AdBlue® Add care

The Dont's

Purchase

Don’t purchase AdBlue or any other SCR solution from a supplier that is not a registered licensee of the VDA.

DON’T buy a product claiming to be AdBlue, but calling itself “Urea solution” or similar. If it doesn’t say AdBlue® on the packaging, it’s not AdBlue®, it’s an inferior product.

Usage

Don’t use AdBlue as a diesel additive. It is a common misconception that it is a fuel additive, so never add AdBlue directly into the fuel tank. If AdBlue is mistakenly added, do not start the engine.

Don’t operate your vehicle without AdBlue. In the long run this will damage your investment. On Board Diagnostics detect there is no AdBlue and that NOx emissions are beyond legal limits. This generates a warning and the engine torque will be reduced by up to 40% until AdBlue is added and NOx emissions return to legal limits. Over-riding the system will also affect warranties and you will be operating illegally. Don’t add water to the AdBlue tank!

Dispensing

Don’t fill your AdBlue tank with anything other than AdBlue. There is no substitute for AdBlue. Use of impure AdBlue or other liquids like water may cause gradual degrading and subsequent clogging of the catalyst resulting in costly replacement of parts, reduced efficiency and lost time.

Don’t use fuel or lubricants equipment such as funnels, jugs or containers, for AdBlue storage or dispensing as it will contaminate your AdBlue.

Don’t refill previously used AdBlue containers as they may have been contaminated.

Do not store AdBlue in direct sunlight.

The Do's

Purchase

Only buy AdBlue® from a licensee of the AdBlue® trademark, registered by the VDA.

Usage

AdBlue® needs to remain pure for the SCR system to work and avoid being damaged, so you must take care to protect your AdBlue® against any contamination from such materials as; fuel, oil, grease, water, dust, dirt, metal or detergent.

Keep AdBlue® equipment clean and free of dirt and dust. If equipment needs be cleaned or rinsed internally, use demineralised water or AdBlue® – don’t use tap water !

Storage and dispensing

Only use dedicated AdBlue® equipment for storage and dispensing.

To avoid contamination at the dispensing unit, insert only the AdBlue® pistol into the AdBlue® inlet, both are clearly marked. Packaged AdBlue® product such as cans, drums and IBCs that fleet operators receive from AdBlue® suppliers must be sealed.

Always fill the vehicle’s AdBlue® tank with AdBlue®. It is usually a medium sized, clearly designated tank with a blue filler cap, that sits next to or near the vehicle’s fuel tank.

Storage below 30oC and over -11ºC is recommended to maintain an optimal shelf life of 12 months.

When exposed to temperatures below -11ºC, AdBlue® will freeze, but it can be thawed without any deterioration in its quality. To thaw AdBlue®, warm the storage container gently and it will return to its original state. The vehicle’s system protects itself against frozen AdBlue® in the lines and injector, by clearing the dosing lines at switch-off.

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		Short AdBlue® Add care Guide
		Long AdBlue® Add care Guide

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AdBlue® Add care FAQ

What is AdBlue®?

AdBlue® is a pure, colourless synthetic urea solution, produced to an exact specification from the organic compound Urea, and pure, demineralised water. Although this may sound like a simple formula, it is critical that AdBlue® is produced under the most stringent of conditions to ensure its purity. It is equally critical that this purity is maintained throughout the distribution and storage processes until the product reaches its final destination: the vehicle’s AdBlue® tank and its exhaust injection system. Without this essential purity, the SCR system will not perform its role correctly and there is a high risk that the vehicle’s emissions-reducing equipment may be damaged.

Why do I need AdBlue®?

AdBlue® is an essential element in making sure that your vehicle, which is fitted with an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system, always meets the required legal levels for EU exhaust emissions. In simple terms, AdBlue® is injected in measured quantities to your vehicle’s exhaust gases and, with the help of the catalytic converter, changes the toxic exhaust gas, NOx, into two harmless substances – nitrogen and steam. The result of this process is a significant reduction in the emission of the harmful substance – nitrogen oxides (NOx).

What can go wrong if I use contaminated AdBlue®?

AdBlue is a very pure chemical product and its purity needs to be protected at every stage of production and handling. If AdBlue® becomes contaminated through poor storage and handling procedures, then it will cause the SCR system to work incorrectly as the SCR system is sensitive to any impurities in the AdBlue, this could mean your vehicle is operating illegally. Furthermore, contaminated AdBlue® will damage the SCR System and so invalidate any warranty claims relating to damage to the vehicle’s SCR exhaust injection system or catalyst.

How can I be sure I’m using the right AdBlue® in the right way?

Firstly, only source AdBlue® from suppliers which are licensed by the VDA to produce and/or supply the product. AdBlue® has a specification that meets the agreed global standard ISO22241 and this places requirements on AdBlue® producers and distributors to guarantee the purity of the product from production source through distribution process and during storage. The VDA issues licences to AdBlue® producers and suppliers which enables them to use the AdBlue® trademark. You can find a list of licensed AdBlue® suppliers by going to the VDA website: www.vda.de

Secondly, follow the list of simple “Do’s and Don’ts” and you will easily guarantee the purity and performance of your AdBlue®.