Euro 6, AdBlue and your business

Euro 6 regulations mean that, from September 2016, certain Mercedes-Benz Vans are required to use AdBlue technology.

Here’s what your business needs to know.

The European Emissions Standard was introduced in 1993 to reduce air pollution in urban areas by limiting the volume of harmful gases and particulate matter that vehicles can emit. The introduction of new limits was phased, to give manufacturers time to develop new systems and technologies. Phase six – Euro 6 – comes into force in September 2016 and is designed primarily to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by up to 55%.

At Mercedes-Benz we take our environmental responsibilities seriously and strive to be at the forefront of technology. We were the first manufacturer to offer AdBlue systems in our Sprinter vans in July 2013 – three years ahead of the mandatory deadline – and since then, Vito and Sprinter models have adopted AdBlue well in advance of the legal deadline.

How does AdBlue work?

AdBlue is a clear liquid – 32.5% Urea in purified water. It’s stored in a tank and dosed automatically by the vehicle directly into the exhaust selective catalytic reduction system, at precisely the rate required to help turn nitrous oxides produced by the engine into harmless nitrogen and water.

How do I know if my Mercedes-Benz van needs AdBlue?

Our Citan models don’t use AdBlue. Vito (447) models that require AdBlue have a blue filler cap in the fuel filler compartment, while Sprinter (906) models have a blue filler cap in the engine bay.

What happens if I don’t use AdBlue?

Vehicle manufacturers aren’t just legally required to take measures to control harmful emissions – we’re required by law to install systems to make sure you use them, too. A dashboard message will let you know when you’re 500 miles (Vito) or 1000 miles (Sprinter) away from needing to refill. Subsequent messages will alert you as levels fall, and when

they reach 4% a warning countdown will begin. If the AdBlue tank runs dry, the vehicle will fail to restart once the ignition is off if you drive a Vito or 4-cylinder Sprinter, while V6 Sprinters will go into limp mode.

It’s therefore vital to make sure all drivers are aware of the new requirements, to minimise downtime caused by failure to respond to warnings.

Euro 6 – your questions answered

How can I reduce/control my AdBlue consumption?

It’s primarily related to fuel consumption, so the same factors apply – engine load, terrain and temperature, which are factors outside of your control, and driving style. Encouraging drivers to adopt economical driving practices – smooth acceleration and deceleration, maintaining a reasonable speed – will all help reduce your AdBlue consumption and keep running costs down.

What are the business benefits of AdBlue?

As well as cleaner, less toxic air in urban spaces – with its associated health and environmental benefits – there are likely to be business benefits to using an AdBlue system too.

It’s highly likely that Vehicle Excise Duty on vans will soon be calculated based on emissions, in line with passenger cars, with pre-Euro 6 vehicles paying more more.

City drivers should also note that if London’s new Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is implemented according to the information we have at time of press, from 2020 only Euro 6 or later diesels will be allowed to enter free of charge. Other diesel vehicles will have to pay.

How often will I need to fill up on AdBlue?It depends on what you drive and how and where you drive it, but we can give you an idea:

Sprinter (all models)

Vito (all models)

* These are indicative figures based on NEDC Combined Fuel Consumption figures of 25 mpg and may alter in service based on operational fuel consumption figure.

AdBlue tank capacity

18 litre 3,000

11.5 litre 2,000

Mileage range per tank refill*

The European Emissions Standard was introduced in 1993 to reduce air pollution in urban areas by limiting the volume of harmful gases and particulate matter that vehicles can emit. The introduction of new limits was phased, to give manufacturers time to develop new systems and technologies. Phase six – Euro 6 – comes into force in September 2016 and is designed primarily to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides by up to 55%.

At Mercedes-Benz we take our environmental responsibilities seriously and strive to be at the forefront of technology. We were the first manufacturer to offer AdBlue systems in our Sprinter vans in July 2013 – three years ahead of the mandatory deadline – and since then, Vito and Sprinter models have adopted AdBlue well in advance of the legal deadline.

How does AdBlue work?

AdBlue is a clear liquid – 32.5% Urea in purified water. It’s stored in a tank and dosed automatically by the vehicle directly into the exhaust selective catalytic reduction system, at precisely the rate required to help turn nitrous oxides produced by the engine into harmless nitrogen and water.

How do I know if my Mercedes-Benz van needs AdBlue?

Our Citan models don’t use AdBlue. Vito (447) models that require AdBlue have a blue filler cap in the fuel filler compartment, while Sprinter (906) models have a blue filler cap in the engine bay.

What happens if I don’t use AdBlue?

Vehicle manufacturers aren’t just legally required to take measures to control harmful emissions – we’re required by law to install systems to make sure you use them, too. A dashboard message will let you know when you’re 500 miles (Vito) or 1000 miles (Sprinter) away from needing to refill. Subsequent messages will alert you as levels fall, and when

they reach 4% a warning countdown will begin. If the AdBlue tank runs dry, the vehicle will fail to restart once the ignition is off if you drive a Vito or 4-cylinder Sprinter, while V6 Sprinters will go into limp mode.

It’s therefore vital to make sure all drivers are aware of the new requirements, to minimise downtime caused by failure to respond to warnings.

Euro 6 – your questions answered

How can I reduce/control my AdBlue consumption?

It’s primarily related to fuel consumption, so the same factors apply – engine load, terrain and temperature, which are factors outside of your control, and driving style. Encouraging drivers to adopt economical driving practices – smooth acceleration and deceleration, maintaining a reasonable speed – will all help reduce your AdBlue consumption and keep running costs down.

What are the business benefits of AdBlue?

As well as cleaner, less toxic air in urban spaces – with its associated health and environmental benefits – there are likely to be business benefits to using an AdBlue system too.

It’s highly likely that Vehicle Excise Duty on vans will soon be calculated based on emissions, in line with passenger cars, with pre-Euro 6 vehicles paying more more.

City drivers should also note that if London’s new Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is implemented according to the information we have at time of press, from 2020 only Euro 6 or later diesels will be allowed to enter free of charge. Other diesel vehicles will have to pay.

How often will I need to fill up on AdBlue?It depends on what you drive and how and where you drive it, but we can give you an idea:

Sprinter (all models)

Vito (all models)

* These are indicative figures based on NEDC Combined Fuel Consumption figures of 25 mpg and may alter in service based on operational fuel consumption figure.

AdBlue tank capacity

18 litre 3,000

11.5 litre 2,000

Mileage range per tank refill*

Using AdBlue safely

We know you can’t afford to stopIt’s a good idea to keep a stock of AdBlue - talk to your local dealer about competitive prices on Mercedes-Benz AdBlue

• Make sure your van is parked on level ground when filling up, to avoid overfilling and damaging the exhaust system.

• Contaminated AdBlue can also damage the exhaust system – never refill the tank with AdBlue that’s been removed from the vehicle, and never add water or any other additives.

• AdBlue is not a fuel additive – it’s added to the exhaust system once the fuel is burned. Don’t add it to your fuel tank, and never use oil or fuel dispensing equipment to top up your AdBlue.

• Spilled AdBlue can stain if left to crystallise, and also corrode paintwork over time. Wipe up any spills immediately with water.

• Only use AdBlue conforming to ISO 22241 standard.