Is the AdBlue® warning light showing on your dashboard? You’re going to have to top up AdBlue® quickly to the dedicated tank to prevent your vehicle coming to a complete standstill. Don’t panic, though, as you can still drive for up to 2,400 km (1,491 miles) before your engine refuses to start. Find out how to fill your AdBlue® tank to avoid running out of fuel!
Table of contents
Top up AdBlue®: locate the tank inlet
The first thing to do when you need to top up AdBlue® is, of course, to find the tank inlet. To avoid having to go round the car, you should know that the answer can be found in the vehicle’s service manual, or simply by contacting a dealer of the vehicle’s make. The AdBlue® tank can be located in 3 different places:
- In the fuel filler flap, next to the fuel inlet
- In the boot, under the carpet or in one of the wings
- Under the bonnet, near the engine block.
In general, the AdBlue® cap is easy to spot thanks to its blue colour (not to be confused with the windscreen washer cap!), but it can also be black with the word “AdBlue®” printed on top.
How do I fill the tank with AdBlue®?
There are two ways to fill your AdBlue® tank:
- use a can of AdBlue®.
- use an AdBlue® pump.
VIEW DEAL
The AdBlue® can: the simplest solution for adding AdBlue®.
If you want to add AdBlue® to your car, the easiest way is to get a can of AdBlue® (5 or 10 litres) on the internet, at a service station or in a garage. If you are planning to visit a retail outlet, we advise you to check that they have AdBlue® in stock. Ideally, you should buy a can of AdBlue® with a spout to make filling the tank easier. If the canister doesn’t have a spout, consider buying a funnel with a flexible tube. You can then simply empty the can of AdBlue® into the tank to top it up.
Where can I buy AdBlue® in the UK?
The AdBlue® pump: a harder-to-find alternative
Do you prefer to fill your AdBlue® tank directly at the pump? You should know that this solution is less common. While it is relatively common to find AdBlue® pumps for HGVs, these are not suitable for cars (different nozzle and too high flow rate). However, by using a specific accessory (see our article on the AdBlue® magnetic adaptor), truck pumps can be used to fill car AdBlue® tanks. However, this technique is not recommended by service stations and distributors.
Ideally, you should therefore find a pump dedicated to light vehicles (LVs). To help you in your search, you can consult the map of service stations equipped with AdBlue® pumps from the Shell network, one of the most extensive in the UK.
The use of an AdBlue® pump is suitable for vehicles where the AdBlue® tank is located in the fuel filler flap.
VIEW DEAL
Some precautions to take when topping up AdBlue®
Regardless of the method used to top up AdBlue® (canister or pump):
- make sure you pour the AdBlue® into the right hole (not the fuel or windscreen washer hole!)
- never fill the tank to the brim: this could cause the AdBlue® to crystallise, blocking the tank vent
- avoid pouring AdBlue® on the bodywork, as this leaves white marks
- protect your clothes or avoid them coming into contact with the liquid so as not to stain them
- avoid contact with the skin.
If AdBlue® has been spilt on the bodywork or on your clothes, clean the affected area as quickly as possible with clean water. If you have received AdBlue® on your skin, simply wash the affected area with soap and water.
0 Comments