AdBlue deficiency? Indicator lights in the car explained

Unlike petrol engines, diesel vehicles require the addition of AdBlue. If the tank is empty, an indicator light will let you know. This guide tells you what to do in this case.

Not only are the costs of diesel and petrol rising, the price of AdBlue is also reaching dizzying heights. So it’s all the more annoying for diesel drivers when they notice when filling up that the price for AdBlue is also due.

AdBlue warning lights explained: what’s going on?

Total there three stages, which can point out errors with the AdBlue system. The latter could either be related to the additional tank and the liquid sensor or to the pump that injects AdBlue into the diesel exhaust gases.

If the indicator lights indicate that something is wrong with the AdBlue tank, various problems could be the cause. Burns the first light yellow, the tank is just low on fuel and you should give your car some of the urea solution. At least 4 liters are necessary for the indicator light to be quiet. If the lights have just come on, don’t be in too much of a hurry, as there’s still enough left for almost 2,000 kilometers.

Nevertheless, you should take care of AdBlue soon, otherwise the display turns red. Now you should no longer turn off the vehicle without having refueled. Otherwise you won’t be able to get the car to run because the computer wants to prevent you from driving long distances without exhaust gas. The function is legally dictated by the legislator within the framework of environmental protection.

If, in addition to the liquid level warning, the Service Engine Light noticeable, a malfunction within the system has probably been detected. Causes could be problems with the injection system, a sensor, or the fluid itself. In this case, the vehicle should be taken to the workshop, after all, very few have a diagnostic scanner at home along with the necessary know-how to find and fix the problem.

You shouldn’t ignore any of the three lights, because in the worst case the system permanently damaged can. Replacing that could be very expensive.

AdBlue: What is it actually?

AdBlue was introduced to Nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel combustion engines to lower. The agent is injected into the exhaust gases to produce ammonia. This is then converted into water and nitrogen in a downstream catalyst. In this way, less of the indirect greenhouse gas is emitted.

Because the process selective catalytic reaction (English: Selective Ccatalytic Reduction), the AdBlue system is also called the SCR system.

This raises the question of what is in the miracle cure. The answer is uninspiring: AdBlue is a urea solution. This means that the additive consists of two-thirds demineralized water and one-third urea. This used to actually be obtained from urine, but is now produced synthetically.