31/10/18
If your fleet is made up of diesel vehicles from 2006 onwards, you’re more than likely already using AdBlue. Here’s all the information you need on the NOx reducing product, including how to purchase it using your fuelGenie fuel cards.
What is AdBlue?
AdBlue is a fluid made up of de-mineralised water and urea – a practically non-toxic compound. These fluids are known as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) fluids, with AdBlue being a specific brand that is owned by the German Association of the Automobile Industry (VDA). AdBlue is stored in a tank and small amounts are injected into part of the vehicle’s exhaust. A chemical reaction occurs and the harmful NOx exhaust gases are converted into harmless nitrogen and water. It has been used in buses and heavy trucks for a long time, so has been proved to be effective already.
What cars use it and why?
Currently it is mainly large diesel models made after 2006 that use AdBlue. Those cars that do contain an AdBlue tank have a blue or black screw cap next to the black diesel filler cap, others have it in the boot or engine compartment. Large diesel cars need AdBlue to reduce the harmful emissions that they produce. The 2016 emissions regulations, known as Euro 6, were especially challenging for the development of diesel engines. For diesels to achieve the more restrictive emissions targets, AdBlue is needed.
Refilling AdBlue
AdBlue tank sizes vary depending on the make and model of the car. When the tank is almost empty a warning light will appear, as without AdBlue the car will not run. The rate it is used up depends on how economically the car is driven, the size of the tank, and the car model. It can last approximately between 3000 miles to 12,000 miles, so you won’t need to refill constantly.
Garages will refill your driver’s AdBlue tanks as part of a routine service, but your drivers can refill them themselves. Garages and supermarket filling stations sell bottles of AdBlue, as do many online retailers. It is similar to buying screen wash, merely pick up a container and pay at the kiosk.
Is your account activated for AdBlue purchases?
If your cards are enabled to do so, you can use your fuelGenie fuel cards to purchase AdBlue bottles from the forecourt kiosk. This allows your drivers to buy both the fuel and AdBlue they need in one convenient step with their fuelGenie fuel cards.
All you need to do is to make sure that AdBlue is enabled on your account by checking if your cards are registered for both fuel types and oil on the ‘manage my account’ area of our website. If it’s not, don’t worry - give us a call and we’ll send you out new cards with both fuel types & oil available for your account.
