Your Volkswagen car is fitted with an advanced emissions control system, which helps your vehicle meet the latest Euro 6 exhaust gas regulations.
How does the system work?
AdBlue®, a water/urea based additive, is stored in a tank (like diesel fuel), however, unlike fuel it is not injected into the engine, but directly into a specially modified part of the vehicle’s exhaust. This begins a chemical reaction which removes the polluting oxides of nitrogen (NOx), converting them into harmless oxygen and nitrogen in a process known as Selective Catalytic Reduction, or SCR for short. SCR is only applicable to diesel engines and the more economically you drive, typically, the less AdBlue® you will use.
The size of the AdBlue® tank fitted to your car will vary depending on which Volkswagen model you have, therefore the interval between top-ups will vary. In addition, many factors such as mileage, journey type, driving style and environmental conditions can influence how much AdBlue® is consumed. A passenger car can consume approximately 1.5 litres of AdBlue® every 620 miles (1.0€“1.5 litres for the Passat and Passat Estate). The chart below details the AdBlue® tank size and location for all Volkswagen models that use SCR.
How will I know if the system needs topping-up?
A series of warnings will be given via the driver information system, accompanied by advice/messages.
The first message is displayed when the remaining range is approximately 1,500 miles, and is repeated every 62 miles until the range reaches 1,000 miles, at which point the warning turns amber. This warning is repeated every 31 miles and is accompanied by an audible tone. If these warnings are not acted upon, the warning turns red; once this happens the car will not restart once the ignition is turned off. This is not a fault, but a required feature of the system. If this stage is reached the system will need a full top-up before the car can be restarted. Further information is available in the vehicle handbook.
