What is AdBlue – and where you can buy it in South Africa

AdBlue is a relatively new technology in South Africa that aims to reduce the impact diesel vehicles have on the environment.

According to the UK Automobile Association, AdBlue is a diesel exhaust fluid, not a fuel additive, that is stored in a separate tank which is generally topped via a blue filler cap located next to the standard fuel port.

The liquid is a colourless, non-toxic mixture of de-ionised water and urea, and is actually not blue at all.

AdBlue is added to diesel vehicles to help reduce harmful exhaust emissions by turning damaging pollutants into harmless gases that do less damage to the environment.

During the combustion cycle, tiny amounts of AdBlue are injected into the flow of exhaust gases and mix with the fumes a car produces.

It then turns into ammonia and carbon dioxide as temperatures rise, which react with the nitrogen oxide (NOx) gas from the engine and breaks it down into nitrogen and water vapour.

NOx gases are known to cause respiratory problems and contribute to the formation of particulate matter, smog, acid rain, and ground level ozone, making AdBlue a useful feature for the eco-conscious.

It must be noted, however, that AdBlue should never be poured directly into a fuel tank as it will cause irreparable damage. It is highly corrosive and can dissolve materials not listed as AdBlue-proof in ISO 22241.

Additionally, it’s only compatible with vehicles fitted with emissions technology known as Selective Catalytic Reduction.

In South Africa, two of the only passenger cars with AdBlue support currently comprise the new Ford Tourneo and Transit Custom, both of which come with a separate 20-litre AdBlue tank.

Where to buy AdBlue in South Africa

It’s rather effortless for those whose cars can handle it to find an AdBlue supplier in South Africa, and the liquid is also relatively affordable.

A 5-litre bottle from major retailer Makro costs R220, or you can get a 10-litre container directly from AdBlue manufacturer BlueSky for R263.58.

Consumers who want the convenience of next-day doorstep deliveries can also look to Takealot, where a 20-litre tub is available for R995, marked down from R1,200 at the time of writing.

If you don’t want to go out of your way to buy AdBlue, you can get it at select service stations around the country during a routine petrol stop. For one, the MBT garage in Alphen Park, Pretoria sells AdBlue to its patrons.

However, it’s not as widely available at service stops due to low demand in South Africa, so an online or brick-and-mortar store might be your best bet.