Is Automotive Urea the Same as Agricultural Urea?
3 Answers
Automotive urea and agricultural urea are not the same. Relevant information is as follows: 1. Introduction: Automotive urea solution is a colorless, transparent, and clear liquid with a concentration of 31.8% to 33.2%, used for reducing NOx. Currently, the automotive urea solution in use is generally composed of 32.5% high-purity urea and 67.5% deionized water. 2. Definition: The scientific name of automotive urea is Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), commonly referred to in China as automotive urea, vehicle urea, or vehicle denitrification agent. Automotive urea solution was first used in Europe and is known as Adblue.
My past experience in the automotive industry has taught me that while automotive urea and agricultural urea may sound similar in name, they are fundamentally different. Automotive urea, such as AdBlue, is specifically designed for diesel vehicle SCR systems, requiring extremely high purity—typically a 32.5% urea solution free of any impurities or additives—to ensure effective emission control. If agricultural urea is used instead, it contains fertilizer residues like ammonia or other chemicals that can clog SCR injectors, corrode catalysts, trigger engine warning lights, and even degrade engine performance. I've seen cases where owners tried to save money by mistakenly using agricultural urea, only to end up spending much more on repairs. Automotive urea also helps reduce NOx emissions to protect the environment, whereas agricultural urea is only suitable for farmland fertilization. Therefore, always choose certified products as specified in the vehicle manual and avoid mixing them to prevent damage to critical components.
As an ordinary person who often drives diesel vehicles, I've really experienced this. When I first bought the car, I didn't know better and tried to save money by using agricultural urea instead of automotive-grade urea. A few weeks later, the engine light came on, and the car had trouble accelerating. After consulting a mechanic, I learned that automotive urea is a specially formulated pure solution used to reduce exhaust pollution, while agricultural urea contains fertilizer components like calcium that can precipitate and clog the SCR system. The repair and part replacement cost me nearly a thousand yuan – truly a case of being penny-wise but pound-foolish. Now I only buy branded AdBlue products. Although they're a bit more expensive, they're better for the vehicle, ensuring smooth engine operation and clean emissions. I just add it when refueling – it's not worth saving money in the wrong places.
