When to refill DEF tank

[johnmyster]

Be careful adding water. I’ve heard of companies moving to DEF quality sensors to measure the quality of the product in the tank / system. This would be one way to get a code on a new vehicle or piece of equipment.

Just my $0.02

Correct, on my truck there's a DEF quality sensor. The calculated output can be pulled up on my scanner. The computer adjusts dosing rate into the SCR based on the potency of the DEF in the tank.

If the solution was dilute, but still in range, the system would compensate.

 

[Donald]

Be careful adding water. I’ve heard of companies moving to DEF quality sensors to measure the quality of the product in the tank / system. This would be one way to get a code on a new vehicle or piece of equipment.

Just my $0.02

I think the EPA forced this.

 

[tnt_motorsports]

I think the EPA forced this.

Correct the good ole alphabet agencies at it again.

Just my $0.02

 

[Donald]

Correct the good ole alphabet agencies at it again.

Just my $0.02

Say what you want but what comes out of my 2015 PSD exhaust is pretty darn clean compared to my older Dodge Ram with a Cummins diesel. And I can get 20 MPG on the highway if I don't drive with a lead foot.

 

[ATex7239]

Say what you want but what comes out of my 2015 PSD exhaust is pretty darn clean compared to my older Dodge Ram with a Cummins diesel. And I can get 20 MPG on the highway if I don't drive with a lead foot.

I was walking past a 90’s era Cummins Ram last week and I could smell the exhaust from half a block alway. My neighbor has a newer F250 PSD and I cannot smell the exhaust while standing a few feet from it.

 

[burbguy82]

One common failure in GM trucks with a DEF tank, is the DEF heater.

If the tank is empty or near empty, which many due simply as a matter of principle, the heater fails prematurely, due to lack of cooling. I used to just keep enough in my tank to keep the light off.....this was a mistake.

If you plan to keep the system, keep it full. Sart full, and everytime you get gas, top it off.

 

[Donald]

I was walking past a 90’s era Cummins Ram last week and I could smell the exhaust from half a block alway. My neighbor has a newer F250 PSD and I cannot smell the exhaust while standing a few feet from it.

Trying being anywhere near the tail pipe of my old Doge Ram with Cummins when it's below freezing and you just started it.

 

[ATex7239]

Saving the environment...one 2.5 gallon plastic container at a time.

A lot of gas stations are starting to carrying DEF at the pump now from what I have seen. The Loves down the road from my house has it.

Also if we are worried about plastic container pollution as a community then we’d stop going DIY oil changes and start using quick lubes who buy in bulk. That is of course if we want to stay intellectually consistent though.

 

[thastinger]

A lot of gas stations are starting to carrying DEF at the pump now from what I have seen. The Loves down the road from my house has it.

Also if we are worried about plastic container pollution as a community then we’d stop going DIY oil changes and start using quick lubes who buy in bulk. That is of course if we want to stay intellectually consistent though.

and oil manufacturers sell oil in the bulk "garage packs" of 12Qts with "70% less plastic"
The intellectually consistent side of me wonders how much energy is consumed manufacturing and transporting the DEF.

 

[ATex7239]

and oil manufacturers sell oil in the bulk "garage packs" of 12Qts with "70% less plastic"
The intellectually consistent side of me wonders how much energy is consumed manufacturing and transporting the DEF.

Energy consumption is alway a huge factor. You never get something for nothing in that respect.

 

[johnmyster]

and oil manufacturers sell oil in the bulk "garage packs" of 12Qts with "70% less plastic"
The intellectually consistent side of me wonders how much energy is consumed manufacturing and transporting the DEF.

I stopped at a busy but cramped truck stop a few weeks ago. Poor attendant was emptying all the trash cans the truckers throw their garbage into. His giant trash cart must have been 75% DEF boxes/bottles, uncrushed, headed towards the back dumpster.

 

[BlakeB]

I generally fill mine when the low def message shows up on the dash. I have a gas station close by with a DEF pump, so I just refill as needed. The only exception is if I’m getting ready to leave on a long road trip, I’ll top it off before I leave so I don’t have to worry about it on the road. It’s a 2017 L5P Duramax that’s 7 years old and has ~50k miles currently, no issues so far.

 

[OLEJOE]

I usually let mine get down to a 1/4 tank so that a 2 1/2 gallon jug brings it up to 3/4. As long as there is some sloshing going on in the tank, it will be fine.