As part of the drive to reduce emissions, and to comply with the new Euro 6 standards, more and more manufacturers are introducing into their diesel engines SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology. Used in the right way, SCR can help to reduce Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions by as much as 90%, with fuel efficiency also increasing by between 3% and 5%.

For the technology to work, vehicles have been fitted with a special tank for storing a liquid-reductant agent known as AdBlue®.

So if your vehicle is fitted with AdBlue® there are a few things you’ll need to know.

what exactly is adblue®?

AdBlue® is a mixture of water and urea, which you will be required to periodically top up, as you do with fuel. During normal driving, AdBlue® flows from the tank into the exhaust pipe via a dedicated catalyst. This triggers a chemical reaction that converts most of the NOx molecules into nitrogen and water. This is then released into the atmosphere as steam..

how do I fill up the adblue tank?

AdBlue® is available from an increasing number of fuel stations and motorway service stations. However your dealer will also be able to supply AdBlue®. New vehicles tend to have a filling point next to the fuel cap. This does vary depending on the manufacturer and model so it’s best to refer to the owner’s manual.

how will I know when it’s needed?

It’s important to take action as soon as you see any relevant warning lights on your dashboard.

There are three possible warnings:

• First Warning - advises you that the AdBlue® tank is getting low
• Second Warning - will give you a mileage range and sometimes an audible warning
• Final Warning - at this point the vehicle will either go into limp home mode (run at reduced power) or will not restart once the ignition has been switched off.

who pays for the adblue®?

Because it’s a solution that requires to be topped up, as you do with fuel, these costs would not be covered by a maintenance contract (where applicable). Therefore the cost of topping up the AdBlue® would be down to the driver.

what do we recommend?

If you operate a vehicle with AdBlue® we would recommend your read your vehicle handbook section about AdBlue® so you are fully aware what action to take when your AdBlue® warnings start to appear. Ignoring this could become costly.