El AdBlue it is a relatively new compound that has created some uncertainty for the owners of vehicles with a diesel engine of the latest generation. Your goal is reduce the most harmful gases for people and the environment, and thus be able to comply with anti-pollution regulations Euro 6.
It is very important do not let the tank of this compound empty completely since the car will fail and, in many cases, will not start. Adblue fluid can be purchased at most gas stations and motor-related establishments: workshops, parts stores, department store, etc. Its price is usually around 6 or 10 euros for a 5 liter bottle and depending on the make of the car, the tank to be filled can have between 7 and 20 liters of capacity.
When to refuel Adblue
All cars equipped with Adblue have a system for warn the driver that the fluid is running out well in advance. The duration of a deposit of this liquid varies greatly depending on its size and the management carried out by the system itself, although it can easily reach up to 20.000 km.
The adblue notice will appear in the dashboard as long as the level is low, so it is unlikely that we will forget to top it up if we are not one of those who ignore the check engine lights. In any case, there are car brands that give us a Adblue bottle for emergencies. If this is not the case, it does not hurt to get a small bottle, in the same way that some people carry refrigerant or oil to keep the levels of these liquids always at an optimal level.
How to refuel Adblue
Most workshops have added Adblue to the list of levels that have to be checked in periodic check-ups. So depending on the car you have, the owner may never have to worry about refilling it. If this is not your case, due to the type of use you give the car or because you do not take it to reviews, you should take into account a few instructions to do it yourself correctly. Of course, in many cases the Adblue witness can only be removed if it is plugged into a machine that restarts the control unit.
Where is the Adblue tank cap?
The cap of the Adblue tank is usually of a colorful blue color and, if not, at least it comes with the name written clearly. In addition, it is usually placed in a visible way next to the diesel tank cap. If this is not the case with your car, it is most likely in the trunk, in the area of the spare wheel (under the removable bottom) or on one of the sides.
Protecciones
If you want to do it properly and avoid all kinds of problems, it is highly recommended that you use protective gloves and goggles. This liquid must be prevented from coming into contact with the eyes or the skin.
Cleaning
Adblue liquid is not toxic but it is corrosive to metals and other materials, so taking into account the materials your car is made of, be very careful when filling it if the bottle does not come with a system to pour it safely. Use a funnel if necessary and if a little spills, clean it up thoroughly as soon as possible.
How the Adblue system works
The Adblue system has a simple operation if we compare it with other technological innovations for emission reduction. Uses a injector that sprays the liquid on the exhaust gases before they pass through the catalyst. The urea compound reacts with NOx gases (N2O, NO, N2O3, N2O4, NO2 and N2O5), which are among the most harmful of those produced by engine combustion. Once the chemical process is complete, the result is water, nitrogen and CO2. The latter with a greenhouse effect, but much less aggressive since it is the same one that we expel when we breathe.
The correct proportion of Adblue liquid that is necessary to reduce emissions without wasting is achieved thanks to a control unit that constantly measures the quantity of gases emitted for the car This switchboard or control unit will also be in charge of notifying the driver if there is little liquid left so that he can fill it up on time.
What is AdBlue made of?
Essentially the Adblue liquid is a 32,5% high purity urea and 67,5% demineralized water. According to the manufacturers, the system is very sensitive to impurities or deviations in the correct proportion, so all Adblue liquids must comply with current quality regulations in order to be sold (ISO 22241). If not, they are withdrawn from the market.
The real name of the Adblue compound is AUS32, which stands for Aqueous Urea Solution with a concentration of 32,5%. In U.S. use another, less technical name: Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) or Liquid for the diesel exhaust system in Spanish, but it is essentially the same.
What cars have Adblue
Although its mission is to reduce emissions to comply with the Euro 6 standard, not all brands have opted for this system to get it. What is certain is that we will most likely see an increase in the use of this type of system due to the increasing tightening of anti-pollution laws.
The use of Adblue is usually restricted to medium or high range and size vehicles. Small diesels do not usually include it because of the extra costs involved and for having a lower level of emissions.
Some models that use Adblue are the Volkswagen Touareg, Tiguan, Sharan, Jetta or Crafter; the Toyota Proaace, Hilux and Land Cruiser; some Opels with the 1.6 CDTi engine, some versions of the BMW 3 Series; the Audi Q7; and some BlueHDi engines from the PSA Group. But keep in mind that the list will change constantly as you go expanding the use of this technology.