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Old 05-22-2015, 08:57 AM   #1
Javi
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Javi's Rules for DEF Usage..

Seeing John got him a new diesel TV, and having seen others ask about DEF and some even worrying about running out of DEF. I thought I'd post my rules for DEF usage...


  1. If you can't remember the last time you added DEF... pour some in..
  2. If you're headed out on a trip... Top off the DEF
  3. If you see the message “Less than 1/2”.. Add DEF
  4. If you ain't seen the message “Less than 1/2” in a good while.... Add some DEF
  5. If you ain't added any DEF in the last couple of thousand miles... Add some DEF now.
  6. If you're at the truck stop filling your truck with diesel and there is a DEF pump right there... Add some DEF to the DEF tank right now..
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Old 05-22-2015, 09:03 AM   #2
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Wow, I break all of your rules. I just add DEF before I do any transport run. Each run is about 4k miles round trip. The last run I did was actually 4,900 and I got the 600 mile DEF distance remaining warning about 250 miles from home. I topped off when I got home. I always top off at the pump, I don't trust the stuff sold in the box, not because it's poor quality, but because it gets old and I don't feel like checking for an expiration date. Biggest/most important rule on DEF, DON'T ADD OLD DEF. I believe it has a 2 year shelf life, but I wouldn't push that.
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Old 05-22-2015, 09:07 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by bsmith0404 View Post
Wow, I break all of your rules. I just add DEF before I do any transport run. Each run is about 4k miles round trip. The last run I did was actually 4,900 and I got the 600 mile DEF distance remaining warning about 250 miles from home. I topped off when I got home. I always top off at the pump, I don't trust the stuff sold in the box, not because it's poor quality, but because it gets old and I don't feel like checking for an expiration date. Biggest/most important rule on DEF, DON'T ADD OLD DEF. I believe it has a 2 year shelf life, but I wouldn't push that.
Looks like you're using #2 and #6 at least..

I can't go a day without seeing someone complaining about their truck going into limp mode 'cause the DEF got low.. Two weeks ago we were camped at Goose Island and the guy next to me drove up in a rental car.. I asked him where his truck was.. In the shop.. It ran out of DEF and went into limp mode.. was his reply.

This stuff ain't rocket surgery ...
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Old 05-22-2015, 09:15 AM   #4
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Guess you're right, I do use #2 and 6. No excuse for running out, the trucks give you plenty of warning.

Well I guess there is one problem with the GM system that could lead to running out (I'm not familiar with the Ford and Dodge). The DIC will give you a warning around 600 miles to go, if you clear the warning message, I don't think it comes back on. I did that once and completely forgot about it. Of course, I remembered about 400 miles later when I filled up, but if I hadn't remembered.......
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Old 05-22-2015, 09:42 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by bsmith0404 View Post
Guess you're right, I do use #2 and 6. No excuse for running out, the trucks give you plenty of warning.

Well I guess there is one problem with the GM system that could lead to running out (I'm not familiar with the Ford and Dodge). The DIC will give you a warning around 600 miles to go, if you clear the warning message, I don't think it comes back on. I did that once and completely forgot about it. Of course, I remembered about 400 miles later when I filled up, but if I hadn't remembered.......
The Ford gives you a warning at less than 1/2, and I think 800 miles to go then a another at I think 500 till limp mode.. I've never seen any of them except the less than 1/2.. You can also check it in the information panel and even my cheap XL has that..
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Old 05-22-2015, 09:50 AM   #6
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I guess the trucks are to big to be hand pushing to the gas station when running out. I did that for 2 blocks with a Datsun P/U about 40 years ago. I really like to travel on the first 1/2 of fuel in any tank not the last half.
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Old 05-22-2015, 09:59 AM   #7
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...and then there is the parody on badges. DEF. What DEF? I don't need no stinkin' DEF.

However, your plan looks like a good one to avoid the dreaded limp mode due to lack of DEF. Some stations don't have DEF, so I suppose one would have to carry a contingency box of DEF unless planning fueling at truck stops, if any exist along the planned route. Frankly, DEF seems like an inconvience that I am glad I don't experience.
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Old 05-22-2015, 10:57 AM   #8
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Hard to experience 430 horsepower and 830 ft/lbs of torque without it.....keep that in mind. And yes, that includes all GM, Dodge and Ford in case anyone wanted to know. The cost of DEF is about 3/10ths of a cent per mile. Over 400K it will add about $1100 to the total cost of your experience......diesel fuel? About 100,000 or so. Give me the HP and the torque any time.
I believe it was someone not so famous who said horsepower is how fast you hit the wall; torque is how far you take the wall with you.
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Old 05-22-2015, 02:01 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by notanlines View Post
Hard to experience 430 horsepower and 830 ft/lbs of torque without it.....keep that in mind. And yes, that includes all GM, Dodge and Ford in case anyone wanted to know. The cost of DEF is about 3/10ths of a cent per mile. Over 400K it will add about $1100 to the total cost of your experience......diesel fuel? About 100,000 or so. Give me the HP and the torque any time.
I believe it was someone not so famous who said horsepower is how fast you hit the wall; torque is how far you take the wall with you.
Don't forget to plug in the initial expense passed on to you by the manufacturer. You can call a ham sandwich a Jambon de Paris, but its still a ham sandwich. I'll pass on DEF and other complications while I can.
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Old 05-22-2015, 02:20 PM   #10
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DEF is pretty much available anywhere now. I can't think of the last gas station I stopped at that didn't have it (if they sell diesel). I prefer the DEF at the pump, but if I had to buy a 2.5 gallon jug in a pinch I would. At 5 gallons every 5k miles, I don't get that concerned about not being able to get it. For many people that is one or two fill ups per year. For me, it's about twice per month, more if I decide to run more loads. Heck, it's such big business now that Blue DEF is a NASCAR sponsor. It is still getting a bad rap by people who don't have it or by people who have problems because they ignore the warnings and let it run out, but in reality it's not much different than checking your oil or filling your windshield washer fluid.
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Old 05-22-2015, 03:16 PM   #11
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That's the thing I can't understand...

How the heck do you let the truck run out of DEF... I've heard a bunch of folks talk about carrying an extra 5 gallons with them on a trip and even several that carry 10 gallons just in case..

Had a guy on local forum I visit asking for help cause he was shut down on I35 and needed DEF... really there is a truck stop, WalMart, auto parts store, etc. every couple of miles on I35 in Texas...

I sure wouldn't let DEF keep me from buying a diesel if I wanted one.. and I'm sure I will never run out of DEF unless someone punches a hole in the tank..
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Old 05-22-2015, 03:23 PM   #12
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Wow! If I remember correctly GM, in addition to the DIC warning, will go to a 50 mph limp before it goes to the 15 mph limp. And if I'm correct, it doesn't go into the 15 mph limp until you shut it down and restart, so that gives you MORE than enough warning to go buy DEF. I'm sure the other two have a similar warning in place.
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Old 05-22-2015, 03:31 PM   #13
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Agree with the above - DEF is a non issue and costs next to nothing. It sure is nice to have 435 Hp and 800 lbs of torque and if I wipe the inside of the tail pipe with a rag, it comes away CLEAN. I know that many folks spend a lot of money deleting the smog systems, but I like to be able to actually see the sierras every once in awhile. Nothing wrong with a clean burning diesel that will run like a scalded rabbit!
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Old 05-22-2015, 03:41 PM   #14
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Ford...
Less than 1/2 tank

Warning 500 mile to empty... keeps popping up ever so often

Warning 99 miles till empty speed limited to 50 mph

Tank empty... speed limited to 50 mph on restart

200 miles after tank empty.. engine idled soon

and finally...


Engine Idled-See Owner’s Manual
This occurs when the exhaust fluid is empty the truck has been driven 200 miles with the DEF empty and:
The vehicles diesel fuel tank is refueled or, the engine is shut off for 10 minutes or, the engine is idling with the parking brake engaged for 60 minutes.

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Old 05-22-2015, 03:49 PM   #15
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According to GM,

DEF Range 1,000 miles
DEF Range 300 miles
DEF Range 0 miles
If not added at the next start, speed limited to 55 mph
If not added at the next start, speed limited to 4 mph in accordance with federal regulations
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Old 05-22-2015, 03:54 PM   #16
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Ram

Has a gas style gauge that shows full and empty lol, can't get any simpler then that!

I take a gallon with me when I haul cause I am never sure when I will be back or what remote area I will be taken too. Have never seen it at the pump yet but have no issues finding it at every store and garage imaginable.
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Old 05-22-2015, 04:05 PM   #17
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Not sure about your area, but here it's at the pump at pretty much every truck stop, but you have to go to the truck lanes.

My only gripe is GM put the fill spout under the hood on the passenger side, the DEF pumps are only on the driver side and have a short hose so I have to angle the nose a bit toward the pump. From that spot, I cannot get the fuel hose into the tank fill neck for the diesel. The pump gives you the option to buy both on the same purchase, but pumps the diesel first. So I go through the process twice, first buy/fill the DEF, then the diesel.
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Old 05-22-2015, 04:23 PM   #18
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Quote:
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...and then there is the parody on badges. DEF. What DEF? I don't need no stinkin' DEF.
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Old 05-22-2015, 04:28 PM   #19
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I don't think DEF around Houston gets over a few weeks old, they sell the stuff like crazy and just about everybody carries it.
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Old 05-22-2015, 04:33 PM   #20
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Howdy All;

Another reason why I got my truck it's work done last Summer,
it's a 2004 ... pre-DEF. One less thing to remember/worry about.

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