What is AdBlue

If you have just purchased or are looking to purchase a Diesel Car AdBlue is a product you will become very familiar with. It’s a Diesel additive that helps to reduce emissions produced by diesel engines. Car manufacturers are using this chemical to reach their emissions targets.

Just like fuel depending on how many miles you cover will determine how much Adblue you require and how often you have to re fill it. If you do not cover many miles it is possible you would not need to re fill between services however if you’re a high-mileage driver Adblue can become as frequent as filling Diesel. That’s because the more diesel you use, the most AdBlue will be consumed. Filling your AdBlue tank is generally as simple as adding fuel to your tank and most manufacturers even have the filling cap next to the fuel cap.

What is AdBlue made of?

AdBlue is a non-toxic liquid that’s colourless in appearance and is essentially a solution of water and urea – a substance found in urine. However, in AdBlue, the urea is exceptionally pure and is of a higher grade than that used in cosmetics, glue or fertilisers. Similarly, the water is demineralised, which is far cleaner than water from the tap.

When buying AdBlue, it is generally universal just like most fuel however you should check it meets the correct specification, so look for the ISO 22241 number on the packaging. This may also appear as ISO-22241-1, ISO-22241-2, ISO-22241-3. This will ensure the AdBlue doesn’t damage your car’s SCR catalyst – a costly repair. Assuming your AdBlue meets these specifications, one brand of AdBlue should be pretty much the same as another, in the same way that diesel fuel is fundamentally the same from one retailer to another.

What is AdBlue and why do we need it?

Vehicle producers are administered by different standards, and progressively these are driven by ecological concerns. The most recent regulations known as Euro 6, released in 2016 focused on the improvement of diesel motors. Quite a bit of this required better approaches to limit nitrogen-oxide outflows.

The innovation utilised is called specific reactant decrease, or SCR, which is an innovation that includes infusing exact measures of a fluid into the vehicle exhaust gases.

Does my car use AdBlue?

SCR innovation with AdBlue is ending up progressively ordinary, however isn’t yet fitted to each diesel vehicle. The newer your vehicle the more likely it is to require Adblue. Most drivers will not be aware of it until the point that a warning message appears on the dashboard advising the AdBlue tank needs refilling. If you are unsure if your vehicle requires Adblue you can check within your owners manual or contact the vehicle Manufacturer.If your vehicle does require Adblue the owners manual will advise the location of the filling tank. It is generally next to the fuel filler, however a few vehicles have it in the boot cover or engine bay.

How to refill AdBlue

Refilling AdBlue is generally quite simple all you need to do is open the AdBlue filler cap, screw on the spout to the Adblue bottle, then let the AdBlue drain into the tank.

Some cars require that you use the wheel brace to undo the AdBlue filling cap, and most require that you add a minimum amount (usually around three to five litres) when refilling, in order to remove the warning message from your car’s dashboard.

How to reset the AdBlue warning light

Just like a petrol reserve light the warning should go off provided you have added enough Adblue.

What happens if I run out of AdBlue?

Unlike fuel the car will not cut out once the Adblue runs out it will just prevent you from switching the engine back on once it has been turned off until you refill the tank.

How much AdBlue will my car use?

Just like fuel AdBlue consumption varies between vehicles however as an estimation for a standard 2.0 engine the consumption has been approximated as 1.5 Litres for every 500 miles. Again just like fuel the harder and faster you drive, the more AdBlue you’ll use.

How long does AdBlue last?

Just like any vehicle fluid AdBlue will eventually degrade over time however it is more than likely that you will need to replace it before this happens and you should see a message on the dashboard advising this.

Is AdBlue harmful?

Adblue is non-toxic however it is corrosive and can cause irritation to your skin, eyes and lungs, so ensure you wash your hands after filling and ideally wear gloves. Be sure to rinse any spills from the car’s bodywork or interior too as it can cause damage.

AdBlue cost

Typically Adblue at dealers or from petrol stations can cost around £2 Per Litre so unless you need to fill up urgently it is always best to shop the market. Car Parts stores as well as from online retailers usually have prices from around £1.40 Per Litre. Buy Adblue checks its prices in all market places to ensure it has the lowest prices with adblue starting from £0.70 including free UK Delivery.