AdBlue tank filled incorrectly (incorrect filling): what now?

Thomas Wachsmuth July 7, 2022 Tips, products, information & Co.

Reading time 4 Min.

Not just since Dieselgate we know that the cleaning of diesel exhaust gases poses great challenges for the engineers. While the exhaust gas recirculation system ensures that nitrogen oxides are already minimized in the combustion chamber, compliance with the strict EU emissions standards also requires a exhaust aftertreatment through the system of urea injection be used. While the first technology works unnoticed by the driver, you are confronted with the second at the latest when the warning light lights up: AdBlue.

Exhaust gas cleaning: It doesn't work without AdBlue!

Modern diesel cars inject a urea solution (“AdBlue”) into the exhaust flow, which, to put it simply, causes the unloved nitrogen oxides to turn into harmless nitrogen and water vapor. So far so good. Unfortunately, AdBlue is not exactly cheap and the question of alternatives quickly arises. I can't alternative product fill in? What if I accidentally use my tank something different when I filled up with AdBlue? Or do I need this stuff at all? We go into the matter.

Never intentionally put anything other than AdBlue in the tank!

Depending on the manufacturer, the urea tank is located next to the diesel filler neck, in the trunk or in the engine compartment. Usually this is not necessarily relevant for the driver, as in most cases the authorized workshop takes care of the fill level or problems. But what if the warning message appears while driving across the green field and there is no help in sight? Not everyone is so technically savvy and knows how to proceed. Even someone who gets a new company car every two years doesn't necessarily want to worry about whether he's getting that Washer fluid has to tip left or right into the lid.

First thing: turn off the car!

The child fell into the well. you have that Additive for the diesel particle filter into the AdBlue tank and thought you were doing something good for your car. Or, your wife tells you, she has it Washer fluid now filled up yourself, because you don't care about it. What can happen now should not trigger a headless panic in you. Anyone who receives a warning message about AdBlue while driving, or the machine stutters, should first look for a parking space outside the danger zone and the car the abstell.

On the other hand, if the car continues to run without problems, and one is surethat you didn't fill anything wrong, then it makes sense without detours drive to the nearest authorized workshop. It is possible that only one sensor is defective. However, once the engine has been switched off, another problem can arise: The car no longer starts. And pushing or towing will not lead to success! The control unit recognizes the exhaust gas values that are out of the norm and does not allow the vehicle to continue driving. Legally, the car has lost its operating license and can no longer be driven on the road. Whether this switch-off device is helpful in an unfortunate breakdown situation remains to be seen.

Never ignore the warning message!

If you ignore the warning message, you risk it Damage in the exhaust system. And it should be clear to everyone that the cleaning or repair of the fuel system that is then necessary will also have an impact!

Oil, wiper water & Co. mixed up? Help available here!

And finally ... In practice, the AdBlue tank is rarely filled incorrectly. Should the mishap nevertheless occur, park the car as soon as possible and contact the authorized workshop. If no (incorrect) filling has been carried out and the warning signal lights up, without switching off the engine in between, the next workshop can be driven to. For those who are familiar with the field, filling AdBlue yourself is a cost-saving alternative: urea can be bought in hardware stores for a few euros.

Of course, that wasn't the end of it!

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