FPS Vital News Vital News 54 Apr-Jun 2019 | Page 5

VN 54 | APRIL – JUNE 2019 5 ADBLUE ® CARE & HANDLING Due to the nature of its function, AdBlue ® has to be free from contaminants such as dust and oil as they can cause damage to the system. While AdBlue ® tanks may sometimes be situated next to the diesel tank, the two fluids should never be mixed. Motorists with cars that require AdBlue ® will find that they don’t need a large amount of the solution to process diesel exhaust gases. The amount of AdBlue ® needed is equivalent to 1 - 6% of the diesel’s use per journey. GAUGE ALERT It is important that drivers pay attention to the AdBlue ® gauge located on the dashboard and ensure that they promptly refill when needed. If AdBlue ® runs out whilst the car is in use, the power and performance can be reduced in an effort to limit its emissions. Once it comes to a stop, one may find that the engine will not restart until the AdBlue ® is replenished. It’s important that drivers pay attention to the AdBlue ® gauge located on the dashboard It is very important to keep AdBlue ® clean. Refills should not be carried out with a container that has been previously used for other fluids. It is important to ensure that dirt is not introduced when removing the filler cap. NIX THE ALTERNATIVES It is important to only fill the vehicle with genuine and clearly marked AdBlue ® that is manufactured by a VDA licensed producer. Low-cost ‘alternatives’ can come at an expense of quality and purity, which may cause expensive damage to the system. Greenox ® AdBlue ® is produced by Tennants, a chemical producer based in UK with more than 200 years’ experience. With high purity raw materials sourced by reputable producers, Greenox ® is independently batch tested to ensure that it meets the ISO 22241 standard required by vehicle manufacturers. Available from FPS via same/next-day delivery, please speak to your local FPS representative for more information. IS ADBLUE ® HARVESTED FROM ANIMAL BYPRODUCTS? Due to the active ingredient (urea) of AdBlue ® , one of the biggest and longest standing myths is that it is made of animal by-products – this is simply not true. The level of purity needed for AdBlue ® to be effective cannot be achieved by animal by-product. The compound needs to be synthetically produced in order to ensure that it does not cause damage to the system. Hence, AdBlue ® should always be sourced from a VDA licensed producer. There is no substitute for AdBlue ® and the tank should never be filled with any other fluid including tap water. WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL WITH NOX? During the fuel combustion process, nitrogen and oxygen atoms are released. They bind together to form nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ). These gases make up the generic term, nitrous oxides (NOx) which is hazardous to the environment and damage respiratory health. They contribute to the formation of smog and acid rain.