Drivers warned over AdBlue refills

Company car and van drivers could end up stranded if they fail to act on a warning light to top up on diesel exhaust fluid, according to a fleet management company.

An increasing number of fleet operators will be taking delivery of diesel vehicles that comply with new Euro 6 emissions rules. Many of these use diesel exhaust fluid - known widely as AdBlue - to reduce exhaust gases and ensure the vehicles comply.

Vehicles that require AdBlue will have warning lights to alert the driver that the diesel exhaust fluid reservior will need refilling. Consumption of the fluid will vary according to the fuel consumption of the vehicle.

Gil Kelly, operations director of Venson Automotive Solutions, said: "Motor manufacturers are fitting [some] diesel vehicles with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to meet Euro 6 emission standards, which focus on the reduction of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) which is more prevalent in diesel than petrol-engined models,”

“These new-generation low emission diesel models use AdBlue, which is continuously sprayed into the exhaust gas, upstream of the catalytic converter to assist in the breakdown of harmful NOx.

"The problem is, if the AdBlue fluid runs out, the vehicle won’t start.”

If a car is equipped with SCR technology it will have an AdBlue tank. The location of the tank varies across manufacturers and from model to model, but is often close to the diesel tank or in the boot, under the carpet, or in the engine compartment. It can usually by identified by a blue cover.

Kelly added: "Manufacturers will typically top up the tank at time of service, but consumption of AdBlue can vary enormously according to vehicle type and model, vehicle load, environmental conditions, driving requirements and driving style.

“For instance, a vehicle may use more fluid on mountain roads or towing or if a driver accelerates a lot, just like with fuel.

“Additionally, with many of today’s diesel vehicles having variable servicing intervals, fleet managers need to encourage drivers to keep a watchful eye on tank levels to ensure their vehicle will start.

“To further complicate matters, AdBlue tank capacities vary from model to model, with motor manufacturers calculating the average miles a tank of AdBlue will last.

“The more economically a car is driven, the less AdBlue will be used. Vehicles using AdBlue are equipped with special dashboard warning lights, but again the message displayed varies across manufacturers, despite everyone agreeing that if the tank is allowed to run dry, the vehicle will not start."

AdBlue can be bought at retail outlets, dealerships or service stations, with some manufacturers providing AdBlue free of charge, if supplied through one of their dealerships.