AdBlue is a liquid added to diesel cars that reduces the harmful emissions they can create. AdBlue is actually a brand name for what's technically known as diesel exhaust fluid. It's a solution of distilled water and urea, a substance found in urine and fertilisers.
What is blue diesel fuel?
Fuel high in sulfur and sold for uses off the road is blue; fuel low in sulfur and sold largely for tax-exempt highway uses is red.
Do all diesels need AdBlue?
Only Diesel vehicles fitted with an SCR catalytic converter are affected. Originally, AdBlue® was used only by heavy vehicles, but nowadays more and more private vehicles are working with AdBlue®.
What happens if you drive without AdBlue?
What happens if your car runs out of AdBlue? If you run out of AdBlue while you're driving, then the engine's power and performance will be reduced to 'limp home' mode to limit its emissions and once the engine has stopped, it won't re-start until the AdBlue tank is refilled.
What is the blue stuff for diesel engines?
AdBlue is the trade name for a type of diesel exhaust fluid. It's a mixture of urea and deionised water that's stored in a separate tank from the car's fuel. When the car's engine is running, tiny amounts of AdBlue are squirted onto the exhaust gas produced, turning the NOx into nitrogen and water.
19 related questions foundCan I refill AdBlue myself?
Can I top up with AdBlue® myself? Yes, you can top up with AdBlue® yourself. Every TotalEnergies service station sells standard 5L and 10L cans of AdBlue®. TotalEnergies is also gradually deploying special pumps for light vehicles.
Is AdBlue made from urine?
Is AdBlue® made from pigs' urine? AdBlue® is a synthetic, highly purified solution of urea and demineralized water NOT pigs urine. Whilst the chemical urea is in pigs' urine, it is found in much lower concentration alongside many other elements.
Where is AdBlue injected?
The AdBlue® is injected into the exhaust pipe between the engine and the SCR catalyst. When it heats up in the exhaust pipe, the AdBlue® decomposes into ammonia. The nitrogen dioxides (NOx) in the exhaust fumes react with the ammonia in the catalyst to form nitrogen, the main component of the air we breathe, and steam.
How long will AdBlue last?
A full tank of AdBlue should last between 6,000 and 7,000 miles, on average. 1 litre of Adblue lasts around 600 miles, but this can be affected by your driving style. The more fuel your vehicle uses, the more AdBlue it will consume as well.
How do I know when AdBlue tank is full?
Simply tip the solution into the car and when you're full, you're full! Most vehicles with AdBlue will have a gauge of how full the tank is buried somewhere in the car's infotainment. Keep searching until you find it, and you'll know how much AdBlue you need.
Why do some diesel cars need AdBlue?
AdBlue is a liquid added to diesel cars that reduces the harmful emissions they can create. AdBlue is actually a brand name for what's technically known as diesel exhaust fluid. It's a solution of distilled water and urea, a substance found in urine and fertilisers.
What happens if you put diesel in AdBlue tank?
If you start up with an AdBlue® tank filled with Diesel, you risk causing very serious damage to your vehicle's SCR system. If you do start up, you vehicle will begin to behave strangely. Park up as soon as possible to avoid causing more damage to your car.
Who uses AdBlue?
AdBlue is common in trucks and is now used in a number of late-model diesel cars and SUVs produced by a growing number of manufacturers including Renault, Citroen, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Ford, Mazda, and Toyota. Mercedes-Benz calls its AdBlue systems “BluTec”.
Is dyed diesel the same as regular diesel?
There is no chemical difference between on-road and off-road diesel fuels. On-road diesel, also known as clear diesel, can be purchased at the local gas station. Off-road diesel is dyed red and is sold through bulk distributors. The only differences are in the color, cost, and intended use.
Why is dyed diesel illegal?
Why is red diesel illegal? Red diesel is illegal for on-road vehicles because it's not taxed. Federal and state governments have strict standards in place about its use in on-road engines. Distributors and fuel retailers cannot knowingly supply on-road vehicles with this type of fuel.
Why is AdBlue used?
AdBlue is a diesel exhaust fluid used in vehicles with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to reduce harmful gases being released into the atmosphere. AdBlue is a 32,5 % solution of high-purity, synthetically manufactured urea in de-mineralized water. It is a safe-to-use fluid.
Is AdBlue expensive?
A liter of Adblue costs 99 cents there, while the French competitor costs 73 cents. Truck drivers there pay an average of between 50 and 60 cents per liter.
Does it matter what AdBlue you use?
Are there different types? While there are different names for AdBlue®, such as Bluedef, BlueTec and so forth, all mixes should contain the same solution of 32.5% urea and 67.5% de-ionised water.
How big is an AdBlue tank?
The tank capacity for the additive AdBlue is approx. 14.5 litres.
Is AdBlue injected all the time?
AdBlue is not injected into the engine as a fuel additive. It is added to the catalyst system in the car's exhaust system. AdBlue is consumed in proportion to engine usage. It is estimated that a passenger car will consume approximately 1.5 litres of AdBlue for every 620 miles.
Is AdBlue just urea?
While AdBlue is comprised of approximately 32 percent urea, our urine includes approximately two percent urea. It's mostly water, and the rest will depend upon one's diet. Some other elements of urine (again, depending on your diet) could be detrimential to the AdBlue system, and could cause some expensive repairs.
Can you buy AdBlue from petrol stations?
You can find portable containers of AdBlue in the majority of filling stations, at the majority of appropriate retailers and the big branded online platforms too.
How much AdBlue do I put in?
How much AdBlue® does my car need? It is difficult to say exactly how much AbBlue® your car needs as models differ, but usage generally equates to around 1 litre per 350 to 600 miles. AdBlue® use is also usually around 3 to 6% of diesel consumption.
Can I buy AdBlue at petrol stations?
You can refill the AdBlue® tank with suitable bottles/canisters or at specially-designed pumps available at an ever-increasing number of filling stations. FindAdBlue.com gives you the information you need to find the nearest filling station offering AdBlue® in a convenient way.
Will my van run without AdBlue?
No, while driving the engine will not shut down, but some engines will automatically restrict engine performance when AdBlue™ supplies are drained. If your engine is outfitted with SCR technology, your vehicle will drop power and reduce its emission according to legal criteria.