Adblue® (also known as diesel exhaust fluid) is a fluid which reduces harmful NOx emission from your car’s exhaust by converting them into nitrogen and steam.
It can reduce emissions by up to 80%. Car manufacturers have to meet certain standards regarding emissions and an EU directive means that from September 2014, Adblue® tanks will be fitted in new diesel cars. This means that over the coming years topping up Adblue® will become a standard part of owning a diesel car.
If you run out of AdBlue® while driving, you may notice a significant drop in engine performance.
That’s because, as emissions spike, your car will enter ‘limp’ mode, which means a limited top speed and loss of power to electricals like the stereo and air conditioning.
Then, once you stop, you won’t be able to start the engine again until you top up with AdBlue®.
So, having a spare bottle to hand is sensible and will help to keep your car running for longer. It’s a good way to make sure your car is always topped up and healthy to keep you driving.
You should be aware though, that topping up your Adblue® can be a bit tricky. You don’t want to spill it because it’s quite an unpleasant liquid, and contaminates in the tank can cause damage so you shouldn’t use funnels or dirty bottles.
(Adblue® 4L and 5L are manufactured in the UK under licence from Greenox (Part of Tennants Distribution Ltd.). Adblue® 10L is manufactured in the UK under licence from Yara International.)