Is There a Relationship Between Urea and Fuel Consumption?
2 Answers
Urea has no relationship with fuel consumption; the purpose of adding urea is to reduce the pollution level of exhaust emissions. Related information: 1. Reason: Adding automotive urea is specifically for diesel engines because diesel engines emit nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollutants during operation. These gases are harmful to both the atmosphere and human health. Long-term exposure to such gases can lead to respiratory diseases. To mitigate the harm of these gases to the atmosphere and humans, urea is utilized. 2. Expansion: This involves a catalytic reaction where the urea solution reacts with NOx in a reduction process, producing nitrogen, oxygen, and water, thereby reducing the emission of nitrogen oxides. Nitrogen and water are harmless to the atmosphere and human health.
Driving big trucks on long-haul routes over the years, I deal with urea every day. Urea itself doesn’t increase fuel consumption—it’s used to treat exhaust gases, breaking down harmful emissions in the exhaust pipe. However, if the urea nozzle gets clogged or low-quality urea is used, the truck enters limp mode, and the engine’s power is restricted. In this state, pressing the accelerator feels weak, and to maintain speed, you have to floor it, causing fuel consumption to spike immediately. I’ve encountered this situation twice, and fuel consumption jumped by 20%. Additionally, a faulty urea pump can lead to excessive emissions, forcing the system to reduce torque, indirectly increasing fuel consumption. That’s why it’s crucial to use proper urea and regularly clean the system to maintain optimal fuel efficiency.
