DS3 Crossback Adblue woes

[callumb-DS3]

Hi All,

New here! Not sure what the real outcome of this post will be, a PSA? Warning? Rant? Hopefully someone learns from my mess at least.

So this whole escapade is partly my fault and partly DS' fault. Starts off with the 1500 miles to empty adblue warning, fine get some ASAP. ASAP doesn't happen due to work (work odd hours), finances and other life fun so stupidly let it run down to 150 miles (1st Fault to me) finally all things line up, and I can get some Adblue from my local garage only find they have a single 4L bottle left. Thinking just needs topped up so that will do (2nd Fault to me. RTFM) Car still complaining about low on Adblue thinking just needs a run for it to realise that it's been filled. Drive about, now down to 100 miles. Read the manual that you need to stick in at least 5L bugger! So went to find some more found another garage with only 4L bottles again so got another thinking 4+4 = 8 which is greater than 5... Not according to the car, that's not how it works. I found that the tank holds around 13L, so I drive to another garage that as a 10L bottle and try and top it up again with 5L at least from the bottle as I should have about 6L of space left nope about 3L was taken so a nice full tank and the car still complaining to me drive a bit more to see if It's going to reset nada.

So in a desperate panic I get onto DS assistance (Cars a year old so still have access to it) advised that not much they can do but get the RAC out and see what they can do but can't guarantee anything, but I should call my local DS garage and ask them to reset the computer (1st Fault to DS), phoned my local DS garage advised them what I was doing and got the most unhelpful woman ever. Condescending and generally nasty as could be. (2nd Fault to DS) Told me they will need to diagnose the "fault" (£150) and that the next appointment with a DS tech was 3 weeks away. This was despite me saying DS customer support says it just needs to be reset, and it's a 5-min job. Nope zero help. (3rd Fault to DS) So I drive back home and call DS Assistance again and get the RAC out as a last ditch attempt to sort this as I cannot wait 3 weeks. 20ish minutes later I get the most helpful and friendliest guy out who was FUMING at DS for having to do this call out as they should have been able to sort it fast. Plugged in his computer did a reset and it's been fine ever since.

Moral of the story is:
- When it whines about being low, fill up as soon as possible don't think it works like filling with fuel!
- Fill with more than 5L
- DS Sighthill Service Department in Edinburgh are dreadful.
- RAC/ Breakdown services are amazing.
- **** Adblue!
- DS needs to sort their software around this.
- Places need to stop selling anything less than 5L.

[GiveMeABreak]

My advice is don't let it get that low to start with.

I keep a 10 litre supply at home and top this up every few months.

I would also advise that you consider getting some Forte or Wynn's Adblue treatment. The Wynn's 125ml treats 10 litres of Adblue and is deigned to prevent crystallisation of the system and the Adblue injector which can lead to expensive component replacement.

As for DS staff - the reception / front line service staff are pretty much just that, they won't give advice or recommendation over the phone as they are not qualified and the standard procedure is a diagnostic. If your vehicle is faulty and under warranty, it will cover the cost of a basic diagnostic should a fault be discovered. This is the key part.

Because of the warranty system, the dealers have to follow a guided fault process using the diagnostic tools to recover any warranty claim direct from DS Automobiles. So they would generally book it in to do - but therein lies the other issue - lead times are quite long these days. I have no issues with my local Citroen dealership and if I have a 'niggle' issue and take the car in, they will often get it sorted for me there and then - but I am a good customer and have all my vehicles serviced there, so may make a difference.