Running out of AdBlue can significantly increase your car's emissions, and if left, can prevent your engine from starting altogether. AdBlue is a fuel additive designed to significantly reduce the nasty pollutants emitted by most diesel engines. In others, the cap is in the boot, or in the engine compartment. As a diesel car owner, it's highly likely your AdBlue tank will need topping up between services. AdBlue is a liquid solution of urea the stuff found in urine , and when it meets a hot exhaust system it releases ammonia which is a catalyst to a chemical reaction that converts dangerous Nitrogen Oxides into two harmless products — water vapour and Nitrogen.
That is because the system is both too large and too expensive to squeeze into small runabouts. In , the Polo emitted 1. The fluid is corrosive, so some car companies do not recommend this. Some cars have a blue or black screw cap for AdBlue next to the black diesel filler cap. Your car may also go into 'limp mode', reducing the speed at which you can drive. If you accidentally place AdBlue in your fuel tank do not drive your vehicle.
Both products occur naturally, and so can be pumped out of an AdBlue equipped car without any ill effects. How often do you need to refill the AdBlue? As well as being used in liquid form, AdBlue suppliers also make dry pellets for farmers to scatter on their fields as a form of fertiliser. Although it is possible to purchase the solution at the retail level, it is generally available only through a dealership or service shop. Do you use Adblue in your car or van? Emergency top-up bottles of AdBlue Some high-mileage drivers carry 1-litre emergency bottles of AdBlue in the boot of their car, safe in the knowledge that should they need to fill the system at short notice, they will be able to do so. Tell us what you think of it in the comments section below. If an AdBlue warning light has appeared on your dashboard, don't wait to top up.
Vauxhall offers to waive any labour charge if drivers bring their car in for a top-up. If you own a diesel vehicle built after 1 January 2014, it is highly likely you'll need AdBlue. Never add AdBlue directly to your fuel tank. The requirement for AdBlue® in the transport market is growing and so is our extensive network of AdBlue at the pump. Your handbook will explain that in detail.
But service intervals have risen, and the weight penalty of carrying up to 60-litres of AdBlue has an effect on C02 emissions and therefore company car tax rates. With technology such as turbocharging, manufacturers are making their engines ever more efficient, but sometimes a more radical idea is needed. Some vehicles have a small blue cap next to the black fuel cap under your fuel cap cover, on other vehicles the tank can be found in the boot or under the bonnet. Alternatively, garages and filling stations sell portable containers of AdBlue, as do many online retailers, such as Amazon. It is a well-known fact that diesel engines emit more harmful gases than petrol engines. For most diesel engines over 1.
Your car may also go into 'limp mode', reducing the speed at which you can drive. This urea-rich liquid is a fuel additive which, when added to your engine, is broken down into nitrogen and water vapour both naturally occurring products , significantly reducing the nasty pollutants emitted by your diesel engine. When you buy a new or used diesel car from a dealership, the sales person should explain what features it has and specifically whether it uses AdBlue. Although safe to handle and non-toxic, AdBlue can eat through some metals. If an AdBlue indicator has appeared on your dashboard, don't wait to top up. In recent years, laws have been introduced to deal with this increased pollution.
There is a separate tank for AdBlue which is generally located next to the fuel tank. It can also smell pretty bad if you spill a container of it — as we know from experience. How will drivers know if AdBlue needs topping up? The systems are designed with a capacity of several gallons seven to ten which translates into several thousands of miles. The stuff used in your car is a man-made substance created by exposing synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide to heat. Fortunately, you car will monitor consumption and give you a series of dashboard warnings as the level drops. You may even purchase small quantities—or order large containers for commercial use—to keep at home.
Browse or cars for sale What is AdBlue? So what is AdBlue made of? Failing to do so could invalidate the warranty. This is to ensure cars don't drive illegally with high exhaust emissions. Since 2014, one of the ways car manufacturers have dealt with stricter emissions laws is to introduce a mandatory chemical called AdBlue to diesel vehicles. AdBlue is a diesel exhaust fluid used in modern trucks that have a selective catalytic reduction system. The tank that holds the AdBlue solution varies in size between makes and models of car.
Automotive urea, in case you were wondering, is not an animal derived product although we do excrete urea in urine, it's at much lower concentrations. The Euro 6 regulations that came in last year have forced the makers of diesel cars in particular to find new ways to reduce harmful emissions. Some car makers, including Peugeot, suggest you take the car to a dealer, which will do a refill for a fixed price of £9. The AdBlue solution is comprised of 32. Prices start at roughly £5 for a 4. Over time, this increased pollution builds up, and can cause serious health problems and even smog and acid rain in densely populated areas.
Failing to act on these warnings will ultimately result in the car refusing to start until the AdBlue tank is filled. Topping up the tank is simplicity itself. Refilling the AdBlue tank is not a do-it-yourself task. The resulting chemical breakdown and re-bonding of the constituent elements of each reactant produce plain nitrogen and water vapor instead of harmful oxides of. Can drivers refill it themselves, and how much does it cost? Mercedes and Volkswagen, for example. The rate it is consumed depends on the driving style; the more economical drivers are, the slower it will be used up. According to a Cummins Filtration report on the standard, AdBlue freezes at 12 degrees Fahrenheit, but the process of freezing and thawing does not degrade the product as the water in the urea solution will freeze and thaw as the fluid does.