I just bought a 2012 M Class 350 Blue Tech. I plan to purchase the add blue component\fluid from Amazon.com, : AD BLUE Diesel Emissions Fluid for SCR Code TWO 1/2 gallons (2010-2013) by ADBLUE
$29.94 new
How much do I need to add after about 10,000 miles? Is it ok to do it your self?

Thank you

 

Yes you can do it yourself
My consumption is 1 & a half of the 2.5 gal boxes for @ 10K miles

You should not have gotten the add blue warning if properly filled when new

 

Frack Amazon on this one ... 2 1/2 gallons of Peak brand DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) is totslly the same stuff as MB brand AdBlue and is under $15 at most auto parts retail stores.

You do the fill before 10K service by sight and feel - do not overfill - if you want buy a small AdBlue bottle from MB parts dept, use that 1st, and cut bottom off and use as a lockin funnel..

Then request at service for the dealer to reset the AdBlue level indicator..

 

I was buying the 2.5gal bottles at a VW dealer for about $18 or $20. My last one I got @ Walmart for $12. Truck now has 17,xxx miles. I wish there was a level gauge or indicator or anything. So far I between 10,000mi & now I put in one small bottle, 2 of the 2.5gal jugs, & today I got in 3/4 of a 3rd 2.5gal jug & it's full to the brim. Don't ask how I know. Glad I followed the earlier advice to pour it in slowly & add a little at a time.

 

Your have a 2000 mile "safety factor" when the "low AdBlue" comes up - but eliminating that "low AdBlue" light requires 3-4-5 "drive cylces" before it goes off.

The AdBlue tank in the ML is 7 gallons.

That low AdBlue (Diesel Exhaust Fluid or DEF) indicator doesn't require hard SDS reset. If after refill the low AdBlue warning does not come off is 1/2/3 drive cycles - then from ML totally off turn the ignition to position 1 (on, but not cranking) for over 30 secs - then turn ignition off - if Keyless Go pull the button and use the key. The position 1 is a general reset for that system.

At this time there is no effective way to measure the amount of AdBlue in that tank - the "full" capacity is 7 gallons.

However with AdBlue/DEF there is no need to keep topped off - the AdBlue/DEF is stable (not like gas or disiel) and unaffected by any minor tank condensation when running a low tank.

The urea mix used in AdBlue/DEF also does NOT "crystallize" in partial tanks as some dealers might infer - again, no problems come up that require tank top off before that low level light, really.

The reserve level in that AdBlue/DEF tank once you hit that light is around 2000-2500 miles.

One DIY recommendation is to add 5 gallons from bulk 2.5 gallon bottles at/over 10K miles before you get that low/reserve light - the light otherwide will normally happen somewhere around 13.5K-14.5K miles.

A 5 gallon fill at 10K will be more than sufficient, you want to avoid a overfill so take care on the last part of that 5 gallon fill.

The bulk DEF bottles in 2.5 gallon and 1 gallon do not come with the special/trickseter valve the small bottles have to prevent overfills - overfills can be messy - towards a "top off" the system can burp back a bit from trapped air - slow fills can prevent this - you can also point the front of the car uphill a bit while filling that also helps prevent burping.

Using bulk bottles you just need to be slow and conservative and not overfill and spill over. If spilled over (and with decent care thats actually very hard to do) then flush excess off with a water hose.

Putting truck stop DEF pumps to the side - the most cost effective DIY 5 gallon fill - buy (2) 2.5 gallon jugs of DEF - generic brand will cost like $12 ea at a retail auto parts store under Peak Brand or buy branded VW for like $15-$18 each at a VW dealer.

Bulk DEF also comes in gallon bottles at most retail auto parts stores fro around $6 a gallon, so the 2.5 gallon bottles are cheaper.

On bulk bottles you can use a appropriate funnel to fill (do not overfill) or some owners buy one liter MB or VW bottle for $8-$10 that has that valve, after emptying that, they cut off3/4 of the bottom to use the empty small bottle as a funnel for the larger bulk bottles/box/carton.

 

You're 100% correct in that when it's full, it "burps" back, hence the need to pour slowly when you're getting full. Even at that point I had a lil spill over as I was unscrewing the bottle. Just rinsed it off & took the opportunity to hand was the whole truck. DEF that spills on your skin looks like water but dries to a white residue, just rinse off.

 

My dealership has an Ad Blue pump. I haven't had to fill yet, but hear that buying by the gallon is reasonably cost effective. You're not paying for the packaging, etc. Either way, it nice to have fewer bottles of stuff in my garage.



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If it's a MB dealer they will charge AdBlue prices, even if they use a tank pump... same type "pump" is at major truck stops where you pay generic DEF prices..

 

The dealer told me even if I fill up ad blue, only he can reset the indicator. He said, therefore, there is no sense to you filling it up. I don't know if that is correct or not. I find this an annoying part of owning a diesel.

 

I have added 10 gallons @28500 miles.
I have yet to see the indicator...fill up before you do....and don't fear the dealer holding you hostage.
I will probably pickup another 2.5 gal jug and see how much she drinks.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Thanks for the "1/2/3" information. I've yet to find that in the Owner's Manual.

 

I know everyone is talking about the number of miles they get in relation to how much DEF they're using, but from what I understand, it is the number of starts that occur as to how much DEF is used. The last time I had the truck serviced at 30K, the tech forgot to top it off and I got a message saying "10 starts left." Fortunately I was only about a mile from an MB dealer. Stopped in, got it topped off, and on my way. I do have prepaid maintenance so don't buy it myself.

 

No, but it is how they warn you that you are/have run out. Keeps you from driving the vehicle without any DEF.

 

Thanks for the input.

 

At my 10K mi. oil service, my dealer wanted to refill my AdBlue and 'reset' the system, for $125.00. I told him "no thanks, that I had just refilled it and it reset itself." He gave me a
funny look. Best price on AdBlue so far, found at Pep Boys for $11/2.5gal.

 

I had previously bought and used one of the 1/2 gal spill-proof bottles mentioned initially, then used a 1 1/4" spade drill bit to put a hole in the bottom of the bottle (vs cutting the bottom off as suggested by others). Using this spill-proof bottle + 2.5 gal DEF jugs you can get @ Walmart for $12, makes topping off DEF cheap and easy:

*screw the spill-proof bottle into DEF filler neck - it remains secure while you fill it with DEF as described in next step

*the flexible filler tube that comes with the 2.5 gal jug fits nicely into the 1 1/14" hole and limits over-flow/splash back as you fill the 1/2 gal bottle

*fill up the 1/2 gal bottle 5-6 times and you've got the whole 2.5 gals added in 5 mins or so...very easy

 

Excellent idea. Thanks for the input.

 

Thanks for the 'point the front of the car uphill' tip -haven't seen that anywhere
else. Good tip.

 

FYI: My last 2.5gal bottle of DEF from the VW dealer was just under $12.

 

I bought three 2.5 gallon AdBlue units at Walmart months ago and could only get part of the first in the tank as it only had like 7K on the ODO.

Does AdBlue go bad over time or can you store for a year or so?

 

Pure Bull*****!

 

Store it tightly capped and in a somewhat cool area. It should be good for 2 years.