MAINTAINING LOW DIESEL EMISSIONS
DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID/ADBLUE®?
WHAT IS DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID/AdBlue®?
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) also known as AdBlue®, is a non-toxic, colourless, odourless and non-flammable fluid. Stored in a dedicated tank in your car, it is injected into the exhaust system to clean exhaust gases. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology is fitted to all Land Rover diesel vehicles from 2016 Model Year. It enables Land Rover to meet EU6 emissions legislation by reducing the levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emitted from the exhaust system by up to 90%. In addition to a new generation of catalytic converter, SCR Technology requires the use of DEF.
MAINTAINING DEF/AdBlue®
It is important that your Land Rover’ supply of DEF is maintained, as EU legislation means that you cannot start the engine without it. Your car’s message centre will give you advance warning when your DEF level is low and will alert you in plenty of time to book a refill.
HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY DEF/AdBlue® LEVELS ARE LOW?
The message centre on your Land Rover Instrument Panel displays a series of messages when your DEF level becomes low.
1. The first message states that a DEF top-up is advised.
2. The second message states to refill with DEF. This is accompanied by an AMBER warning icon.
3. The third message displays the distance remaining until your DEF tank is empty.
4. The final message states no further restarts are possible until DEF is added. This is accompanied by a RED warning icon.
DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER
WHAT IS A DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF)
Meeting or exceeding stringent EU6 emissions regulations, all new-diesel Land Rover vehicles are fitted with an exhaust filter, also known as a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). This is used to efficiently capture and remove 99% of all particulates from the exhaust, helping to lower tailpipe emissions.
HOW DOES A DPF WORK?
During normal driving conditions, the DPF collects particulates in the exhaust to be burned off when it reaches a high temperature. As the filter becomes full, a cleaning process occurs automatically. This is known as regeneration. Shorter journeys, such as those often taken in a city, can make this process more difficult to achieve as the system does not get hot enough.
HOW DOES A DPF AFFECT MY JOURNEYS?
In some scenarios, such as frequent driving in slow, stop-start traffic, or in very cold weather, cleaning of the exhaust filter may not occur automatically. If this is the case, a warning light will illuminate on your Land Rover Instrument Panel.
AMBER LIGHT
An amber light indicates that your exhaust filter is filling up and a process of manual cleaning is required. We recommend driving above 37mph for 20 minutes to clean the filter. Failure to regenerate the filter will eventually lead to a red light being displayed and has the potential to affect vehicle performance.
RED LIGHT
A red light indicates that your exhaust filter is now full and the performance of your vehicle is likely to be reduced. In this scenario, we recommend contacting Land Rover Assistance as soon as possible to resolve the issue**.
GREEN LIGHT
Once you’ve taken the appropriate steps to address the amber or red alerts, the DPF symbol will turn green to indicate that regeneration is complete.
*Please note, a charge may be incurred if the DPF has failed to regenerate due to driving style. Roadside Assistance Mobility Support may also be withdrawn.
FAQs
How do I check my DEF/AdBlue level?
-
The distance until your next DEF refill can be viewed at any time in the message centre on the dashboard*.
Follow these simple steps:
1. Switch on the ignition, but do not start the engine
(Check that a valid smart key is inside the vehicle and ensure that the brake pedal is not pressed. Hold down the engine START/STOP button until the instrument panel warning lamps illuminate)
2. Press the OK button on the steering wheel control to access the Main Menu
(On some models, repeatedly press the OK button until Driver Assistance is displayed)
3. Using the down arrow button on the steering wheel control, scroll down and highlight Vehicle Info
4. Press the OK button to confirm selection
5. Scroll down to highlight Diesel Exhaust Fluid
(On some models this is displayed as Next Service)
6. Press the OK button to confirm selection. The Diesel Exhaust Fluid range is then displayed.
* Not all vehicles are equipped to display the above information. Contact your Retailer/Authorised Repairer for clarification.
How often should I refill DEF?
-
The consumption of DEF can vary greatly. An average consumption rate can be 500 miles (800km) / 1 Litre, but this consumption rate can be more than doubled, depending on the driving style, road and weather conditions.
What happens if I run out of DEF/AdBlue?
-
Should you run out of DEF, your Land Rover will not re-start after you switch off the engine - this is a requirement of EU6 emissions legislation. The tank will need to be refilled with a minimum of 3.6 litres of DEF before the vehicle will start.
Can I refill the DEF tank myself?
-
Yes, you can purchase 1.89 litre non-drip bottles of DEF from your local Land Rover Retailer/Authorised Repairer to refill the tank yourself. These bottles have been specifically designed for ease of use and to prevent any dripping. We do not recommend refilling the tank using any other type of container.
Do not pour any other liquids into the DEF tank or DEF that does not meet the standard ISO22241-1 or DIN 70070 as this will compromise the correct operation of your vehicle.
If you pour DEF into your fuel tank by mistake, DO NOT start the engine, and call your local Land Rover Retailer/Roadside Assistance immediately.
Commercial vehicle DEF pumps at fuel stations must never be used because the flow rate is too high and this will damage the vehicle’s DEF tank.
Refer to your Owner’s Handbook for instructions on how to refill your DEF tank
Is DEF/AdBlue hazardous?
-
Although DEF is non-hazardous, should it come in to contact with any part of your body, or it is ingested by accident, please refer to the advice on the packaging and seek medical advice. If DEF comes into contact with your Land Rover’s paintwork, simply wipe it off, and rinse the area with soapy water. However, DEF can stain upholstery and clothing – if spilt, DEF should be removed immediately using cold water and a damp cloth.
How should I store DEF?
-
Always store DEF in its original container, and please observe the manufacturer’s storage and handling recommendations shown on the bottle. DEF should never be stored in the vehicle.