It is a well-known fact that diesel engines emit more harmful gases than petrol engines. Over time, this increased pollution builds up, and can cause serious health problems and even smog and acid rain in densely populated areas. In recent years, laws have been introduced to deal with this increased pollution.

Since 2014, one of the ways car manufacturers have dealt with stricter emissions laws is to introduce a mandatory chemical called AdBlue to diesel vehicles. This urea-rich liquid is a fuel additive which, when added to your engine, is broken down into nitrogen and water vapour (both naturally occurring products), significantly reducing the nasty pollutants emitted by your diesel engine.

If you own a diesel vehicle built after 1 January 2014, it is highly likely you’ll need AdBlue.

The simplest way to check whether your car requires AdBlue is to look in your owner’s manual. Some vehicles have a small blue cap next to the black fuel cap under your fuel cap cover, on other vehicles the tank can be found in the boot or under the bonnet.

If an AdBlue indicator has appeared on your dashboard, don’t wait to top up. Running out of AdBlue can significantly increase your car’s emissions, and if left, can prevent your engine from starting altogether. Your car may also go into ‘limp mode’, reducing the speed at which you can drive.

Most diesel cars will need to be topped up each time the car is serviced. For high mileage drivers, more frequent top ups may be required. We recommend referring to your owner’s manual for more accurate information.