AdBlue

AdBlue Technology

AdBlue is the brand name of a diesel exhaust fluid that’s owned by the German Association of Automotive Industry. It’s not a fuel additive but is meant to be used with newer diesel vehicles that have a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust treatment system.

AdBlue is poured into a stand-alone tank near the diesel tank. It’s a non-toxic exhaust fluid to treat the engine and reduces emissions.

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AdBlue Explained

  • AdBlue is a brand name of diesel exhaust fluid. It’s not the only one on the market, but it’s a popular option. AdBlue contains a blend of deionized water and urea. The amount of urea in the liquid is 32.5%, while the other 67.5% is deionized water. 
  • The deionized water is the solvent needed to turn solid urea, which are colorless crystals, into a liquid solution. All diesel vehicles with this exhaust technology contain a urea concentration sensor. For this reason, you should never attempt to dilute AdBlue or pour in an incompatible liquid. Additionally, despite urea being found in urine, this liquid should never be used, either.
  • AdBlue is an odorless and toxic-free liquid. However, it’s still going to create a mess when spilled. It can also corrode certain metals, so you should store and transport it carefully. If AdBlue gets on your skin or clothing, you want to clean it off immediately. 

How does AdBlue work?

With a typical diesel engine, oxygen and nitrogen react at the higher temperatures to create nitrogen oxide. It’s a natural byproduct of the fuel combustion. Modern diesel vehicles are built with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) exhaust treatment system. This emissions control system is designed to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions for a cleaner environment.

When AdBlue is put into the exhaust system, it gets hot. The higher temperature creates a reaction with the exhaust gases that degrades the mono-nitrogen oxides that are harmful. During this process, the gases are converted into water (H2O) and nitrogen (N2), both of which are harmless to people and the environment. In total, it filters out over 90% of the harmful emissions. 

With the help of AdBlue, diesel vehicles now meet the emissions limits set through the European standards, known as Euro 6. These are a standard for all new vehicles sold in the United States and the European Union. 

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Which cars need AdBlue?

All diesel vehicles built after 2015 with more than 74 horsepower come equipped with SCR technology in Europe. These are required to use diesel exhaust fluid, such as AdBlue.

If you don’t use diesel exhaust fluid in these vehicles, the engine will typically not start. If it does, it will go into a limp mode, which is a low-power process that makes it possible to drive home. 

For this reason, you must monitor the level of the AdBlue and refill it when it gets low. Cars have a warning light on the dashboard to tell you before the fluid runs out.