PickupTrucks.com looks at Diesel Exhaust Fluid

When 2010 rolls around in about nine months, all automakers that offer diesel vehicles in the United States will need to meet new requirements that will mandate a 90 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions compared to what is allowable today. These regulations will also cover large pickup trucks from General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. Each automaker is free to choose what technology it will use to meet the emissions rules, and, surprisingly, the three aren't always taking the same route.

For the 2010 model year, Chrysler has announced that it will use two different technologies to meet the regulated NOx levels. Since 2007, the Cummins diesel engines installed in Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 models have met the 2010 standards using an exhaust gas recirculation system along with a special catalyst that uses precious metals to scrub NOx gases. Larger Ram trucks with diesel engines will join GM and Ford in using a liquid consisting of urea and deionized water beginning next year.

This Diesel Exhaust Fluid will be stored in a tank and injected as a mist into the exhaust. Due to the high temperatures present, the fluid will turn into ammonia and will help break down the harmful NOx gases. Our friends at PickupTrucks.com have a nice article detailing the system that Heavy Duty Dodge trucks will launch for the 2010 model year, click here to check it out.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]