Q. General Motors' small Chevrolet Volt hybrid battery-powered car has gotten much publicity, although production isn't to start until the end of 2010. Also, the Volt reportedly will cost about $40,000 and is supposed to use lithium-ion batteries said to need much development to be practical in a "real-world" car. Wouldn't financially troubled GM be best off developing regular high-economy cars instead of pouring a fortune into the Volt? Also, the Volt production car looks frumpy -- unlike the Volt "concept" show car. I'd certainly applaud the car's 40-mile range on battery power with a fully charged battery pack and no use of its small backup gas engine. But why so much publicity about a car years away with unanswered questions? -- E.H., Chicago area

A. Because the Volt is from giant GM, which hopes the limited-production car will help the automaker regain its technology leadership image from Toyota and throw a spotlight on conventional models -- some of which will be sold here as U.S. versions of its economical European models. GM also is angling for government aid to develop the Volt and to provide a federal tax rebate for Volt buyers. GM might use Volt powertrain technology in some of its vehicles throughout the world. As for styling, the Volt show car wasn't aerodynamic enough for the best fuel economy. CNW Research's Retail Automotive Summary found in focus groups that more than 70 percent of participants felt the Volt's design "was common or uninspired. None considered it a breakthrough." However, successful hybrid cars need not look like Corvettes.

Q. Now that we're getting cooler weather in Chicago at night, what's the best temperature to quickly clean up the condensation on the windshield in the morning? Do you use the defrost setting with cold or warm air? --P.B., Chicago

A. The condensation is on the outside of the windshield, so it's best to use the defrost mode with warm air. However, warm engine coolant is needed to produce warm air, and it takes a while for the coolant to become sufficiently warm after you start the car. It's best for fuel economy to drive the car soon after starting it to warm the engine more quickly. Use the windshield wipers to periodically clear moisture from the windshield until the coolant is warm enough to work most effectively with the defroster.