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When I am driving a TDI model and the AdBlue warning light comes on, I am asked,
“Will it stop if I don’t refill it immediately?” or
“Is it true that I will not be able to drive?”
You will be anxious.
AdBlue is the urea water needed to purify the exhaust gases of diesel vehicles,
and it will notify you with a warning light when the remaining amount is low.
However, in the case of VW, if you ignore the warning, you will not be able to restart, so you need to be careful.
In this article, we will introduce the meaning of AdBlue warning lights, the range that can be driven, common causes, replenishment methods, and estimated repair costs in an easy-to-understand manner.
When the warning light comes on, the first article
👉to readWhen the warning light comes on, the degree of urgency and the main cause and repair cost by color and lighting pattern
- ABS Warning Light
- Airbag warning light
- ACC Lane Assist Front Assist Warning Light
- Gearbox (DSG) Warning Light
- ESP/ESC warning light
- Oil pressure warning light
- Battery Warning Light
- Side brake/EPB warning light
- Steering/Power Steering Warning Light
- Tire Pressure Warning Light (TPMS)
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- Meaning of AdBlue warning lights (color, lighting/flashing, what does it indicate)
- 3 points to check first (in order of importance)
- Common causes of AdBlue warning lights (organized for VW)
- Driving when the AdBlue warning light is on
- How to refill AdBlue (what you can do yourself)
- Approximate repair cost (AdBlue-related)
- What happens if left unattended?
- Information to organize before consulting a specialized factory
- FAQ
- Defect details by vehicle type
Meaning of AdBlue warning lights (color, lighting/flashing, what does it indicate)
The AdBlue warning light is part of the SCR system (exhaust gas purifier) that diesel vehicles have.
When the urea water decreases, NOx (nitrogen oxides) cannot be purified,
so it lights up as a warning light for “warning” to signal a decrease in residual water.
Features of AdBlue lamps
- Yellow light: Signal of low remaining energy
- Countdown display: Remaining mileage
- When the warning progresses, “Distance to no restart” is displayed
- Red light or message in progress: Remaining power is close to zero, urgency is high
When the remaining level reaches completely zero,
the engine restart is locked (specification according to regulations).
3 points to check first (in order of importance)
(1) What stage of warning?
VW will be warned in stages.
- “AdBlue replenishment required”
- “The engine doesn’t start after ○○km”
- Red lamp, almost zero remaining amount
- We can’t start again.
In particular, if the distance display is displayed, it is essential to replenish it as soon as possible.
(2) When the warning is turned on
- After a long distance?
- Haven’t been running in a while?
- Only when the temperature is low?
This system is prone to false positives even in temperature and usage conditions.
(3) Warning lights that are on at the same time
- Check engine light
- Glow Plug Warning
If these are lit at the same time, the possibility of a fault on the sensor side increases.
Common causes of AdBlue warning lights (organized for VW)
(1) Simple Insufficient AdBlue Remaining Capacity
The most common case. Replenishment will solve the problem.
(2) Crystallization of AdBlue
Urea water is easy to crystallize due to temperature differences and evaporation.
- Tank interior
- Suction port
- Sometimes crystals can stick to the pump
and cause malfunctions.
(3) Defective NOx sensor
One of the most common problems with TDI.
If the sensor malfunctions, the warning may light up even if there is still a charge.
👉Summary of VW vehicle NOx sensor malfunction and repair cost estimate
(4) AdBlue heater failure
Symptoms that are common in winter (especially below freezing). The heater works to prevent the urea water from solidifying, but if it fails,
it cannot be supplied and the warning light will turn on.
(5) Defect of the SCR system itself
A warning will be issued if a clogged pipe or an injector injection abnormality occurs.
Driving when the AdBlue warning light is on
Cases where you can drive
- The yellow light is just on
- There is enough countdown distance left
- No engine problems
- No abnormal noise
In this case, there is a grace period until refilling.
Cases where driving is dangerous
- Red Lamp
- The countdown has been reduced to several tens of kilometers
- The check engine light also comes on
- Output is dropping
Although it can be driven itself,
it needs to be replenished or inspected before it becomes impossible to restart.
How to refill AdBlue (what you can do yourself)
VW TDI has an AdBlue supply inlet on the fuel inlet side or under the trunk (depending on the model).
If you decide to refill it yourself, check the following points:
Uses commercially available AdBlue (JIS standard AUS32)
You can buy it at home centers and stands.
Refill minimum 5L or more
*Because it is difficult to disappear the warning if it is a small amount
*There is no problem even if it is full.
After refilling, it may take some time for the ECU to recognize
- Drive a few kilometers
- Once the engine is turned off and restarted,
there are many cases where it disappears.
If the warning does not go away
There is a high possibility that the sensor or pump is defective, so it needs to be inspected.
Approximate repair cost (AdBlue-related)
| Fault location | Contents | Cost estimate |
|---|---|---|
| AdBlue Supplement | Commercially available products | 1,000 to 2,000 yen/5L |
| Tank crystallization cleaning | Cleaning | 1-20,000 yen |
| NOx Sensor Replacement | Parts replacement | 4-70,000 yen |
| AdBlue Pump Replacement | Parts replacement | 6-120,000 yen |
| Bad heater | Exchange | 4-100,000 yen |
| SCR-related blockages | Inspection and Cleaning | 1-30,000 yen |
You can scroll
*It may vary greatly depending on the vehicle model.
👉Summary of maintenance and custom costs & working days of VW specialty store Nile Plus
What happens if left unattended?
Ignoring the AdBlue warning light carries the following risks:
- It becomes impossible to restart (you can drive, but the engine does not start next time)
- Power Limit (Power Down)
- Exhaust gas purification cannot be done normally, and environmental performance deteriorates
- Increased load on the SCR system
- May lead to expensive repairs
In particular, be careful of the display “The engine does not start after ○○ km”.
So there are three options
In such a case, there are three realistic options for VW owners:
(1) First, a mechanic who is strong in diagnosis and estimation of
imported cars will identify the cause and propose the minimum necessary.
▶ Find a VW repair shop (buv.LABO)
(2) Foreign car specialty for appraisal
maintenance history and external parts plus assessment before high-cost repairs.
▶ Free appraisal with foreign car baton
(3) “New car at a fixed price” to avoid repair cost risk Relieve
yourself from breakdown stress with a monthly fee including vehicle inspection, tax, and maintenance.
One point
Even if you think it’s okay because you can run, you’re actually holding a bomb that you don’t know when it will explode.
The sooner you move, the less cost and damage you will have.
Information to organize before consulting a specialized factory
- When the warning came out
- Remaining Countdown Distance
- Recent AdBlue Refill History
- Whether it is winter (heater influence)
- Presence of other warning lights
This information will help you identify the cause faster.
FAQ
Q1. How often does AdBlue need to be refilled?
It depends on the driving conditions, but generally every 5,000 to 10,000 km is a guideline.
Q2. Can I run with the warning light on?
If it is yellow, you can run, but it is safe to refill it before the countdown progresses.
Q3. Why doesn’t the warning go away when I refill?
The cause on the part side may be sensor malfunction, crystallization, pump failure, etc.
Q4. Is it okay to replenish it yourself?
If you use the standard product (AUS32), there is no problem. However, you need to be careful as it is easy to crystallize if spilled.
Q5. What happens if it becomes impossible to restart?
It will be transported to the factory by tow truck, and the tank will need to be inspected and the system reset.
Defect details by vehicle type
Although the “way of getting out” the defect is similar, “which model has many problems” is slightly different for each car model.
Trends by vehicle model and common breakdown cases among other owners are summarized on the following page.
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