Ran out of Adblue now Audi A5, won't start even after refilling some

tacofries

Hi All,

I ran out of adblue in my 2016 audi a5 sportsback. I filled it up with about 8l of the stuff but the car still will not turn on. Any ideas how to fix it? I'm parked in a sh#%y place so don't want to wait for a mechanic.

Many Thanks,

iwillhtfu

Did you fill the tank or just empty a bottle? It may need a complete fill of adblue I think the VW I had needed 8.5L minimum.

Toyotafanboi

If it ran completely out of adblue it has to be reset by a dealer or someone with ODIS to restart.

Usually you get one last stab at it though. 8 litres wont be enough for a start, excuse the pun. Turn the ignition off, fill the adblue tank until filling starts to slow down but dont keep cramming after that, i think they hold 20 litres, so you need to add another 10 or 11 litres. Then turn the ignition on, wait 30 seconds you should hear a beep and see the adblue range change. Turn the ignition off, then start the car.

If that doesn't work, you'll need a mechanic or a dealer. 8 litres certainly wont do for now though, if you've ran dry.

tacofries

iwillhtfu wrote: »

Did you fill the tank or just empty a bottle? It may need a complete fill of adblue I think the VW I had needed 8.5L minimum.

I put 10l in. Audi said the sensor needs a minimum of 5l to automatically reset so thought that would be enough.

tacofries

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

If it ran completely out of adblue it has to be reset by a dealer or someone with ODIS to restart.

Usually you get one last stab at it though. 8 litres wont be enough for a start, excuse the pun. Turn the ignition off, fill the adblue tank until filling starts to slow down but dont keep cramming after that, i think they hold 20 litres, so you need to add another 10 or 11 litres. Then turn the ignition on, wait 30 seconds you should hear a beep and see the adblue range change. Turn the ignition off, then start the car.

If that doesn't work, you'll need a mechanic or a dealer. 8 litres certainly wont do for now though, if you've ran dry.

Thanks a lot! I'll go and try that and let you know how it goes. Would the AA be able to fix it at the roadside?

iwillhtfu

tacofries wrote: »

I put 10l in. Audi said the sensor needs a minimum of 5l to automatically reset so thought that would be enough.

Cycle the ignition a couple of times on and off and then try start. I've ran out of it before and I didn't need any kind of reset but it does need a complete fill of adblue.

iwillhtfu

tacofries wrote: »

Would the AA be able to fix it at the roadside?

Shouldn't be a problem for them.

Atlantic Dawn

Apparently if you put the key to On position (position before car starts, leave it at this for 30 seconds without touching anything and you will hear a beep and you can then start the car, this will give you 35 miles, can only be done once...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhCTH15dFtU

tacofries

Success!! Thanks a lot. Great effort from the Boards.ie team Tried it again before putting in more adblue, wouldn't work. Then stuck another 8l and it started straight away. It took 18l in total.

Thanks

listermint

Jesus they're a ****e effort of car to run

tacofries

listermint wrote: »

Jesus they're a ****e effort of car to run

Its the first issue I've had since I got it a year ago. Only other thing I dont like is the tyre pressure sensor is way too sensitive.

Its worth putting up with the above though for the look of the lights alone haha

richardsheil

listermint wrote: »

Jesus they're a ****e effort of car to run

The car warns you repeatedly to top up. Not really its fault.

Glad Op got sorted

obi604

Sorry for ignorance. But what is adblue and why is it needed?

tacofries

obi604 wrote: »

Sorry for ignorance. But what is adblue and why is it needed?

Its an additive to help reduce emissions. The car will warn you with 1000km to go so you get loads of warning.

corkgsxr

richardsheil wrote: »

The car warns you repeatedly to top up. Not really its fault.

Glad Op got sorted

I get warned in steps down for 2400klms

obi604

tacofries wrote: »

Its an additive to help reduce emissions. The car will warn you with 1000km to go so you get loads of warning.

Thanks. Is it needed in only certain cars?
Never even heard of it etc.

listermint

richardsheil wrote: »

The car warns you repeatedly to top up. Not really its fault.

Glad Op got sorted

That's not my point.

My point is it needs it to run..its a bloody additive.

That's what's ****e, ergo it's ****e. A ****e system.

Box ticking exercise.

CoBo55

listermint wrote: »

That's not my point.

My point is it needs it to run..its a bloody additive.

That's what's ****e, ergo it's ****e. A ****e system.

Box ticking exercise.

Just stop will you, every bloody thread you're there talking absolute bollox, the car gives warning after warning long before it runs empty, it costs practically nothing if you fill it from a pump. I think it's 6c a litre locally. It's pretty simple, if you don't want ad blue buy a "self-charging" hybrid..

listermint

CoBo55 wrote: »

Just stop will you, every bloody thread you're there talking absolute bollox, the car gives warning after warning long before it runs empty, it costs practically nothing if you fill it from a pump. I think it's 6c a litre locally. It's pretty simple, if you don't want ad blue buy a "self-charging" hybrid..

Sorry I don't know you and I've no idea why you travel around threads after me. It's a bit sad.

But defending adblue is a gas. It's a ****e additive that they came up to box tick diesels in Europe. It's a rubbish system and its gone they won't be making it anymore.

But sure knock yourself out and weirdly defend something that costs you more money to run and stops your car entirely if it isn't filled. Did I mention it's meant to be an additive and not vital to operation...


. Go rub that cat you need. Rub it real good it's Christmas

CoBo55

listermint wrote: »

Sorry I don't know you and I've no idea why you travel around threads after me. It's a bit sad.

But defending adblue is a gas. It's a ****e additive that they came up to box tick diesels in Europe. It's a rubbish system and its gone they won't be making it anymore.

But sure knock yourself out and weirdly defend something that costs you more money to run and stops your car entirely if it isn't filled. Did I mention it's meant to be an additive and not vital to operation...


. Go rub that cat you need. Rub it real good it's Christmas

Jesus don't flatter yourself. I'm not defending anything, if the car uses adblue it needs adblue, calling it **** this and **** that makes no difference it still needs adblue, as I stated earlier it causes feck all if you do some research on where to buy it. Anyway the op is up and running and I'm sure they'll heed the dash warnings next time around.
Toodles babee I'm off to find a cat:pac::pac:

ba_barabus

obi604 wrote: »

Sorry for ignorance. But what is adblue and why is it needed?

It's piss, honestly.

It is something that turns me off modern diesels

Panrich

ba_barabus wrote: »

It's piss, honestly.

It is something that turns me off modern diesels

Well not all diesel cars use it. I’m sure it’s a VAG thing only.

bazz26

It's not a VAG thing only. Trucks have been using AdBlue for donkey years. It's mandatory on new diesel cars the last few years to make them cleaner and comply with stringent emission tests.

Panrich

bazz26 wrote: »

It's not a VAG thing only. Trucks have been using AdBlue for donkey years. It's mandatory on new diesel cars the last few years to make them cleaner and comply with stringent emission tests.

We’ve two newish Honda diesels and neither have it. I have seen it on the forecourt alright and wondered what it was. Sounds a bit mad.

DeepBlue

Panrich wrote: »

Well not all diesel cars use it. I’m sure it’s a VAG thing only.

Peugeot vans use it also. Tbh never heard about it until relatively recently either and didn't know it could leave you stuck on the side of the road if it ran out.

FGR

Panrich wrote: »

We’ve two newish Honda diesels and neither have it. I have seen it on the forecourt alright and wondered what it was. Sounds a bit mad.

Honda is very proud of the current 1.6 diesel which gets ~64mpg on the combined cycle in WLTP and ~83mpg combined on NEDC. It's a great piece of tech imo and, although I'm not aware of how reliable it is - based on Hondas of old I would suspect that it should stand the test of time.

I might be wrong but I think the only downside is more frequent servicing.

I would still like to see how far these companies can go with traditional ICE tech as opposed to ditching it altogether overnight for the alternatives.

bazz26

Panrich wrote: »

We’ve two newish Honda diesels and neither have it. I have seen it on the forecourt alright and wondered what it was. Sounds a bit mad.

It depends on the make/model/engine, production date and emission rating. It was phased in initially in some cars but more stringent emission ratings lately have given manufacturers little choice to use it in their diesel engines.

Irish Steve

AdBlue is used in many more vehicles than just VAG, and also very much used in heavy commercials, and yes, it's related to finding ways to reduce diesel emissions. As to the validity of forcing ever more restrictive limits on vehicles, talk to your local Green party representative for their take on things.

It's widely available in a lot of outlets, not just motor trade outlets, as well as being on pump in some places, running out is not something that should happen without warning, and yes, some engines will refuse to operate if the tank runs out.

In some Fords, if the tank is over filled, the internal sensor does not recognise that the tank is now full, so it pays to read the owner manual to find out what the refill procedure is before putting more in the tank, different makes have very different tank sizes.

It's better than some of the systems it replaced, the PSA Eolys system for example can't be reset without access to a professional OBD computer, and is a revolting job to refill, needing a ramp in some cases to remove covers over the tank that the fluid goes in, and there are different connectors depending on the tank size, and even the VIN is not able to help determine which is the right refill for some models.

Adblue is also a help in avoiding the hassles of blocked EGR valves or sooted up DPF units, which are regular occurrences in diesels that are being used for short local commutes, and these sorts of problems can be expensive to repair. There are now specialist companies that offer a DPF cleaning service, which is a lot better than having to replace the DPF, which was for some makes the only option until recently.

If you don't like it, then find a viable alternative, petrol, hybrid or electric, as it's not going away any time soon, diesels that use it will be around for some time to come, as they tend to be the more recent models. For now, there are no other alternatives, maybe with time Hydrogen will become a viable alternative, but that's a long way away. Until then, accept that it's a consumable operating cost, like tyres, or brake pads, as that is the reality.

Truckermal

I'd hate to see the service history of that Car is she can't be bothered topping up with Adblue! I wouldn't mind it warns you for nearly 2500 km!

tacofries

Truckermal wrote: »

I'd hate to see the service history of that Car is she can't be bothered topping up with Adblue! I wouldn't mind it warns you for nearly 2500 km!

Good thing you won't have to !

bazz26

Some forget to put fuel in too.

Atlantic Dawn

Lots of trucks using defeat devices in this country to get around it. Just search Donedeal for Adblue to see how many offering the service, it's rampant.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/no-action-taken-on-illegal-exhaust-systems-d30xzx0k2

obi604

Silly q, but is there an obvious way to know if a car needs ad blue?

California Dreamer

obi604 wrote: »

Silly q, but is there an obvious way to know if a car needs ad blue?

If you are asking this question, chances are you don't!

iwillhtfu

obi604 wrote: »

Silly q, but is there an obvious way to know if a car needs ad blue?

Read the owners manual. It will also throw a warning similar to low fuel when it need topping up, usually this is around 2.5k km to go so it's by no means instant.

Adblue filler neck is usually beside the fuel filler neck. Some cars or at least VW caddy have the fill under the bonnet similar to a screen wash fill.

CoBo55

Panrich wrote: »

We’ve two newish Honda diesels and neither have it. I have seen it on the forecourt alright and wondered what it was. Sounds a bit mad.

Why don't you try doing a bit of research on it instead of coming on here sounding like Fr. Dougal.
While your at it look up eolys fluid. Run out of that on the side of the road and you're stranded.

biko

CoBo55 wrote: »

Why don't you try doing a bit of research on it instead of coming on here sounding like Fr. Dougal.

Threadbanned until after St Stephen's Day.

Car99

Panrich wrote: »

Well not all diesel cars use it. I’m sure it’s a VAG thing only.

You shouldnt be so sure as it's in alot of cars from most manufacturers including lorries and buses.

Guy:Incognito

DeepBlue wrote: »

didn't know it could leave you stuck on the side of the road if it ran out.

Wait till you hear about petrol and diesel..........

biko

It's different from fuels as its not needed to propel the car.

To prevent the car from starting is a "design feature" to prevent people driving without it and dirty the environment. Greta couldn't be happier.

gtv2002g

Certa have this at the pumps it is 49 c a litre at the moment....I run two diesels that have it the first one is a 2016 Mercedes e class which uses very little ....probably only 10 litres a year though I don’t do much mileage in it only 8 to 10 k a year the second is a 2015 twin wheel transit minibus which does about 35k a year which literally drinks it about 3 to 4 litres a week ......neither of them smell like diesels when they are running and no egr problems with either..

blue5000

OP glad you got it sorted. My wife's 05 D4D Avensis has 400,000 km on the clock, on a good run it still averages 60 mpg, no need for ad-blue. We're thinking of changing it in the new year as the high tax rate is a bitch. Would you consider a straight swop? Ours needs a dip bulb on the driver's side.

Its made from pigs piss.

Lucifer

BrownFinger wrote: »

Its made from pigs piss.

It is not. A quick Google will confirm this.

iwillhtfu

Lucifer wrote: »

It is not. A quick Google will confirm this.

Semantics

What is AdBlue made of?
AdBlue is a non-toxic liquid that’s colourless in appearance and is essentially a solution of water and urea – a substance found in urine. However, in AdBlue, the urea is exceptionally pure and is of a higher grade than that used in cosmetics, glue or fertilisers. Similarly, the water is demineralised, which is far cleaner than water from the tap.

I think this thread has served it's purpose and can be put to bed now.

Lucifer

It is not semantics. Here are too different sites explaining it.

AdBlue® is a synthetic, highly purified solution of urea and demineralized water NOT pigs urine. Whilst the chemical urea is in pigs' urine, it is found in much lower concentration alongside many other elements.


The liquid solution is made up of 32.5% urea and 67.5% de-ionised water. You may be wondering, where does the urea in AdBlue come from? Well, AdBlue urea is made by heating up synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide.

So it is not pig urine. If it was semantics you may as well say it is made from human sweat.

It's pigs piss.
Just accept it .
It's much funnier telling people they are putting pig piss in their cars.

Lucifer

I'll stick with this

AdBlue urea is made by heating up synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide

If it makes you happy you stick with your alternative facts

frozenfrozen

that's very similar to the recipe I use to make pig piss although it's getting much more difficult to source the ammonia

Lucifer

Lucifer wrote: »

I'll stick with this

AdBlue urea is made by heating up synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide

If it makes you happy you stick with your alternative facts

:rolleyes:

iwillhtfu

Lucifer wrote: »

It is not semantics. Here are too different sites explaining it.

AdBlue® is a synthetic, highly purified solution of urea and demineralized water NOT pigs urine. Whilst the chemical urea is in pigs' urine, it is found in much lower concentration alongside many other elements.


The liquid solution is made up of 32.5% urea and 67.5% de-ionised water. You may be wondering, where does the urea in AdBlue come from? Well, AdBlue urea is made by heating up synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide.

So it is not pig urine. If it was semantics you may as well say it is made from human sweat.

I'll repeat I think this thread has ran it's course. Arguing over synthetic v au natural urea. I think boards may have hit a new low :rolleyes: