How to fill AbBlue? Dealer wanted $100-$150, got 2.5 gals at VW for $15, what next?
 

Do i just use funnel and fill? How do i know when full and not overfill? Do i need to reset computer? If so how?

You have to use a .5 Liter dispenser which has a special pour spout combined with a stop valve.

You can do what I do with my BMW diesel - buy a .5L Adblue from VW, get 2.5gals of bulk DEF. Once you use up the .5L, cut out the bottom, fill it up with bulk DEF and re-use the VW dispenser.

Sort of messy refilling but worth it to save $100 from my stealer....

Or wait until Audi gives free lifetime AdBlue?

I bought swingle bottle from VW and refill it. The top turns off. Grab it and turn hard. I bought 5 gallons at the VW dealership for $22 after tax. It's much cheaper at truck stops though. Keep the 2.5 gallon jug and refill it at a truck stop.

Who knows. It might just happen. The process sounds like a pain.

You can easily fill AdBlue:
http://microsites.audiusa.com/ngw/13...e-Brochure.pdf

http://www.audiusa.com/content/dam/a...l-Brochure.pdf


WARNING you must use only VW 507.00 engine oil in your TDI car - because DPF
DPF filter and Adblue:
VW Touareg DPF and Audi Q7 DPF filter FAQ and Adblue fluid FAQ


Here:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.aud...7573decf6a.jpg

Mark, I've tried a standard funnel. It works, but I ended up spilling some as the only way to know it's full is to have DEF sitting there in the funnel. No biggie as I had the water hose ready to wash everything. Ever since, (as 4SallyPat mentioned above for their Bimmer) I've used a VW Adblue bottle as a funnel. Cut the end off (carefully) and there's your funnel. It's slower than an open funnel, but with that kruser bottle attachment, you can unscrew it without spilling.

As to needing a computer reset, I haven't needed to yet. Like some of the Touaregs, if you fill it up before any warnings, it does apparently read the new level. Procedure (from the Toaureg) is to fill up Adblue, then turn on ignition without starting and wait 30 seconds. Haven't gotten any warnings doing this. This last time, I ran a test to purposely drain the Adblue down below the 600 mile warning and see if it would reset itself after filling. (If not I'd have to use my VCDS and probably talk to Ross-Tech for the procedure.) Got down to 500 miles and Adblue pump failed, so still don't know whether or not it'll reset itself after getting a warning. New piss pump was covered under warranty, but dealer did ask who did the 15k and 25k services. I said me and could tell the service mgr was getting his ducks in a row to blame me for the pump. I showed them my receipts for buying genuine VW DEF for fillups. Shouldn't matter as long as it's ISO 22241 (which they all seem to be), but you know dealers. So bottom line, use only VW DEF while under warranty. Check around for price. Not surprisingly, VW dealers have been cheaper than Audi in my experience and a 2.5 gallon jug is only a few bucks more than Peak DEF.

Yeah, I use a BMW small filler bottle as it has the proper adapter and then I buy DEF in bulk from autozone or other stores and just pour the 2.5 gallon bottle into my .5 and repour and repeat.

Thanks, I went back to VW and got 1/2 gallon bottle and used as funnel
 

After using that first. I just cut a hole out of the end (didn't cut the whole end off) so when I lay it on its side in trunk storage any remaining residual liquid doesnt drip out.

The only "trick" when filling seems to be that it's a closed system so it needs to burp air out. This went fine at first but then when it seemed full and i unscrewed bottle, a big burp came with splatter. So just be careful when unscreing bottle if not all goes in. Furthermore I got to where no more would go in (even removing the bottle still was liquid in filler neck), but then some gentle figure eights back and forth on an incline allowed fluid to get down into areas of the tank. I had tried first filling with car on inclune to improve burping per one online suggestion. I guess it helped but still had to do my figure eights. I was down to 300 miles remaining and put all 3 gallons (0.5 + 2.5) in.

When I did my figure eights, I didn't do anything special when I started up the car (in hindsight recalled references to having car with power on for 30 seconds before starting). The 300 mile warning went away and I had no warnings of any kind. I never had a CEL which I understand may come later (at 0 miles remaining?).

Guys, just an FYI: Walmart is selling the AdBlue fluid under the SuperTech label. I didn't notice the pricing

It's all the same ratio I think. My local Audi dealership is also a Ford dealership and they sell the Ford brand much cheaper. VW gives me a military discount though.

Good info Mark. Yeah, we all have issues with getting all the fluid into the closed system but eventually it works. FWIW, our Adblue tank is roughly 6 gal, so you could buy a 2nd 2.5 gal jug and dump that in as well.

Since you were down to 300 miles, the big question is: Did your Adblue warning reset by itself after you added 3 gallons?

Sorry, realized after I didn't include that. Edited now to include:
When I did my figure eights, I didn't do anything special when I started up the car (in hindsight recalled references to having car with power on for 30 seconds before starting). The 300 mile warning went away and I had no warnings of any kind. I never had a CEL which I understand may come later (at 0 miles remaining?).

You get the pitcher symbol to indicate low fluid. The wrench (and maybe CEL) come on only when there's a fault. I had the pitcher at 600mi and it switched to a wrench (with CEL) at 500mi because the pump failed right at that point. Good to hear the warning went away. The official maintenance schedule says, "adapt learned values for AdBlue tank under guided fault finding after filling fluid". Sounds like Audi is now letting the Q5's computer do that vs sticking its customers with yet another extra-cash-for-Audi / VCDS value reset. As I don't trust Audi (geez why not? LOL), I'd keep an eye on it and only be comfortable that the adaptation was self-done after driving another 400miles, i.e. past the original warning mileage. I'll have to do the figure-8s next time. I had been just driving around and topping off every few days. After you mentioned it, I remember DutchVanAtlanta's recommendation to fill on an incline (on a Q7?). I'll give that a shot next time as well...

Seeing you pop up on AW reminded me I haven't been on your website (myturbodiesel.com) in a long time. You are chittychittybangbang correct? With the TDI debacle, I bet you're staying busy over there. FWIW, I used your videos to first learn about VW TDIs. Keep up the good work!

"To remove the AdBlue cap, you must use a wheel bolt wrench
(see above), located in your vehicle’s tool kit."

So if the fluid is dealer installed, a trained technician using a special (ahem) wheel bolt wrench will be justified in charging you for at least a half hour's labor. That makes sense, many owners don't know where the vehicle's tool kit is, or how to use it.

Remember that most drivers used to pay extra to have a "full service" gas station attendant pump their gasoline, as well. I think Audi is missing a huge opportunity, to sell Audi-branded gasoline at the dealerships as well. ;-)

I use an 18mm socket to remove the cap.

LOL!

That's right:
"Failure to use Audi dealership fuel may void your warranty. Use only Audi-branded fuel for piece of mind that you're giving your Audi the very best. Trust us, we would never lie to you!" Lol.

Only thing I'd say on the cap is don't over-tighten. It's a typical fine German-engineered plastic POS...

And one more small trick to this thread. I park on a downhill when I refill the DEF. It helps the fluid go down to the main tank faster - IMO.

I had filled DEF out of the 2.5 Gal jug just with the little hose it comes with. Again, burping might be a small issue, but it becomes apparent only when the tank is almost full anyway.

If you live in Oregon, you still get that special privilege I'm told. I guess filling you car requires special training and is too dangerous for drivers to do themselves.