AdBlue® - What you need to know.

Barry Parker • Aug 29, 2018

AA reports 23,000 AdBlue® breakdowns in the past year......

AA reports 23,000 AdBlue breakdowns in the past year......

Driver ignorance has been blamed behind the majority of cases as AdBlue breakdowns almost double in one year! The AA has reported more than 23,000 breakdowns linked to AdBlue last year, almost twice the total for the previous 12 months. The company has attributed the majority of these breakdowns to driver ignorance, adding that it also responded to at least one driver who filled their diesel tank with AdBlue.

AA president Edmund King said:

“Our recovery service is seeing a rapid growth in breakdowns due to accidental misuse or lack of understanding of the need for AdBlue.

“If it’s poured into the fuel tank it can cause expensive damage if the engine is allowed to run.

“Rapid growth in breakdowns”

“Many drivers call for help because they can’t start their car simply because the AdBlue tank has run dry.

“That comes as quite a shock to many AA Members, particularly those who don’t regularly drive a diesel car but may be in a hire or fleet car and have no idea what it is or does.

“Although the dashboard will give plenty of warning that the AdBlue tank needs replenishing, many drivers don’t understand what the warning means and ignore it.”

WHAT IS DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID/AdBlue®

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) also known as AdBlue®, is a non-toxic, colourless, odourless and non-flammable fluid. Stored in a dedicated tank in your car, it is injected into the exhaust system to clean exhaust gases. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology is fitted to most diesel vehicles from 2016 Model Year. It enables vehicles to meet EU6 emissions legislation by reducing the levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emitted from the exhaust system by up to 90%. In addition to a new generation of catalytic converter, SCR Technology requires the use of DEF, significantly cleaning up tailpipe emissions.

Cars with this technology have a separate filler for an AdBlue®tank, often next to the diesel fuel filler or in the boot or under the bonnet. The solution is injected automatically in small quantities into the flow of exhaust gas and should not be poured into the fuel tank.

Need more support or advice? We stock over 10 AdBlue products and offer an easy refill service.

Give the BTE Team call on 01420 477655

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