Diesel - AdBlue - How Much

[JustChris]

Hello,

Approx how much AdBlue would fill the reservoir please, apols I know this might be in the manual. I see some 2L, 5L, 1,00,000L bottles and tanks for sale and don't really want loads of this P1$$ lying around so just going buy enough for a couple of fill ups.

TIA,
Chris

[UltimateManga]

Hi mate, I think the adblue tank holds about 10l but if you check through the idrive menu under vehicle information it should tell you how much to top up by.

[six]

I keep a couple of the BMW 'screw on' type bottles at home. Think they are 1.8L or so. I know it's more expensive to buy it that way but it's much less hassle than dealing with an open container and having to pour it in to the reservoir by hand. Have been tending to fill up with a bottle when iDrive says there is room for 2L to be added. That way I can maintain a balance of several thousand miles should I need to have a period of not worrying to find some AdBlue. Maybe it's my OCD but I hate to have some factor (other than diesel!) limiting my range!

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Hello,

Approx how much AdBlue would fill the reservoir please, apols I know this might be in the manual. I see some 2L, 5L, 1,00,000L bottles and tanks for sale and don't really want loads of this P1$$ lying around so just going buy enough for a couple of fill ups.

TIA,
Chris

Chris, tank capacity is 15l. I buy mine in 10l bottles.

'Ultimate' is right - check out the Service menus on idrive and it tells you how many litres you need and the miles until empty.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by UltimateManga

Hi mate, I think the adblue tank holds about 10l but if you check through the idrive menu under vehicle information it should tell you how much to top up by.

Originally Posted by six

I keep a couple of the BMW 'screw on' type bottles at home. Think they are 1.8L or so. I know it's more expensive to buy it that way but it's much less hassle than dealing with an open container and having to pour it in to the reservoir by hand. Have been tending to fill up with a bottle when iDrive says there is room for 2L to be added. That way I can maintain a balance of several thousand miles should I need to have a period of not worrying to find some AdBlue. Maybe it's my OCD but I hate to have some factor (other than diesel!) limiting my range!

Originally Posted by Baunton

Chris, tank capacity is 15l. I buy mine in 10l bottles.

'Ultimate' is right - check out the Service menus on idrive and it tells you how many litres you need and the miles until empty.

Thanks all, forgot the idrive would have this covered like the oil

I'm almost at 9000 miles so its going to get about 10L or so. Cheers!

[Gilly1964]

Just pop in to your dealer and they will top it off for you when the warning comes up. A bit more expensive than DIY for sure but no chance of 'wee' on your suit!

[HZX540e]

I am missing something here, is this a diesel thing? Why would anyone that drives by gas stations everyday have some carried with them all the time?

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by HZX540e

I am missing something here, is this a diesel thing? Why would anyone that drives by gas stations everyday have some carried with them all the time?

Correct, it's diesel.

I guess maybe it's because we are all ex Boy Scouts and their motto was 'Be Prepared'

[HZX540e]

Originally Posted by Baunton

Correct, it's diesel.

I guess maybe it's because we are all ex Boy Scouts and their motto was 'Be Prepared'

I'm prepared with a credit card in pocket ready to pull in the next the stations when the tank is around 1/4. But I reckon diesel is not available at every station that's why you have to be prepared. It occurred to me after asking the question.

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by HZX540e

I am missing something here, is this a diesel thing? Why would anyone that drives by gas stations everyday have some carried with them all the time?

Just like I always carry a quart of oil in my trunk even though you can buy oil just about everywhere, and this particular bottle has been sitting in there since I got the car.

[stewy604]

Top it off when you change your oil...shouldn't need to refill outside the service intervals. At least I haven't had to.

[Flying Ace]

To answer you question, I would simply buy 1 BMW/VW bottle and only fill the passive tank when you get the message to refill on your dashboard. You can fill at every oil change or monthly interval, but you're just risking more chances of spilling this stuff everytime you crack it open.

I know most of you guys are "across the pond" and I don't know how AdBlue is sold, but here in the USA, diesel owners buy DEF (AdBlue is a trademark name for DEF) in bulk. It's super cheap in large gallon containers and then we modify the BMW screw top bottle and use it as a funnel, integrate it into the MB tubing, or make it into a reusable bottle.

Here, the BMW/VW screw top bottle is like $8 for 0.5 gallons. Bulk size DEF is like $10 for 10.5 gallons!

Here's a funnel option, which is likely the way I would go:

Here's the MB tubing DIY, which gives you a better shot of spill-free and quicker adds. The above funnel version, you have to go slow and need a vent tube:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=758342



3rd way is to modify the screw top bottle into a reusable cap:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...=550500&page=2



In anyways, IMO, you should not buy more than 1 funnel bottle from the BMW dealer. Just buy 1 and modify it so you can pour bulk DEF into it, unless money grows on trees for you.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by HZX540e

I'm prepared with a credit card in pocket ready to pull in the next the stations when the tank is around 1/4. But I reckon diesel is not available at every station that's why you have to be prepared. It occurred to me after asking the question.

it's not that easy. DEF is available everywhere in the US, but not the bottles with the special adapters used on our BMWs. BMW, MB and VW all designed this special interface on the DEF tank that is a spill proof locking mechanism. The problem with this design is that you potentially forever will get anally reamed by the dealer to buy their special bottles at $8 for 0.5 gallons.





When most other "murican" diesel trucks have a standard tank you just pour that stuff in like wiper fluid. Then you go to Walmart and buy a Peak DEF with a hose and just throw that shit in there. (but have high risk of spill and overfill).

[HZX540e]

WTH I had no idea that you have to do this for diesel cars. This is a mess I can't believe anybody would do that. Now I can see why you want to carry a bottle I don't blame you anymore. What is the stuff for anyway?

[alphaod]

I can't imagine this is any different than filling up your windshield fluid.

Originally Posted by HZX540e

What is the stuff for anyway?

You know that whole VW scandal were there is toxic amounts of NOx emissions. Well technically BMWs would have toxic levels, but when this stuff is sprayed into the exhaust hot gas, it cleans up the exhaust and produces cleaner nitrogen and water. So either we need DEF or we end up with "clean diesel."

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by HZX540e

WTH I had no idea that you have to do this for diesel cars. This is a mess I can't believe anybody would do that. Now I can see why you want to carry a bottle I don't blame you anymore. What is the stuff for anyway?

SCR systems, basically removes toxic nitrogen oxides out of the exhaust. Turns exhaust into more greenhouse friendly carbon dioxide, diatomic nitrogen and water. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Select...ytic_reduction

BTW, can you believe earlier model VW 2.0Ls did NOT have this system put in?!

Originally Posted by alphaod

I can't imagine this is any different than filling up your windshield fluid.

Either we can have DEF or we can have "clean diesel" from VAG.

All the euros have designed it this way and it's been this way for a while now. Euros designed it so it wasn't messy, but at a price of $8 for 1/2 gallon...hence why if you really wanted to save money, you modify the bottle and refill it with the bulk fluid at $12 for 10.5 gallons instead.

It's nice for Kruse Automotive GmbH to own a monopoly for this patented design, isn't it?

For most diesel trucks out there, they fill it like gasoline, though my guess is the risk of overfill is pretty high, but on those trucks, it just overfills and falls out on the exterior tank, no harm no foul. But the X5 has the fill hole inside the compartment, so you don't want a spill in there.

Ford F250:


Semis:

[HZX540e]

I've been living under a rock all my life. I thought the only difference between diesel and gas is juts pick the right nozzle when you fill your car. And I consider myself mechanically savvy, I repair many issues myself, down to taking the heads of my 92 chevy capris a couple of times (back in the days now).

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by HZX540e

I've been living under a rock all my life. I thought the only difference between diesel and gas is juts pick the right nozzle when you fill your car. And I consider myself mechanically savvy, I repair many issues myself, down to taking the heads of my 92 chevy capris a couple of times (back in the days now).

I was the same as you until I joined this forum and bought the F15 that requires this additive every year or so, for me at least.

My previous oil burner the E70 and my wife's Evoque don't need it because the EU regulations were different a few years back.

She's taking delivery of a Macan Diesel S next month so will be interesting to see how Porsche manage this regulation.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by HZX540e

WTH I had no idea that you have to do this for diesel cars. This is a mess I can't believe anybody would do that. Now I can see why you want to carry a bottle I don't blame you anymore. What is the stuff for anyway?

Pretty rare on diesels actually even here in the uk which is a huge diesel market.

Looking at my idrive it's going to ask for about 8L of it after approx 12000 miles which is wvery 8 months for me.

Faff, yes sure, but no big problem.

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by Baunton

She's taking delivery of a Macan Diesel S next month so will be interesting to see how Porsche manage this regulation.

On the Cayenne, the Ad-Blue tank is a circular tank in the spare wheel well, under the rear load floor, cleverly designed so the collapsible spare wheel fits over/around the tank. IIRC, the tank filler was on top of it?

Macan maybe different though.

[Baunton]

Originally Posted by GeeRam

On the Cayenne, the Ad-Blue tank is a circular tank in the spare wheel well, under the rear load floor, cleverly designed so the collapsible spare wheel fits over/around the tank. IIRC, the tank filler was on top of it?

Macan maybe different though.

I'll be sure to let you know because she certainly will NOT be topping it up

[coolmex200]

Originally Posted by HZX540e

WTH I had no idea that you have to do this for diesel cars. This is a mess I can't believe anybody would do that. Now I can see why you want to carry a bottle I don't blame you anymore. What is the stuff for anyway?

It's not like you fill it everyday...my old X5d got filled during oil changes (10k miles) and my X3d is the same way....about 10k and still not asking for the adblue