One of the crazier experiences my husband and I had while traveling, happened during our trip to Ireland. This was our pre-baby era. We rented a car from the Dublin Airport and drove across the beautiful green countryside to stay at the restored 1400s Claregalway Castle. So what is AdBlue? Read on to find out what it is and how it can impact you if you rent a diesel car! For more stories on international transportation struggles read Stranded at the Gas Station in Rome: A Lesson in Italian Hospitality
The Initial AdBlue Warning
On the way to Claregalway, we’re enjoying the scenic roads and hills. When suddenly, the car began beeping every so often. We would hear a beep, and a warning would flash on the dashboard reading, “Top up AdBlue Starting Impossible in X KM.” It started at maybe 1200KM and warned us every 100KM. We had no idea what this meant. I figured I would look it up when we had Wifi. (this was back when you kept your phone on airplane mode the whole time you were in another country).
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Starting Impossible
We made it to the Claregalway Castle, enjoyed a peaceful night’s stay, and totally forgot to look up the cryptic car warning. The next day, as we headed back to Dublin, the beeping and flashing started up again. Only this time, it didn’t stop after one beep and warning. It kept beeping with the dash reading, “Top up AdBlue Starting Impossible.” We pulled over to the side of the highway to look in the driver’s manual and turn on our phone data to search for more information.
My first google search taught me that AdBlue is a fluid for diesel cars designed to neutralize emissions to help protect the environment. “That’s great!” I thought, but I still didn’t understand what the car was trying to tell us. A bit more searching revealed that if your car runs out of AdBlue, you won’t be able to start your car! Thankfully, my husband had not turned off the engine when we pulled over.
Finding AdBlue
Assuming (but not sure) that AdBlue can be found at a gas station, we google mapped the closest one which was 5 min away. We drove there only to find a large gas tank behind a locked chain link fence! Google maps again and found another gas station 10 min back the other way. We rush there only to find it under construction and not even open yet! As we drove past, we spotted another gas station around the corner.
Hy husband hesitantly parked the car, worried that if the gas station didn’t have AdBlue, we’d be stuck. We run in, a bit clueless, unsure of what we’re even looking for. I ask the clerk behind the counter, who kindly helps us locate it. Just then, another customer, with a thick Irish accent asks me, “Is your car hard?”.
“What?” I thought, thinking I misheard him, but he asked again, “Is your car hard?”
My husband and I stood there, puzzled, trying to make sense of this question. The clerk, who was also watching, slowly nodded, probably just as confused by our silence. Eventually, it clicked—the man was asking if our car was hired (rented)! Relieved, I replied, “Yes!” He then advised us to keep our receipt because the rental car company would likely reimburse us for the AdBlue. He also pointed out where to pour it in since people often confuse it with the fuel tank. (For future reference, it is to the left of the gas tank!)
In Conclusion
After the most stressful 20 minutes of our Ireland trip, we treated ourselves to some well- deserved snacks at the gas station. We then enjoyed an uneventful rest of our drive back to Dublin.
Travel always comes with unexpected challenges, and while they can feel overwhelming in the moment, these stories become some of our favorite memories.
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