Need to refill AdBlue at 11k ($220). Is this inline with what others owners are seeing?

 

and the 07s go a few notches up in my book...

alex

 

the '07's and '08's both look a bit better. Why would one have to change the Adblue solution after 11K miles??

 

Perhaps you misunderstand, Adblue gets 'used' just like fuel gets used. It is injected into the Selective Catalytic Converter (SCR) in the exhaust to chemically convert NOx to nitrogen (N2) and water. Adblue is a diluted solution of urea.

From Wikipedia:

Urea or carbamide is an organic compound with the chemical formula (NH2)2CO. The molecule has two amine (-NH2) residues joined by a carbonyl (-CO-) functional group.
Urea plays an important role in the metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds by animals, and is the main nitrogen-containing substance in the urine of mammals. Being solid, colourless, odorless, neither acidic nor basic, highly soluble in water, and relatively non-toxic, urea is widely used in fertilizers as a convenient source of nitrogen.

$220 (15 gal) is an outrageous price to pay for a water base solution of what is basically a fertilizer. As more manufacturers use the system to control NOx in diesel exhaust, the competition for supply should bring the cost down. See your local farm supply house for info on the price farmers pay for bulk quantities of urea fertilizer.

 

I realize Adblue is used, like the rest of the fluids in the car. I suppose my surprise comes from the engineering of the vehicle to need a change/refill this early in the cars life. Is this typical to have to change the Adblue this early?

 

You haven't been paying attention.

It is TYPICAL to refill adBlue every motor oil change. That's the size of the tank.

The only comparable "other fluid" is the diesel in the fuel tank. It's a consumption item, not a lubricant or coolant.

 

09 GL320,

@service A, it took about 5 gallons to fill, this was provided in half gallon bottles @ 11 USD each.......tank holds 8 gallons.

They had forgot to even check it until reminded, and couldn't tell me when they were ever going to get the proper (bulk) servicing equipment.

Then there's labor......

 

Seems like MB is really taking advantage of us with their obscene prices for engineered urine. $220 every 10K miles eats through more than half of the fuel savings the diesel provides.

They should be giving the stuff away to encourage more bluetech takers not raping us....

Neil

 

Regarding cost ...

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/3610837-post13.html

 

Thanks for that post.

It looks like VW is doing the right thing. MB should follow suit.

 

Thank you! I read on the BASF website last year that AdBlue should carry a cost of roughly 2x the price of diesel, which would equate to approximately $6/gallon. Was shocked at price MB was asking and glad to see that SOMEONE is charging a fair price.

 

The big trucks will be using this stuff next year and maybe that means even better prices.

http://www.detroitdiesel.com/emissions/epa2010/

 

I'm a little confused. The post linked shows that VW is selling AdBlue @ 2.5 gal for $13. That is $5.20/gal. No doubt, as the demand increases there will be a LOT of suppliers willing to make a few bucks selling it for LESS that the price of diesel - probably a lot less.

 

I found on a Belgian (Europe) highway petrol station the trucker tank, where 1 litre cost as much as 0,59 Eurocent..
I had to add 5 Litre for about 12000 km mixed drived, so the total price ended in 3,14 Euro.
However, it took 10 min to get it in, due to the big pressure in the pump. That is why it in the manual is written, do not use a pump.

 

Auto zone now has it for 11.99/ 2.5 gallons and the container includes a flexible spout. So maybe I spend $24-$36 on adblue every 10k. Yawn...

 

Many truck stops now have it on "tap". Paid $4.00 per gallon a few weeks ago here in Washington State.

 

Walmart sells it too...

 

I had my husband p/u some adblue from the VW dealership in Grande Prairie I didn't ask the cost as it was my only option. Wow, 40.00 for 4, 1/2 gallon bottles. I didn't really do any cking because I'd heard that VW was a good place to get it....not anymore. I cked down at the Freightliner truck shop and they have a DEF fluid in a big 2.5 gallon jug, but it's not the fill container of the adblue. Has anyone used this other DEF before and if so what is the best way to get it into your tank? Can those empty containers work for a refil?

 

See link:

https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...art-adblu.html

 

Thanks for the link!!!!

 

I recently had a B service due. I chose to get the work done by an independent Mercedes service tech. He filled the Adblue at the $11/2.5 gallons with the supplied tube. He said that you could see the level of the fluid as it went in.

I wanted to get the 1/2 gallon bottles to use, but the MB dealer says they are on national backorder. He checked with his techs who said they were filling the tanks with funnels.

 

Newbie here. I'm picking up my 2010 ML350 Bluetec next Wednesday in Toronto, I also read about expensive MB oil changes. If I don't do the oil change at MB dealership, and add the Adblue (or MB certified equivalent) myself, will MB void my warranty? What are the DEF brands which are certified/recognized by MB? Thanks in advance.

 

It is NOT necessary to have the dealer change your oil to maintain your warranty. Simply keep evidence of the fact that you changed it - or had it changed - and when (date and miles) in case they ever ask. Make SURE however that you use the correct approved oil - Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W40 is one such approved oil but see your owners manual to be sure.
There is no need to use the 'official' M-B BluTec fluid, any urea solution meeting the international standards DIN 70070 [or later ISO standard] are acceptable. It is a expendable fluid just like diesel is expendable. M-B doesn't specify 'approved' diesel sources; neither do they specify AdBlu (or BluTec) sources.

 

Fourdiesel, thank you for the info and explanation!!

 

Just to clarify the walmart adblue linked here -> https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...art-adblu.html and here -> http://www.walmart.com/ip/BLUEDEF-Di...5-gal/16933407 would be ok for our diesels?

Also I have service A due here soon. We're going to have my own shop do it. I own a limo business. I havnt looked into it yet but is service A just : oil change, oil and lube up front end, and fill up adblue? I know it uses a specific oil which I believe is "OEM Mobil 1 5w40 ESP Formula M" , can anybody verify this is correct? How many quarts of this oil do you need?

Also does adblue just fill up easily with a funnel?