ADBlue Servicing Now Here
The latest emissions regulations, referred to as Euro 6, came into force in 2016 and created a bit of a challenge for diesel engines, namely finding new ways to minimise nitrogen-oxide emissions.
The technology employed is called selective catalytic reduction, or SCR, which involves injecting precise amounts of AdBlue into the vehicle exhaust to produce a chemical reaction which neutralises harmful emissions.
What is AdBlue?
AdBlue is a solution made up of urea and deionized water which is injected into the car’s exhaust system, helping to reduce nitrous oxide emissions that are produced by diesel engines. It reacts with the nitrogen oxide gas that’s produced by the engine and breaks it down into nitrogen and oxygen – much less harmful to the environment. With car manufacturers looking to lower emission, AdBlue is now being used in a growing number of diesel cars.
Does my car come with AdBlue?
Most new diesel cars come with AdBlue technology. Manufacturers like Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes, Peugeot, Citroen, and Jaguar all feature AdBlue technology, but may not publicise it. You may notice though that the makes give hint towards its inclusion of this new technology, for example; Peugeot and Citroen’s BlueHDi engines and Volkswagen, which includes the initials SCR in the name of its diesel cars.
Some cars have a blue or black screw cap for AdBlue next to the black diesel filler cap. In others, the cap is in the boot, or in the engine compartment. The vehicle handbook will explain the requirements of your car’s system.
When do I need to top up AdBlue?
The car’s driver information display screen should flash up warnings, much as it would if fuel or windscreen washer fluid were low. Failing to act on these warnings will ultimately result in the car refusing to start until the AdBlue tank is filled.
Only very small amounts of AdBlue are used at a time, so you won’t need to top up as you do with fuel, but it’s important that you don’t let supplies run out. Different driving styles, journey types and driving conditions will have an impact on how much AdBlue is used.
PDL MOT and Repairs will refill AdBlue as part of the car’s routine service. However, it’s possible to refill a tank of AdBlue yourself. Some service stations have AdBlue dispensing pumps. Alternatively, garages and filling stations sell portable containers of AdBlue, as do many online retailers, with prices starting at roughly £5 for a 4.7-litre container.
Additional information
If your car has a warranty, it’s important to use branded AdBlue solution. For any solution to use this trademark, it must comply with certain standards that vehicle manufacturers’ SCR systems rely on. Failing to do so could invalidate the warranty.
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 stuff used in your car is a man-made substance created by exposing synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide to heat. 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.
If you’ve got any concerns or questions about the use of AdBlue in your diesel car, then don’t hesitate to give us a call.