Is Automotive Urea Afraid of Sunlight?

[MacJasper]

Automotive urea is sensitive to sunlight. The specific details about automotive urea are as follows: 1. Sensitivity to temperature and light: This is mainly reflected in the increase of free alkali and free ammonia content in automotive urea. Due to its high volatility, it can leak when the seal is opened, resulting in the loss of effective components in automotive urea. This affects the conversion efficiency of NOX by the SCR system. 2. Storage precautions for urea: It is essential to cool the storage area for automotive urea. If a strong ammonia odor is detected when opening the seal, it should be immediately resealed and not used further. Testing with relevant instruments is required, and it can only be used after passing the test.

[OAmelia]

As a seasoned diesel vehicle driver with years of experience, I've personally witnessed the unfortunate consequences of exposing diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) to sunlight. DEF is indeed vulnerable to sunlight because it's primarily a urea solution. High temperatures and UV radiation can cause it to decompose and deteriorate, releasing ammonia gas through evaporation or crystallizing into solids that clog the system's nozzles. Last summer, I left a bottle of DEF in the trunk exposed to sunlight for half a day, resulting in a pungent odor throughout the cabin and a vehicle alert indicating an exhaust system malfunction. The repair shop technician later informed me that the optimal storage temperature for DEF is between 10 to 25 degrees Celsius, and avoiding direct sunlight is crucial. Otherwise, at best, you'll waste money replacing the bottle, and at worst, damage the SCR system, compromising the engine's emission reduction performance. So now, I make it a habit to store DEF bottles in the cool shade of the garage or purchase brands with sun-protective packaging—saving both money and hassle.

[LeoFitz]

As a friend who loves tinkering with diesel vehicles, I can confidently say that diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) is highly sensitive to sunlight. This solution is composed of water and urea, and when exposed to high temperatures or prolonged UV radiation, its chemical composition becomes unstable, leading to decomposition or crystallization issues. Once deteriorated, the liquid can turn into a paste or solid, clogging the SCR system's pipelines and triggering fault code alerts. I recommend everyone check their vehicle manuals, which clearly state that the maximum storage temperature for DEF is below 25°C—exceeding this renders it ineffective. Additionally, during summer parking, avoid leaving the DEF bottle in direct sunlight; instead, store it in a shaded area. Otherwise, the cost of replacing a new bottle can be significant, and it will also impact environmental performance. Remember, simple precautions can prevent major troubles.

[DiGideon]

Vehicle urea must absolutely be protected from the sun! I often remind my fellow drivers. Exposed to high temperatures, it decomposes rapidly and loses effectiveness. Imagine, the heat radiation under the sun causes it to deteriorate quickly, possibly crystallizing within days. The result? The urea solution can't be properly injected into the engine's exhaust pipe, the emission reduction system fails, and vehicle components may be damaged. I've seen cases where drivers parked outdoors for too long, the urea bottle got ruined by the sun, and the entire SCR module had to be replaced, costing thousands. So, when storing urea, always prioritize indoor storage or use a car cover for shade. Temperature control is key—keeping it between 10-25°C saves you from future repair headaches.