Talk to me about DEF and Maintenance

[Muddyz]

Okay I am just over 5k miles. DEF is getting low and time to fill it up. What is the best way to do this and how much do I need? Do I just go to Walmart and buy a big jug and fill er up?

Also starting to think about maintenance. Is everyone just waiting until their light comes on and then taking it to the shop/dealer?

 

[Sludgemonkey44]

Okay I am just over 5k miles. DEF is getting low and time to fill it up. What is the best way to do this and how much do I need? Do I just go to Walmart and buy a big jug and fill er up?

Also starting to think about maintenance. Is everyone just waiting until their light comes on and then taking it to the shop/dealer?

I’ll be following this thread for the DEF recommendations, but as far as maintenance goes, I just did my first oil change at 4K. It was a little early, but I wanted to change it out before it got snowy and cold here. If I had waited until after winter, I would have most likely been past my mileage comfort level. Anyway, out of all of the vehicles I have ever owned, it was BY FAR the easiest oil change I’ve ever done. Drain plug and filter are side by side and easy to access without needing to jack the truck up. The only thing is it takes 13 quarts, so I upgraded to a 24 quart drain pan. Just my two cents on maintenance.

 

[Prospect]

The manual says to top off the DEF tank at least every oil change.
I buy two 2-1/2 gallon Motorcraft jugs from the dealer at a time so it is a fresh batch. DEF tank is about 7-1/2 gallons. Buy the hose they sell for filling DEF and follow instructions.

 

[Gumby]

I went to Tractor Supply and bought a box of Blue DEF. I was just over 2,000 miles last week and the DEF said it was at about half so I figured I would dump some in. It came with a handy little poor spout and I didn't even have to take the jug out of the box. Easy peasy, as far as maintenance I will follow what is suggested in the manual.

My last diesel was a 1997 7.3 PowerStroke and I did not have to deal with DEF. This is my first truck with DEF and I am curious about this as well so I will stick around and see what others post. ?

 

[Tx-Tremor6.7]

This will be my first diesel vehicle with DEF, so I need was wondering the same thing.

Is there any advantage to topping it off if you are not planning a long trip?

We are planning a three week trip around the country this summer, so I may need to fill it up when on the road. Do most people carry it with them or buy more on the road and then, carry the remaining back home?

 

[erikswedberg]

I read somewhere else people saying DEF you buy in the boxes from AutoZone or the gas station or whatever goes stale. It's best to get it from the pump at truck stops.

 

[Tx-Tremor6.7]

I read somewhere else people saying DEF you buy in the boxes from AutoZone or the gas station or whatever goes stale. It's best to get it from the pump at truck stops.

That sounds more reasonable. If I can buy it and just pump it in at a truck stop, that is what I will do. I will be pulling a camper, so I will be stopping at truck stops anyway.

 

[erikswedberg]

Yeah after messing with those ammonia smelling boxes and having the crappy hose thing pop off and spray all over the truck and my clothes, versus the ease of doing it from a pump, I'm never going back if I can help it.

 

[taztremor]

Check the date on the DEF box and/or purchase somewhere that turns over product often. I had a Duramax and only put the 2.5 gallon DEF boxes in it (2 every 5,000 miles for the 100k miles I had it) - there was no gauge, only a reminder when XXX miles to empty. I was and still am concerned about purchasing somewhere that has bulk DEF due to the possibility of contamination/poor quality. If going on a trip, I would take 2.5 gallons with me if I hadn't filled recently. I also carried a funnel as the plastic fill hoses were flimsy and easy to make a mess as stated above. As for maintenance, I have the Ford Premium Maintenance Plan so it will be going to my Ford dealer every 7,500 for service.

 

[jhblaze1]

I read somewhere else people saying DEF you buy in the boxes from AutoZone or the gas station or whatever goes stale. It's best to get it from the pump at truck stops.

sounds like BS. DEF is DEF. it's deionized water with urea dissolved in it. it has a shelf life of at least a year, probably longer really. I'm sure autozone moves enough of it that the jug your grabbing is probably nowhere near a year old.

of course, if you live near a truck stop and they have the shit on tap then no reason not to use that.

 

[Chris21667]

so it will be cheaper at the pump over buy a box.... also NEVER STOCK UP on DEF!!!!!! it has a shelf life ....also there is no reason to fill completely up unless your always towing ... or maybe going on a trip of 2k to 3k miles when empty you will use no def at all ... when towing you will use alot ... i emptied the tank in 1200 miles of towing but i am currently 2k miles of empty and still at 90% full .... so only fill up to 50 % to 75 % unless towing

 

[Muddyz]

I’m 5800 miles in and this is my first tank. I haven’t pulled anything yet as my camper was already set in place at the hunting ranch.

 

[davidb1841]

I was full of DEF last oil change....I am at 5000 miles since.....my DEF is just under half a tank...maybe 3/8. My dealer tops me off everytime I get serviced. I am guessing DEF is being used at the rate of 1 Gallon per 1000 miles driving the truck as a daily driver, without towing.

 

[stubby]

For everything I've read on DEF, this seems to be common amongst the articles:

• DEF should not be stored in direct sunlight. Ideal storage is in a cool, dry ventilated place.
• The best temperature for storing DEF is 77°F. Higher temperatures will not affect the quality of the DEF, but will impact its shelf life. The quality of DEF also is not affected if the fluid freezes. When stored under optimal conditions — between 12°F and 86°F — DEF has a shelf life of up to two years. If stored in warmer temperatures, shelf life decreases.

 

[Chris21667]

For everything I've read on DEF, this seems to be common amongst the articles:

• DEF should not be stored in direct sunlight. Ideal storage is in a cool, dry ventilated place.
• The best temperature for storing DEF is 77°F. Higher temperatures will not affect the quality of the DEF, but will impact its shelf life. The quality of DEF also is not affected if the fluid freezes. When stored under optimal conditions — between 12°F and 86°F — DEF has a shelf life of up to two years. If stored in warmer temperatures, shelf life decreases.

interesting this says 2 years when other places say only 1 year and at the auto part store they say 6 to 9 months

 

[stubby]

yeah, I definetly see more that say a one year shelf life but all seem to remain the same on storage and temps.

 

[Cococounty]

I try to get it at the pump easier to fill if you add at half tank it usually only takes one jug to fill it so there’s no over flowing

 

[Patriot]

The manual says to top off the DEF tank at least every oil change.
I buy two 2-1/2 gallon Motorcraft jugs from the dealer at a time so it is a fresh batch. DEF tank is about 7-1/2 gallons. Buy the hose they sell for filling DEF and follow instructions.

Yep, reading the manual - a great resource. ??

 

[Doilookwasted]

Has anyone else noticed a difference in DEF consumption depending on where they get their fuel? I haven't done a quantitative analysis but I'd say I use up to 25% less based on whose pumps I fuel up at. Esso and Shell up here in Soviet Canuckistan seem to be the best.

 

[Patriot]

Has anyone else noticed a difference in DEF consumption depending on where they get their fuel? I haven't done a quantitative analysis but I'd say I use up to 25% less based on whose pumps I fuel up at. Esso and Shell up here in Soviet Canuckistan seem to be the best.

No only when towing. Soviet Canuckistan...?? that was funny.