More and more businesses are adopting the use of AdBlue in order to conform with Euro 6 standards. However, as a fairly recent feature of business fleet management, there is a need for greater awareness of AdBlue use and the consequences of not using it properly in vehicles.
AdBlue is stored within the vehicle, in a tank which is separate from the fuel tank or the engine. If your vehicles have been configured and manufactured to store and use AdBlue, it is important to keep those AdBlue levels topped up. Failure to do so will mean that the fuel tank will not be able to function as it is supposed to, and the result may be serious damage to the vehicle’s engine.
In typical circumstances, AdBlue can last for anything from 3,000 to 13,000 miles in a vehicle. However, each vehicle is unique and AdBlue checks should be carried out in the same way and with the same frequency as oil, water or coolant checks.
The most important thing to remember about AdBlue maintenance, is that failure to keep your AdBlue levels topped up to adequate levels, which then results in engine damage, will not be covered by a vehicle manufacturer warranty.
Whilst AdBlue usage is more common in commercial vehicles at present, manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes have incorporated its use into many of its vehicles. With the recent surge in diesel particulate filter adoption on standard diesel cars, it seems likely that AdBlue will be adopted as the next new ‘standard’ feature on mainstream car makes and models.
As such, fleet managers and SME businesses are being urged to get AdBlue savvy and to keep up-to-date with new guidelines for Adblue storage and usage in day to day fleet management.