Which cars use AdBlue®? Does yours need it?

You’re wondering which cars use AdBlue® and whether yours is affected? While initially only heavy goods vehicles used AdBlue® to reduce their pollutant emissions, this liquid is now used by almost all new diesel vehicles (cars, commercial vehicles, public transport, agricultural and construction machinery, etc.). If your car is fitted with an SCR catalyst, there is a very good chance that it will need AdBlue® to operate. Let’s find out together about the types of car that run on AdBlue® and the car manufacturers that have adopted this liquid for their diesel vehicles.

What types of car use AdBlue®?

AdBlue® is used by diesel vehicles fitted with an SCR catalyst, which represents the vast majority of diesel cars currently sold in Europe.

Why do they use AdBlue®?

With the tightening of anti-pollution standards imposed on diesel vehicles, carmakers have had to design systems to limit the emissions linked to fuel combustion. Among the systems that have been tested, the SCR catalytic converter, combined with AdBlue®, has proved particularly effective in drastically reducing nitrogen oxides, considered to be extremely harmful to humans and the environment.

What is SCR technology? How does it work?

SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) is a technology which, combined with AdBlue®, converts the nitrogen oxides (NOx) generated by diesel engines into non-polluting molecules (nitrogen and water vapour, present in the air we breathe). In practical terms, this is how SCR technology works:

1. AdBlue® is injected at the diesel engine outlet
2. When heated to high temperatures in the exhaust pipe, the urea from AdBlue® is transformed into ammonia.
3. The ammonia then enters the SCR catalyst, where it comes into contact with the nitrogen oxides, transforming them into harmless nitrogen and water vapour.

AdBlue®: What is it? What is it used for?

AdBlue®: which car brands and models use it?

At present, the vast majority of car brands use AdBlue® to limit pollution from their diesel vehicles. Below are the main makes and models of car that use AdBlue®:

Renault

At Renault, all diesel vehicles currently sold are equipped with SCR technology: Renault Alaskan, Captur, Clio, Espace, Kadjar, Kangoo, Koleos, Master, Megane, Scenic and Trafic. Renault models using AdBlue® are equipped with Blue dCi engines, and their AdBlue® tank has a capacity of 15 to 20 litres.

Renault AdBlue® warning light on: What should I do?

Peugeot

Diesel vehicles from the Peugeot brand also run on AdBlue®. These include models with the motorization BlueHDi: 208, 308, 508, 2008, 3008, 5008, Boxer, Expert, Partner, and Traveller. The AdBlue® tank on Peugeot cars can hold 17 litres of liquid. Depending on the Peugeot vehicle, access to the tank can be either at the fuel filler flap or in the boot.

Peugeot Urea or AdBlue® warning light: How do I switch it off?

Citroën

The manufacturer Citroën has also chosen to equip its diesel models with SCR technology, running on AdBlue®. The brand’s vehicles running on this liquid are as follows: Citroën Berlingo, C3, C4, C5, Jumpy, Jumper, Spacetourer, and their derivatives: C3 Picasso, C4 Cactus, C4 Picasso, C5 Sedan, C5 Tourer… On these models, the AdBlue® tank has a capacity of 17 to 22.4 litres. The AdBlue® filler hole is located on the side of the car (next to the one for diesel fuel).

Dacia

Diesel cars Dacia with Blue dCi engines need AdBlue® to run. These currently include the following models: Dacia Duster and Lodgy. Their AdBlue® tank capacity can range from 14 to 17 litres. To fill up with AdBlue® on a Dacia, go behind the fuel filler flap (blue cap).

Volkswagen

The entire BlueMotion diesel range from the Volkswagen brand uses SCR technology combined with AdBlue®: Volkswagen Golf, Golf SW, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace, Passat, Passat SW, Touran, Arteon, Arteon Shooting Brake. At Volkswagen, cars are fitted with AdBlue® tanks with capacities ranging from 11 to 19 litres, depending on the model. Access to the AdBlue® tank is usually next to the diesel tank (more rarely, it can be found in the boot, under the carpet).

How to top up AdBlue®?

Toyota

The Toyota brand is also equipping its diesel fleet with catalysts running on AdBlue®. The vehicle models concerned are the most recent versions of the Toyota Hilux, Land Cruiser, and Proace. The AdBlue® filling port is usually located under the bonnet of the car.

Ford

For its part, Ford has chosen the name EcoBlue for its diesel engines using AdBlue®. The car models equipped with this engine are: Ford Ecosport, Galaxy, S-Max and Tourneo Connect. To add AdBlue® to your Ford car, go under the fuel filler flap, near the diesel tank inlet.

Mercedes

At Mercedes, all diesel vehicles with BlueTec technology require AdBlue® to operate. These include: Mercedes A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, CLA, E200, ML250, and R350. Ranging in volume from 11.5 to 25 litres depending on the model, the AdBlue® tank is located under the fuel filler flap, just next to the port dedicated to diesel.

BMW

The SCR system is fitted to all BMW diesel vehicles. For example, this technology equips the BMW 1 Series to 8 Series (and their derivatives: Saloon, Estate, Convertible, Coupé…), as well as the BMW X1 to X7 SUVs. The capacity of the AdBlue® tanks can vary from 12 to 15 litres depending on the model. The filler neck is located either next to the diesel port or under the bonnet, close to the engine.

Audi

The Audi cars running on diesel also use the SCR system to limit nitrogen oxide emissions. These are the Audi TDI Clean Diesel models: Audi A1 to A8 (and their “sport” versions S and RS), Audi TT and SUV Q1 to Q8. On Audi diesel vehicles, access to the AdBlue® tank is located in the immediate vicinity of the port dedicated to diesel fuel. Depending on the model, the capacity of the AdBlue® tank can range from 12 to 24 litres.

Opel

Vehicles Opel running on AdBlue® are those equipped with diesel engines combined with BlueInjection technology. The Opel models concerned are: Opel Astra, Corsa, Cascada, Crossland, Grandland, Insignia, Mokka, Movano, Vivaro and Zafira. On Opel vehicles, the AdBlue® filler inlet is located next to the diesel filler inlet. As for the capacity of the tank dedicated to the liquid, this can range from 13 to 22.4 litres.

Other car brands using AdBlue®

Other car brands that use AdBlue® include DS, Fiat, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Seat, Skoda and Volvo.