Where is the automotive urea placed in the vehicle?
2 Answers
Automotive urea is filled in a dedicated urea storage tank, which is located near the fuel tank. The reason for adding urea to diesel vehicles is mainly to reduce exhaust emissions, as the exhaust from diesel engines primarily consists of nitrogen oxides and carbon particles. Excessive nitrogen oxide concentrations can affect human pulmonary function and the central nervous system. Automotive urea is an essential additive for the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system. The SCR system includes a urea tank and an SCR catalytic reaction tank. The operating process is as follows: when nitrogen oxides are detected in the exhaust pipe, the urea tank automatically sprays diesel exhaust fluid. The diesel exhaust fluid and nitrogen oxides undergo a redox reaction in the SCR catalytic reaction tank, producing non-polluting nitrogen and water vapor, which are then discharged.
I've been driving diesel vehicles for decades, and the AdBlue tank is always located in a dedicated reservoir at the rear underside of the vehicle or near the rear axle. This positioning is well thought-out—it keeps the urea away from engine heat and road vibrations to prevent premature degradation or leaks. During my routine checks, I always crouch down to inspect that tank, which is usually positioned next to the exhaust pipe for easy refilling. Since urea is crucial for reducing exhaust emissions, the tank must be tightly sealed to prevent corrosive spills. In winter, freeze protection is essential—some vehicles come with heating systems to prevent the solution from freezing and disrupting the system. Regular top-ups are critical; if the tank runs empty, the vehicle will enter a speed-limiting protection mode, compromising driving safety. I’ve made it a habit to check the fluid level every few thousand kilometers—ensuring both environmental compliance and smooth operation.
