FAQs
Below is a selection of questions that we are asked regularly relating to AdBlue® - if you have another question, please Contact Us
See our usage guide to help calculate how much AdBlue® you will use. Usually AdBlue consumption is no greater than 4-8 % of diesel usage.
This depends on the number of vehicles operating. If there are only a few vehicles then IBCs or drums will be more economical than a fixed storage tank. Cans are always the most expensive way but are useful for short term or emergency use.
If you have invested in a bulk storage tank you can usually get a better price for bulk refills of AdBlue® by committing to buy a set volume of Greenox® over a period and also by having our REACT™ GSM telemetry fitted to ensure that you always have fluid available. Contact us to find out more.
No. The AdBlue® is stored in a separate tank and dosed into the exhaust gas, it is never mixed with diesel. Special filling nozzles are available if you have concerns about your drivers mis-fuelling.
Your vehicle needs AdBlue® to reduce NOₓ emission. Due to the stricter emission legislation, diesel
engines need to have cleaner exhaust gases. NOₓ is one of the emissions that causes acid rain. To
meet the Euro 6 standards for diesel engine emission the use of Selective Catalyst Reduction-
technology (and thus AdBlue®) is required. The Euro 6 standards are into force from September
2014 for new passenger cars.
All commercial vehicle manufacturers have to meet the Euro 6 standards for diesel engine emission.
Although Euro 5 emission standards could be met by different technologies, Euro 6 standards
require the use of Selective Catalytic Reduction with AdBlue®.
Thankfully, most new vehicles will have a driver information system on board, which notifies you if
there is a particular error or if you are running out of oils or fluids, including AdBlue. This system will
usually give you a series of warnings as it becomes depleted, so it is important to get a refill as soon
as you can. If you need to check the level of your AdBlue manually, check the owner’s
documentation for guidance or contact the manufacturer for further advice.
Suppliers offering 'unbranded' AdBlue® are unlikely to have used the correct high purity raw materials and even less likely to have performed the full quality analysis needed to ensure the fluid will not harm the system. The solution may even have been diluted, meaning your vehicle will consume more than usual.
Often these products are manufactured from fertilizer grade Urea which contains chemicals to assist with application by farm machinery, but which if used in a diesel SCR system cause expensive and irreversible damage to the catalyst.
If in doubt you should always ask for a detailed test certificate that shows the fluid has been analysed to ISO22241 and check that the manufacturer is registered with the VDA.
Remember, the AdBlue® trademark is your guarantee that what you are putting in your vehicle's tank will not cause damage to the exhaust system.
No, AdBlue® is not flammable, nor is it considered a hazardous liquid. It is a water-based urea
solution, and poses little risk to humans. If you have sensitive skin, it might be wise to wear gloves
when handling the liquid to avoid any potential irritation.
You should avoid ingesting or inhaling AdBlue®, as you may suffer from an allergic reaction. If you do
get AdBlue® in your mouth, rinse it out with water and take a few sips afterwards. Inhaling the fumes
can sometimes leave some people light-headed, so if this happens, take a few moments to sit down
and take in some fresh air while it passes. Eye contact can often cause discomfort — flush your eyes
with water if this happens and seek medical attention if the irritation persists.
Contact us to discuss your needs and find the best solution for your business. Greenox® is available nationwide from Tennants and also from our wide network of dealers such as vehicle service centres, motor factors, lubricant suppliers and fuel companies. Prior to the arrival of your vehicles you will want to train drivers and operatives - information to help you with this can be found in the download area.
As the SCR system is a cleaner and less aggressive system than exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) some manufacturers have increased the time between oil changes.Your vehicle supplier will be able to advise further on this.
Commercially available technical grade or fertilizer grade urea is not suitable for the production of AdBlue®. The small cost saving that could be achieved using these grades is easily outweighed by the cost of replacement catalysts, injectors and dosing system components.
If you allow your supply of AdBlue to run out, your SCR system will not be able to function, which
will lead to limited vehicle performance or your engine not running at all. As your vehicle has been
manufactured to meet Euro 6 or VI standards, it is required by law to meet its acceptable emissions
level at all times, even when your car has run out of AdBlue. This means that when your SCR system
is not able to perform its task, it will prevent you from burning more fuel either by keeping your engine below the threshold or stopping it altogether. This failsafe is in place to protect both the
driver and the environment.
Provided that it is kept in the optimal conditions — out of direct sunlight and at a temperature
between -6°C and 25°C — your AdBlue can last up to 18 months in storage. If you store it at a higher
temperature than this or in a vented container, the shelf-life will only be around 6 months.
Firstly, do not start your vehicle, as this could cause damage to your fuel system. If you have put a
large quantity of AdBlue into your tank, there is more chance that your vehicle’s fuel system will
have suffered harm. Similar to putting petrol into your diesel vehicle, you will need to get the tank
drained and dispose of the contents safely before you can refill it. Hopefully there is no lasting
damage done, but if there is, you may have to contact your vehicle’s manufacturer to source
replacement parts.