AD Blu question - how long can I run without it?

[AMDB9]

The Ad Blu warning message has come on today (C220d 2015) - my car is booked in for a service in 10 days time - can I run without Ad Blu for another 10 days (300 miles ish) or should I get it sorted out now?

Thanks

[GXMAMG]

Might be being thick (not unusual) but why not just fill it up? They seem to sell th stuff in every petrol station now, my local Esso has huge 5l tubs of it for about £10 (might be wrong don't have a car that uses it but just spent time driving the new XF 2.0d and a 320d (and a spin in a 220d) and noted the filler caps in the boot.)

[cptsideways]

Get your other half to fill it up for you, just like the fuel tank

[SMB]

AMDB9 said:

The Ad Blu warning message has come on today (C220d 2015) - my car is booked in for a service in 10 days time - can I run without Ad Blu for another 10 days (300 miles ish) or should I get it sorted out now?

Thanks

If I read the vw debarcle properly if you run out the legislation says the engine should stop.

[51mes]

My W164 ML250 would tell me that it would fail to start in 800 miles when the first warning was raised about low adblue level, it would then count down every 10 miles until I refilled it.

Th key thing is the engine should not run if you empty the AdBlue tank, potentially leaving you stranded- so I'd probably go and get some as a refil

S.

[silentbrown]

It should tell you how far you can go. But, assuming the warning comes on at 3l, and it does about 600 miles per l then 300 miles to the service is no problem.

MB said:

3. How will I know when it is time to top up?
When the AdBlue supply is down to approximately 3 litres, a display message reading ‘refill AdBlue’† will appear. If the AdBlue tank is not topped up at this point – we recommend a minimum top up of at least 3 litres - the ‘Refill AdBlue No start in XXX miles’ message will appear. You will be able to drive the distance shown but you will subsequently be unable to start the engine.

http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/passengercars/home/corporate_sales0/fleet-after-sales/you-and-adblue.html

[Bluebottle911]

What is Adblue when it is at home?

[Martin4x4]

Bluebottle911 said:

What is Adblue when it is at home?

Piss.

[jagracer]

Bluebottle911 said:

What is Adblue when it is at home?

Artificial cats pee, it's injected somewhere into the exhaust system and reduces emissions. Never put it in the diesel tank as it will fk the engine big time.

[AMDB9]

Thanks guys! Never realised It's a self fill item! Will pop out and get some now! :-)

[IATM]

AMDB9 said:

Thanks guys! Never realised It's a self fill item! Will pop out and get some now! :-)

Always feel sorry for customers who buy cars from dealerships and are not guided into the basic rules of the car in question like adding ad blu when its needed or even what the hell it is.

[AMDB9]

Not my car really have it for two years on a dirt cheap contract hire deal! Light came on exactly after 12 months of ownership...

[P.Nott]

I've often wondered, given what the basic constituent of Adblue is, could you refill the tank using ermm..............the more natural product? Maybe you'd have to filter it first, but would it work I wonder?

[Rosun]

I'm sure it needs a STAR diagnostic reset too to get rid of the message. Even then it'll take a few stop / starts to finally reset itself.

[jingars]

P.Nott said:

I've often wondered, given what the basic constituent of Adblue is, could you refill the tank using ermm..............the more natural product? Maybe you'd have to filter it first, but would it work I wonder?

Suggest that you follow the advice give in your forum name....

[AMDB9]

Rosun said:

I'm sure it needs a STAR diagnostic reset too to get rid of the message. Even then it'll take a few stop / starts to finally reset itself.

Refilled it over the weekend - no reset required - the message disappeared after a few miles of driving. Mercedes stealer wanted £70 to refill the tank - fking idiots! I filled up 5 litres for £20

Stealers do make me wonder. Had a set of brand new rear tyres put on a day before the car was in for service - but their service report shows my rears are on 5mm - WTF!

Edited by AMDB9 on Monday 19th October 13:13

[L500]

My Passat R-Line requires AdBlue (interestingly my colleagues GT version which arrived last week doesn't require it, must be the 150-190BHP difference?).

It's horrible stuff. The car (leased) arrived without a full tank of it also, so at 6,000 miles I had a warning to re-fill. A full tank should last circa 12k in this car.

My fleet management company advises that a main dealer should fill it up, rather than me popping down to Halfords and getting 5 litres for £20. Thankfully, the company pays for it, but having to do this task every 12k is not ideal.

[sachin200301]

you can buy ad blue from screwfix for £10 for 10L so £1 per litre

[CaterBram]

we buy it 1000litres at a time at work, £300 a pop, £0.30/litre