Do China V Vehicles Need to Add Urea?
3 Answers
China V vehicles require urea addition. If not added, it may result in limited torque, poor acceleration, lack of power, and increased fuel consumption. Definition of China V Standard: The National Fifth Stage Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard, abbreviated as "China V Standard," has an emission control level equivalent to the Euro 5 emission standard currently implemented in Europe. The European Union has been enforcing it since 2009, imposing stricter limits on nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and suspended particles emitted by motor vehicles. From China I to China IV, each upgrade in the standard reduces vehicle pollution by 30 to 50%. Differences from China IV: Compared to the China IV standard, the new standard can reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 25% for light-duty vehicles and 43% for heavy-duty vehicles. Based on the annual vehicle registration volume of approximately 350,000 in Shanghai, it is estimated that newly added vehicles can reduce annual nitrogen oxide emissions by about 1,000 tons. Additionally, the emission control level of the domestic China V standard is equivalent to the Euro 5 emission standard currently implemented in Europe.
Veteran drivers of China V diesel vehicles all know that this car must be topped up with urea! The urea tank is hidden next to the fuel tank, the one with the blue cap. It's not fertilizer, but specifically used to break down nitrogen oxides in the exhaust. Every time I go to the gas station, besides refueling, I habitually grab two 10L barrels of automotive urea—the filler neck is on the opposite side of the fuel tank. Fuel prices are high now, but urea is used sparingly, roughly 1-1.5 liters per 100 kilometers. Last week, Old Wang's vehicle went into torque limitation mode with a turtle warning light on the dashboard—all because he slacked off and didn’t refill the urea in time. Never dilute this stuff with water; crystallized deposits clogging the nozzle can cost over 2,000 yuan to fix. Buying barrel-packed urea at the gas station is hassle-free and cost-effective.
Having run a repair shop for ten years, I recommend adding urea to China V diesel vehicles at least every 10,000 kilometers. When the urea tank icon lights up on the dashboard, it's time for a refill. The process is simple: after turning off the engine, locate the dedicated filler port near the rear axle (don't confuse it with the fuel tank), and you can pour it directly without even needing a funnel. The key is to purchase automotive-grade urea that meets the GB29518 standard - the 32.5% concentration solution available at gas stations is the safest option. Last time, a trucker friend tried saving money by using agricultural urea, which caused nozzle crystallization and clogging, ultimately costing over 4,000 yuan to replace the entire SCR system - definitely not worth the small savings. In summer, always park in shaded areas as high temperatures can degrade urea quality.
