AdBlue capacity?

[ellangus]

My 2014 C220 D has told me to refill my adblue.

My indie service bloke told me to put 10L in, which I have and the warning has now gone.

I also bought an extra 10L as when I checked online I'm told that the tank holds 25L.
(Great price from Costco - 10 Litres for around £12).

My querie is, how much is left in the tank when the warning message comes up?
My car doesn't have the facility to check the AdBlue level on the dash.
I don't want to overfill and end up with AdBlue everywhere and having to do a big clean-up.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[DSM10000]

Does that handbook not give the figure?

 

[rf065]

I don't want to overfill and end up with AdBlue everywhere and having to do a big clean-up.

Any help would be appreciated.

You don't want to fill the tank, Adblue goes off and chrystalizes. Best to just keep a few litres in it before your looking at a big bill when it tells you the engine will not start in 500 miles.

 

[DSM10000]

You don't want to fill the tank, Adblue goes off and chrystalizes. Best to just keep a few litres in it before your looking at a big bill when it tells you the engine will not start in 500 miles.

It's not that black and white though according to this :

How to avoid AdBlue crystallisation

AdBlue crystallisation is an inconvenient problem for many people, particularly those driving in colder climates or conditions. When AdBlue crystallises, it can have terrible effects on your vehicle…

www.tuffa.co.uk

 

[rf065]

It's not that black and white though according to this :

How to avoid AdBlue crystallisation

AdBlue crystallisation is an inconvenient problem for many people, particularly those driving in colder climates or conditions. When AdBlue crystallises, it can have terrible effects on your vehicle…

www.tuffa.co.uk

Their advice is to keep tank full, well that never worked for me.
Looks like that whole piece was written by AI, but no, it was written by Tuffa Tanks who sell storage tanks for commercial adblue use.
The best laugh is this advice,

"In order for AdBlue to work correctly and not crystallise, you need to maintain its pump and pipeline; this means cleaning these areas once the ignition has been turned off. Proper emptying of the pipeline is the primary way to prevent any problems from occurring, including crystallisation.

We suggest getting in the habit of cleaning the pump as often as needed; trust us, your future self will thank you; it will also help you get the best use out of your AdBlue product since there will be far less wastage."

Very confusing as to what they are even talking about, cars or tanks.

 

[ellangus]

It's not that black and white though according to this :

How to avoid AdBlue crystallisation

AdBlue crystallisation is an inconvenient problem for many people, particularly those driving in colder climates or conditions. When AdBlue crystallises, it can have terrible effects on your vehicle…

www.tuffa.co.uk

Thanks all,

According to the article it says that "you keep the tank full" whilst @rf065 suggests the opposite.
I didn't realise the complications of using AdBlue!!

 

[rf065]

Thanks all,

According to the article it says that "you keep the tank full" whilst @rf065 suggests the opposite.
I didn't realise the complications of using AdBlue!!

Once your £2000 to £3000 in repairs, you'll start to understand.

 

[ellangus]

Once your £2000 to £3000 in repairs, you'll start to understand.

Ok, no need for the attitude! I'm not doubting your knowledge.
I just wasn't aware of the issues, that's why I'm asking these questions in the first place.

I've had the car for just over 2 years now, done around 20k miles and serviced on the nail and this is the first time it's asked for Adblue

 

[markjay]

Ok, no need for the attitude! I'm not doubting your knowledge.
I just wasn't aware of the issues, that's why I'm asking these questions in the first place.

I've had the car for just over 2 years now, done around 20k miles and serviced on the nail and this is the first time it's asked for Adblue

It's not attitude, he's just being honest.

MB's AdBlue is a @#!@$%@"# system that often breaks, can be expensive to diagnose, and often impossible to repair.

If the AdBlue level sensor failed, for example, your car will stop, and after recovering it to the dealer on a low loader, you will be told that the AdBlue level sensor only comes complete with the AdBlue tank (costing over grand just for the part), and for some inexplicable reason there are also some expensive NOx sensors to replace at the same time, as well as other bits and pieces of the AdBlue system.

£3k to £6k is not unrealistic. It a sh1te system. Apologies for the outburst, but rf065 was just being honset.

Best of Luck.

 

[ellangus]

It's not attitude, he's just being honest.

MB's AdBlue is a @#!@$%@"# system that often breaks, can be expensive to diagnose, and often impossible to repair.

If the AdBlue level sensor failed, for example, your car will stop, and after recovering it to the dealer on a low loader, you will be told that the AdBlue level sensor only comes complete with the AdBlue tank (costing over grand just for the part), and for some inexplicable reason there are also some expensive NOx sensors to replace at the same time, as well as other bits and pieces of the AdBlue system.

£3k to £6k is not unrealistic. It a sh1te system. Apologies for the outburst, but rf065 was just being honset.

Best of Luck.

OK.

Having just spoken to my MB Indie bloke, he confirms what rf065 said.

He suggested I put in only 10L (It's all about 'sell by' dates so check that before you fill) and when the car asks for AdBlue again, do the same as you DON'T want to overfill. He reckons there may be around 3-5L left in the tank when the message pops up

I just thought I'd put this up here in case anyone else has a similar query - Hope this helps.

Grateful to all for the advice. Have a great Christmas.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

OK.

Having just spoken to my MB Indie bloke, he confirms what rf065 said.

He suggested I put in only 10L (It's all about 'sell by' dates so check that before you fill) and when the car asks for AdBlue again, do the same as you DON'T want to overfill. He reckons there may be around 3-5L left in the tank when the message pops up

I just thought I'd put this up here in case anyone else has a similar query - Hope this helps.

Grateful to all for the advice. Have a great Christmas.

I'm on ad blue car number 2 . I've always kept mine full to the brim and put half a bottle of winns anti crystal formula in there that's 250 MLS . Ad blue that's kept in the dark and sealed from air will stand a better chance than the bottles standing outside of a garage in sunlight. I've had no issues so far . They do say after 2 years any ad blue in the tank should be drained and fresh put in. But I think that was before this anti crystal formula came about. Some will say it doesn't work ,but some maybe were late in adding it before their problems started. ?? For a 2014 car to not be having issues with ad blue , your obviously doing something right. Commercial ad blue now contains anti crystal formula afaik. Why it's not for cars I just don't comprehend.

As for filling your tank , it's no different to putting fuel in , why you'd spill it and have a mess I don't get . You just stop when it's full.

 

[Teego]

Just my POV. I've had my E350 bluetec for a year. I get adblue from a pump at the BP garage. I don't let it run low. The pump has a cutout so no spills or overflow. I only pay for what I need.

 

[rf065]

Ad blue that's kept in the dark and sealed from air will stand a better chance than the bottles standing outside of a garage in sunlight.

As it degrades under UV light, it makes you wonder why it's sold in clear containers and displayed out in the open on garage forecourts!
But there is no getting away from the fact that the entire system is badly designed, built. and in practice not fit for purpose.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

As it degrades under UV light, it makes you wonder why it's sold in clear containers and displayed out in the open on garage forecourts!
But there is no getting away from the fact that the entire system is badly designed, built. and in practice not fit for purpose.

Do you think it's all a pi$$ take ?

 

[rf065]

Do you think it's all a pi$$ take ?

Certainly a big money earner for everyone except the poor owners!

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Certainly a big money earner for everyone except the poor owners!

Version 4 Nox sensors says it all really. 2015 and 2016 were the early years ,the years they opted for cheap shit from China.

 

[ellangus]

As it degrades under UV light, it makes you wonder why it's sold in clear containers and displayed out in the open on garage forecourts!
But there is no getting away from the fact that the entire system is badly designed, built. and in practice not fit for purpose.

Have to agree with ALL the points you make here.
MB tell you to you must put this product in your car then when all goes tits up you have to pay these ridiculous bills to fix the car. As you say it's NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE. With many other products you'd have a case for the manufacturer to sort it out FOC. Seems that car manufacturers can do whatever they like with no recourse.
I have another issue with the infotainment system where the SatNav lags or freezes for anything from a few seconds to a minute at a time (Very frustrating in when trying to get somewhere unfamiliar) also the phone sometimes wont work or wont hag up at the end of a call.
Spoken to MB who suggested it could be need a software update. "OK can we do that?" I asked. "Yes, book it in and we'll do a diagnostic for £175 - if there's an update available we'll TRY that - £300. If that doesn't work, it will probably need a new header unit - £1000."

I love driving this car and I love the look of it but I don't think I'll be buying Mercedes again.

 

[markjay]

Have to agree with ALL the points you make here.
MB tell you to you must put this product in your car then when all goes tits up you have to pay these ridiculous bills to fix the car. As you say it's NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE. With many other products you'd have a case for the manufacturer to sort it out FOC. Seems that car manufacturers can do whatever they like with no recourse.
I have another issue with the infotainment system where the SatNav lags or freezes for anything from a few seconds to a minute at a time (Very frustrating in when trying to get somewhere unfamiliar) also the phone sometimes wont work or wont hag up at the end of a call.
Spoken to MB who suggested it could be need a software update. "OK can we do that?" I asked. "Yes, book it in and we'll do a diagnostic for £175 - if there's an update available we'll TRY that - £300. If that doesn't work, it will probably need a new header unit - £1000."

I love driving this car and I love the look of it but I don't think I'll be buying Mercedes again.

For the COMAND / Audio20 issue, look up an independent MB specialist with genuine STAR for the software update.

 

[ellangus]

For the COMAND / Audio20 issue, look up an independent MB specialist with genuine STAR for the software update.

Thanks for that, I'll have a look. Do you think I'll still be into a few hundred pounds though?

 

[ALFAitalia]

Do you think it's all a pi$$ take ?

Very good.....but clearly over the head of most on here !