[REEL ADDICTION]

I have 5100 miles on my tdi treg the computer is telling me to take it in for service my question is how many miles can you drive without adding the bluetec

 

[brockmt]

I just took my 2010 in for its 5,000 mile servicing. They added about 1.5 gallons of adblue to my reservoir.(the tank holds a little of 4 gallons) I was told one tank should last you anywhere from 6,000 to 10,000 miles depending on your driving habits.

 

[schubie]

If I'm not mistaken, you'll get an actual warning message when there's less than 1000 or 1500 mi worth of adblue to go. So unless you're seeing that, you should be OK.

 

[rucyrius]

i had the adblue light come on and warned me that i had 1500 miles to go... i have about 9500 miles on the car...

 

[medic92]

I think I read somewhere that if the adblue tank is empty the car won't start.

 

[REEL ADDICTION]

I took my 09 to the dealer the screen was reading 0 miles till service or 2 days I had 5100 miles.

 

[schubie]

I think the adblue low-level warning and service reminder are two different displays. The former--mentioned by rucyrius--will eventually result in the truck not starting if ignored. The latter--mentioned above--is just an indication that the adblue servicing scheduled for every 5k mi (in US models) is upcoming. Hope this helps--Chris

 

[DCC]

Is there a manual level check for the Adblue solution?
(kind of like a dip stick)?

 

[Yeti]

Is there a manual level check for the Adblue solution?
(kind of like a dip stick)?

I don't think there is given I believe you just screw the bottle into some sort of fitting on the tank to fill it. Don't quote me on that one though since I have not investigated it myself yet. I am just getting through my 4th tank of fuel on mine.

 

[grmaster1]

You can theoretically drive for many, many, many thousands of miles without AdBlue--the trick is to not shut off the engine...

Your VW will give you plenty of warnings: 1500 miles, 1200, 900, 450 (these are the ones I've seen on mine), etc.--so you should have some time and mileage before you cannot get it started.

 

[schubie]

Is there a manual level check for the Adblue solution?
(kind of like a dip stick)?

Like Yeti said, there's doesn't appear to be. I think they just keep screwing & emptying bottles into it until the glugs stop.

 

[DCC]

So if I am to do my own refill, there is no way to know in advance how many bottles to buy since I don't know how low the fluid is...

 

[Yeti]

So if I am to do my own refill, there is no way to know in advance how many bottles to buy since I don't know how low the fluid is...

Nope, not really.

 

[strokethis2]

You can buy adblue in bulk (larger jugs). While I do not know if all dealers carry different sized jugs, I believe my dealer (Emich of Denver, Emich VW Parts posts on this forum) had them in 3gal size. The one caveat to having large jugs of the stuff, is that I was told it has a 1yr shelf life (Google it), so you could find yourself with some highly refined pee gone bad. LOL

 

[rineman1]

I was told that if you buy a bottle bigger than the 1/2 gal ($8.50) bottle that it will not have the required screw top needed to fit the tank. You can buy the bigger bottle but you would have to pour it into the 1/2 bottle first then fill the rear tank with the 1/2 gal.

 

[schubie]

That rings a bell, and seems like pretty important info for DIY'ers to keep in mind. I haven't done it myself (yet). But I recall reading lots of warnings about inhaling this or spilling it.

 

[strokethis2]

I was told that if you buy a bottle bigger than the 1/2 gal ($8.50) bottle that it will not have the required screw top needed to fit the tank. You can buy the bigger bottle but you would have to pour it into the 1/2 bottle first then fill the rear tank with the 1/2 gal.

Does not surprise me, that is typical of bulk liquid purchases. Not a show stopper unless you really want a lot of smaller bottles.