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      12-08-2013, 09:54 AM   #1
m6pwr
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328d owners: Can you measure def fluid level?

I've got a new 328d diesel. Great car. My question deals with the ability to measure the level of diesel emission fluid (def) - - much the same way as you can measure the oil level whenever you want.

I was under the impression that the def lasts as long as the factory oil change interval (about 10k miles on the 2014's) and that the fluid need only be replaced or refilled by the dealer at the regular oil service intervals. But I read in the Owner's Manual that the def may need to be replaced once between regular service appointments - - and if you drive in a "sporty" style, the owner may need to replenish the def more often than that. No big problem.

The Owner's Manual indicates it is possible to measure the def level using the iDrive Control Display as follows: select "Vehicle info", "Vehicle status", "Diesel exhaust fluid". Well, I tried that on my 328d and there is no entry or selection for Diesel exhaust fluid under Vehicle status.

Any other 328d owners out there have the same problem, or is there another way to measure the def level? By the way, I have a recent production 328d (October 2013).
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      12-09-2013, 08:50 AM   #2
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I haven't seen it either, but I didn't see it in the manual either. It does give you a warning you need to add some. How much time you have after the warning??
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      12-09-2013, 11:11 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glangford View Post
I haven't seen it either, but I didn't see it in the manual either. It does give you a warning you need to add some. How much time you have after the warning??
You have 999 Miles. You can go to a VW dealer & buy the Ad Blue for less than BMW charges. Even has BMW part # on it. You'll want to get the 1/2 gallon jug & a larger jug. You want to save the 1/2 gallon container for ease of filling. The larger jugs don't screw into the inlet on the car. I didn't get a warning on my 335d until ~18000 Miles. I believe the 328d's tank is smaller. DEF has a shelf life. http://www.idparts.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=25_181
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      12-10-2013, 03:42 AM   #4
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does anyone know the capacity of adblue in the 328d?
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      12-10-2013, 04:01 AM   #5
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Is this needed for all BMW diesel engines? 320d, 118d too?
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      12-10-2013, 08:58 AM   #6
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Is this needed for all BMW diesel engines? 320d, 118d too?
1) The 328d being discussed is the US/CA model, which is actually a 320d in EU.
2) Requirement for DEF varies depending upon engine size, vehicle weight & mileage and grams/mile (km) of NOx pollutants.
3) New models in EU of 320d probably do in 2014 (very soon!). Not sure about smaller engines.
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      12-10-2013, 09:35 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glangford View Post
does anyone know the capacity of adblue in the 328d?
According to the Owner's Manual: Refill quantity when the 1k mile warning appears is 3 gallons.
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      12-10-2013, 02:08 PM   #8
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My manual says nothing about this on either car.
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      12-02-2019, 07:32 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m6pwr View Post
According to the Owner's Manual: Refill quantity when the 1k mile warning appears is 3 gallons.
It must be less than 3 gallons; I had ~950 miles left and just overflowed the reservoir onto the floor without finishing a 2.5L jug. Yes, pouring slowly. Clown college.
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      12-02-2019, 08:45 PM   #10
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We consistently put ~2gal in to fill when the 1k alert goes off.
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      12-03-2019, 11:34 AM   #11
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I have to fill just under 15L when the warning comes on.
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      12-03-2019, 09:59 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grimmmmer View Post
It must be less than 3 gallons; I had ~950 miles left and just overflowed the reservoir onto the floor without finishing a 2.5L jug. Yes, pouring slowly. Clown college.
You'll want to verify you did not clog your passive tank vent.
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      01-05-2020, 12:57 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grimmmmer View Post
It must be less than 3 gallons; I had ~950 miles left and just overflowed the reservoir onto the floor without finishing a 2.5L jug. Yes, pouring slowly. Clown college.
Don’t feel bad... I just did the same filling from a 2.5 gallon jug of blue def. lol. Luckily it was In the driveway, so Half a gallon of distilled water as a rinse (after closing cap) took care of clean up.
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