I always keep on top of the DEF level on my 2016 F250 and never had this happen before. I was coming home the other day, and a message popped up saying that I was going into a 500mi DEF Countdown. I knew that there must have been at least 2.5 Gallons of DEF on board, since I checked the Level prior to making the 300mi round Trip and got an OK reading. So when I got back Home we dumped in a 2.5gal Jug of DEF, and she overflowed with about a quart of fluid left in the Jug. Has anyone else experienced this, and is it a defect with the DEF system. Hate to fix it if it isn't broke................Lew

 

Lew, sorry to hear of your troubles,
Yes, this has been discussed to great detail, many times.
You could try doing a search on this forum, using the forum tools tab.

Your trucks computer could be confused or you may actually have a problem.
It has been suggested, that you only fill the DEF tank when the truck tells you to. you will get plenty of advice on the subject shortly. LOL
Good luck !

 

On 3/4/16 I had the 500 miles to empty message appear. After getting that message I drove another approximately 208 miles that day. That evening after checking the mileage since I had previously filled any DEF (2344 miles driven since 8/26/15 last fill), I added a 2 1/2 gal jug of DEF, it overflowed with a cup or two of DEF in the jug. Since that time have not had any more messages concerning DEF. Next time I get a 500 mile message I am going to wait for about 300 miles before adding DEF. Note - always use the Ford DEF fill spout even when you think its going to take more than one jug to fill the DEF tank.

 

I would have waiting and see if it would correct itself.


Especially since you knew you had more in there.


One reason I don't even bother filling till it gets down to <200 till empty.


If I am going to be a long ways from home I just throw a couple of the 2.5 jugs in the truck.

 

yep! I had this problem too on my 2016. Never had a problem in my 2011 and I would always add when it said < 1/2 full. Seems like there could be some opportunity for Ford to improved upon the programming there if indeed the system is getting "confused".

 

Same here. 2016 F-350 6.7 Diesel. Three weeks old. DEF 1/2 full message. 1100 miles on the odometer. Did not even take a full 2.5 gallons. Message now counting down from 500 miles and won't go away. Service appointment for next Tuesday. Every time I have this problem that Ford can't seem to straighten out, the dealer will have to fix it on warranty. Yes, it's the EPA, but it seems to me Ford can figure out a better way to monitor the fluid level, because what they have, isn't working.

 

Wes,


Once I topped off my tank, and drove it 3 or 4 times, the message did clear on its own. I was a little concerned about it, but becoming less so.

 

+1

That's what I just did on my 2015 with just over 8000 miles on it.

Waited til is was sub "200 miles left" then added two 2.5 gallon jugs. Barely fit it all in the tank, but it took it.

After filling, restarted the truck and within a few seconds the level reset to "OK".

 

Forgot to mention that after topping off the DEF, the500mi warning cleared immediately, and the DEF OK was displayed. As someone else mentioned, I never experienced this on my 11 either. Mileage is just over 10K on the 16

 

This was my first time running it nearly empty.

When I took delivery of my truck the dealer must have not topped off the tank because I got the 1/2 full warning almost immediately.

Being new to DEF/DPF/SCR/ETC.... (coming from a 2004 6.0L with no emission stuff left) I topped it off instead of waiting til it got low.

After reading of others "confusing" the system by topping off, and most having better luck by running it to the sub 200 mile range.... I decided to go that route from now on.

So far so good.

 

2016 F-250 6.7L Diesel. Five weeks old. I have 1777.7 miles and I too have a DEF less than 1/2 full warning. The message at 1777.7 would be fine if Ford only filled up the DEF tank to 2/3 full from the factory. It is a long ways from the manual: "Generally, the DEF tank should be filled during the oil change service interval"

I have no big trips on the radar for the next 4 weeks, so I am going to wait to fill the DEF until I see the less than 500 miles to go on the DEF tank.

 

Two times I have seen the countdown on my 2015. First time it cleared right away - as soon as I topped off the tank. The second time, it was several drive cycles to clear, to the point I was about to make a service visit, when it cleared.

I like to wait until I see the less than 1/2 full message and then I top it off, so at least the computer sees an increase in fluid. At times I will top off - especially if I have that cup or two left in a Jug... I don't like to force any in, since it does freeze. I realize that is not an issue for everyone though.

If Ford wanted you to fill it every oil change, they should have given us a bigger DEF tank. Kinda like why do hotdog buns come in packs of 8, but I have to buy hotdogs in packs of 12.

 

I try to run mine way down. Like within 50 miles.

I also try to use a def pump to fill as well. If one isn't available I fill with a pair of 2.5 gallon jugs. Usually don't have excess either.

Can't wait till my truck gets to the end of warranty so I can be rid of this nonsense.

 

When I filled the fuel today, and I also topped of the DEF. It had lass than 50% full message. I ran the diesel tank message to 30mi to empty and I put in 22 gal. There was still 4 in tank.

In put in 2.07 gal of DEF at the fuel station. The info display immediately said that DEF was full after start.

I will repeat the next time I get the DEF at less them 50% message.

Miles today. 2005.1

 

Wes what did your dealer say? I have a 2016 with 1500 miles on it and I am getting the Def 500 miles message