Without AdBlue, most modern diesel-engined vehicles will refuse to start, or will work in a low-power regime called “ limp mode.” As an operator of a diesel-engined vehicle, you must monitor the AdBlue level and refill it if necessary. Some vehicles notify you of the capacity of your AdBlue container. If you do not know how much AdBlue you need for your car, you will have to look it up online or in the user manual. Once you figure out how much AdBlue you need, look for the refill procedure specific to your vehicle.

It's a trade name registered by the German car manufacturers association, but is the most recognised form of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).When the warning light first comes on you’ll have plenty of time to refill – so don’t panic. Just make sure you don’t put off topping up, especially if you’re about to book an MOTtest. You’ll need to get the tank drained and the contents disposed of safely before you can refill it. Call us, and we’ll sort the problem out. You may be asking ‘what’s AdBlue and why do I need it?” AdBlue is a special liquid that’s sprayed into diesel car exhausts to reduce the amount of harmful gases released into the environment by diesel engines. NOx gases cause respiratory problems and contribute to the formation of particulate matter, smog, acid rain and ground level ozone. Before we get into details regarding the refill procedure and precautions necessary to achieve one on your own, we must explain what AdBlue is. The name has been trademarked by Germany’s Association of the Automotive Industry and is a marketing term for Diesel Exhaust Fluid.

You will be notified by your car’s onboard computer that the AdBlue level is low and that a refill is required. Typical notifications start a few thousand kilometers/miles before the refill is necessary, so you’ll have plenty of time to get some AdBlue before your car needs it. Lots of people think AdBlue is made of pig urine – it’s not. The urea used in AdBlue is a high-purity man-made solution – pig urine wouldn’t be pure or sterile enough for a commercial product. Inside the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalyst, harmful nitrogen oxide in the exhaust reacts with the ammonia and is transformed in\to harmless nitrogen and water.

Laser Funnel 145mm Red

While some cars have their AdBlue refill cap right next to the Diesel filler cap, others have a different position for it. For some BMWs, it is under the hood, while other cars have a refill cap inside the trunk. Either way, find it before you open the AdBlue container. We are talking about refilling the installation on your own. If you are comfortable following instructions and doing minimal work, but with a high degree of caution, you are probably prepared to refill your AdBlue tank by yourself. The car will give you plenty of warning that the AdBlue tank is running low. You'll usually see a text warning on the dashboard when there's around 1500 miles' worth of AdBlue left.