the fluid runs out? The catalyst can’t function without the urea, so exhaust NOx is emitted. To prevent that from happening, some vehicles won’t start if the urea tank is empty. Mercedes sales staffers: Get ready for ribald jokes about standard-equipment urinals and emergency fill-ups when you explain to customers that they have a new fluid level to check. Those gags already are rife in the online community’s discussions of the urea additive used to reduce exhaust emissions in some diesel-powered vehicles. Dealers of other brands won’t be immune, either. Any dealership that sells a diesel vehicle eventually may have to contend with urea. And it doesn’t end with jokes. Mercedes expects to refill the urea tank in its diesel vehicles when customers return to the dealership every 10,000 miles for regularly scheduled maintenance. If customers fail to do so and the tank isn’t refilled, the driver could be stranded. Mercedes warns the driver with an instrument panel light if the tank falls below one gallon of fluid. If the urea level gets “critically low,” a counter will appear on the dashboard saying 20 restarts remain. “It will count down, and if you ignore all those warnings, then it won’t start,” said Dan Barile, a MercedesBenz USA spokesman. a small spray of injected urea, carried in a separate tank on the vehicle. Without the urea, the catalyst does nothing to treat the exhaust. These systems have been used for years in commercial trucks in Europe. But for North America, the advent of the clear fluid means educating drivers to the value of the system. group has developed standards for refill nozzles and urea filler tank necks. AluMag Automotive LLC is providing a no-spill, tamper-proof refill bottle that drivers can use on their own when refueling, said Roberto Boeker, the suburban Detroit representative for the market service company. Boeker said the bottle — designed by Kruse KG, a Balve, Germany, chemical company — gives motorists a simple way to add up to one-half gallon of solution to their urea holding tank. “The idea is really to have a closed system, for many reasons,” he said. “If you spill urea anywhere, you are going to have a mess. Let it dry, and it’s still going to be a mess.” Boeker said the ammonia-like smell of the solution increases with heat and can be “quite strong.” When a spill dries, the urea crystals remain. The Kruse bottles are designed to not discharge the liquid until they are safely screwed on. The bottles include overflow protection and a venting mechanism so that any vapors from refilling end up in the bottle. ‘Quality is the key’ Mercedes introduced urea injection technology on three vehicles that went on sale in the United States on Oct. 1. From left, the R320, ML320 and GL320. Each vehicle must undergo EPA certification for a system that is tamper-proof and will not allow drivers to continue operating if the vehicle is polluting. Automakers can take different approaches to make sure drivers refill the urea tank. Mercedes introduced the urea injection technology on its ML320 and R320 crossovers and GL320 SUV, which went on sale Oct. 1. Mercedes also will introduce the system on the E320 sedan in the 2010 model year. If a car won’t start because it’s out of urea, either the driver or a Mercedes roadside-assistance technician will need to add at least two gallons of fluid to the urea tank for the system to reset, allowing the engine to start again. rect urea concentration. A separate NOx sensor monitors the exhaust. Filling up with water won’t suffice. Mercedes has chosen to put a seven-gallon tank into its SUVs and crossovers (8.5 gallons for the R320), which will be checked and refilled as part of regularly scheduled maintenance. The tank occupies what would have been the spare wheel well, so there is no spare tire. The vehicles will have run-flat tires, and Mercedes roadside assistance will be available for tire replacement, Barile said. In the United States, the generic term for the urea solution is diesel emissions fluid. Mercedes and its dealers will use the solution’s European trade name, AdBlue. That name comes from a European working group that includes engine and vehicle manufacturers and refiners. The same Using the bottles rather than a dealership’s bulk replenishment system could be pricey. Mercedes will charge $7.75 for the half-gallon bottle, Barile said. While bulk generic urea prices haven’t been set, the solution should not cost more than diesel fuel, said Matt Green, vice president of commercial operations for Terra Environmental Technologies Inc. The Sioux City, Iowa, company is a unit of Terra Industries Inc., one of the largest urea providers in the United States. Terra Industries’ fluid is called TerraCair. Green warned that consumers who try to use the cheaper, agriculturegrade urea instead of automotivegrade solution could cause themselves expensive trouble. The two are not interchangeable because of differences in quality, purity and concentration. “Quality is the key,” he said, because “this little injector that’s spraying over the catalyst bed is probably about as big as your pencil lead.” c Not urine The urea solution used in cars isn’t urine. It is synthesized from natural gas. Although not much is used at a time, the fluid initially will be at least as expensive as diesel fuel. Most European and North American automakers are working on the urea-SCR system for introduction in North American passenger vehicles because it is the cheaper of two competing technologies. The more expensive alternative is the NOx storage catalyst, or NOx trap. It captures the pollutant and periodically changes the engine’s air-to-fuel mixture to burn off the NOx. The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, the first diesel car to meet emissions requirements in all 50 states, uses a NOx trap. An EPA spokeswoman said the agency is technology-neutral and doesn’t care whether vehicles use urea or another system. Clean diesels’ downside Modern clean diesel engines, which deliver high torque and high miles per gallon, have been promoted as alternatives to hybrid or electric vehicles. But the Clean Air Act and some state emissions standards mean many new diesel systems will have to use a selective catalyst reduction, or SCR, to eliminate oxides of nitrogen, or NOx, a byproduct of diesel combustion. NOx is one of the main ingredients in the formation of ground-level ozone. It contributes to both global warming and acid rain, the EPA says. The catalysts in a diesel engine use Can’t water it down Sensors in the tank detect the cor- Hankook plans to bring fuel-saving tire to North America Gary Anglebrandt autonews@crain.com SEOUL — Hankook Tire Co. will sell a fuel-saving tire in North America. The tire is sold in South Korea as Enfren, for environmentally friendly. Hankook says Enfren cuts rolling resistance by 21 percent and improves fuel economy by at least 2 percent. Low-rolling-resistance tires glide more easily across the road thanks to less weight, specialized tread patterns and tweaked chemical compounds. This leads to better fuel economy. Hankook is moving toward lighter, more environmentally friendly tires for all markets and segments, says Global CEO Suh Seung-hwa. The company, facing rising raw material costs, wants lighter tires that contain fewer materials. Customers, both Global CEO Suh Seung-hwa: Hankook is moving toward lighter, more eco-friendly tires for all markets and segments. consumers and automakers, want tires that save fuel. Enfren enumerated Hankook Tire’s Enfren — for environmentally friendly — tire offers less rolling resistance, which improves fuel economy. Here are the tire’s numbers. Cuts rolling resistance by 21% Improves fuel economy by 2% Costs 6% more than regular tires Source: Hankook Tire Tricky tradeoff But it’s tricky. “The important thing in rolling resistance,” says Suh, is that “we should have at the same time good grip. If you brake the car, it should stop.” An engineer can lower the depth of tread grooves to reduce resistance — but grip of the road surface also is reduced, says Gim Gwang-heon, executive vice president of r&d. So engineers prefer steps other than more shallow treads. “That comes last,” Gim says. Hankook plows 5 percent of annual revenue into r&d. On 2007 sales of 3.59 trillion won, or $2.88 billion at current exchange rates, that r&d spending comes to $144 million. In June, Hankook approved a $19 million annual increase in spending for environmental research. The company’s goal is to reduce rolling resistance by 10 percent in the short term and 30 percent in five to 10 years. Much of the technology has been around for a while, Hankook executives said at a media event last month at company headquarters. Hankook’s first crack at a fuel-efficient tire came eight years ago in Korea, but consumers didn’t want it, says Lee Soo-il, vice president of marketing. Lower, but at higher price Lower rolling resistance means higher prices. In Korea, Enfren sells at a 6 percent premium over Hankook’s standard passenger-car tire. Still, better-than-expected sales here have prompted Hankook to expand the Enfren lineup from three sizes to 14 by the end of this year, Lee says. Hankook supplies many automakers, but so far Enfren seems to be an aftermarket-only tire. The tire will arrive in North America late next year or early in 2010, Lee says. Hankook may want to step on it. Bridgestone Corp. began selling its new
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - October 20, 2008 Automotive News - October 20, 2008 Amazingly, vehicle inventories are low An upside of the big slide: Raw material prices dip â for now With GMAC out, banks trickle in Get your daily Automotive News - in video form, starting Nov. 3 Honda's Fukui favors fed loans, confirms V-8 To move the metal, Mike Kahn moves the store Hyundai airbag flaw tied to drink spills Texas promo: Buy a GM vehicle, get GM stock Chrysler's uphill road in China GM/Chrysler? Anything's possible GM/Chrysler deal? Companies' pension plans may need cash Acura dealers: A V-8 engine is on the way Buyers pursue former Heard stores Honda: We're still lending Gilles, Ligocki will speak at congress Fed list promotes high-mileage cars Party time: Saturn turns to grass-roots marketing Online inventory service aims to cut dealer costs Document fees must not become a dirty little secret Just put up a 'For Sale' sign Cash for clunkers? Scrap the idea Arbitration can work for everyone It's time we control our own destiny GM missed boat on Cheyenne, Volt Sept. truck sales fall 7.4% Microheat seeks Chapter 11 At Bosch, r&d spending remains strong GM's new diesel opens up, loses weight Urea must flow or new diesels won't go Hankook plans to bring fuel-saving tire to North America Odell: I can help Volvo tap more potential So far, BMW cruises above the credit crisis Jatco builds China plant to meet expanding CVT demand 10 appointed at American Axle Personnel Milestones Obituaries Supplier Personnel Biking buddies Ford targets fleets with parental control key European sales fall; VW group bucks the trend 11 innovators win honorable mention 25 finalists selected for 2009 PACE awards Suppliers to the 2009 BMW X6 GMAC's loan cutbacks cost GM thousands of auto sales Credit tops agenda for NADA chief 'Flash' draws modest cash at theaters Booth's new berth sparks CEO speculation at Ford Economy's skid sends ritzy toys to eBay Report: Mazda scraps plan for U.S. plant GM's quandary: Finding loans for the imperfect Taylor to Hummer - and then ... ? Tough times at Tesla Automotive News - October 20, 2008 Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - (Page Intro) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - With GMAC out, banks trickle in (Page 1) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - With GMAC out, banks trickle in (Page 2) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Texas promo: Buy a GM vehicle, get GM stock (Page 3) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Companies' pension plans may need cash (Page 4) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Companies' pension plans may need cash (Page 5) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Gilles, Ligocki will speak at congress (Page 6) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Gilles, Ligocki will speak at congress (Page 7) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Online inventory service aims to cut dealer costs (Page 8) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Online inventory service aims to cut dealer costs (Page 9) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Online inventory service aims to cut dealer costs (Page 10) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Online inventory service aims to cut dealer costs (Page 11) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Arbitration can work for everyone (Page 12) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Arbitration can work for everyone (Page 13) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - GM missed boat on Cheyenne, Volt (Page 14) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - GM missed boat on Cheyenne, Volt (Page 15) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Microheat seeks Chapter 11 (Page 16) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Microheat seeks Chapter 11 (Page 16A) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Microheat seeks Chapter 11 (Page 16B) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Microheat seeks Chapter 11 (Page 16C) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Microheat seeks Chapter 11 (Page 16D) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Microheat seeks Chapter 11 (Page 17) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Hankook plans to bring fuel-saving tire to North America (Page 18) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Hankook plans to bring fuel-saving tire to North America (Page 19) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Hankook plans to bring fuel-saving tire to North America (Page 20) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Hankook plans to bring fuel-saving tire to North America (Page 21) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Odell: I can help Volvo tap more potential (Page 22) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Odell: I can help Volvo tap more potential (Page 23) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - So far, BMW cruises above the credit crisis (Page 24) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - So far, BMW cruises above the credit crisis (Page 24A) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - So far, BMW cruises above the credit crisis (Page 24B) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - So far, BMW cruises above the credit crisis (Page 24C) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - So far, BMW cruises above the credit crisis (Page 24D) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - So far, BMW cruises above the credit crisis (Page 25) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Obituaries (Page 26) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Biking buddies (Page 27) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Biking buddies (Page 28) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Biking buddies (Page 29) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Biking buddies (Page 30) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Biking buddies (Page 31) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - European sales fall; VW group bucks the trend (Page 32) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - European sales fall; VW group bucks the trend (Page 33) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Suppliers to the 2009 BMW X6 (Page 34) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - GMAC's loan cutbacks cost GM thousands of auto sales (Page 35) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Credit tops agenda for NADA chief (Page 36) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Credit tops agenda for NADA chief (Page 37) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Tough times at Tesla (Page 38) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Tough times at Tesla (Page 39) Automotive News - October 20, 2008 - Tough times at Tesla (Page 40)
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