DEF Countdown
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 35
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From: Midwest
DEF Countdown
Apologize if there is a thread on this already - I did some searching but couldn't find a lot of information about the countdown. At approximately 6200 miles I received the "800 miles to go" message and the countdown went normally as I drove the next 120 or so miles. The next morning I got up and started the truck and it immediately jumped to "300 miles to go" and started counting down from there.
Anyone seen anything like this? I'm going to fill it back up but am interested in how much notification you might get before performance is impacted if it jumps around without really going by the odometer.
Thanks in advance for any comments or experiences.
Anyone seen anything like this? I'm going to fill it back up but am interested in how much notification you might get before performance is impacted if it jumps around without really going by the odometer.
Thanks in advance for any comments or experiences.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
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I always fill mine about 1000 miles after I check the info center and it says less than 1/2 full. It takes about 3.5 gallons or so at the local Pilot Truck Stop dispenser. I have been concerned about the DEF issues reported during severe cold. Some have reported the problem surfaced after running their DEF tanks down to countdown levels. May be nothing to it by why test fate...
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 826
Likes: 1
From: The Sunshine State
My truck registered less then half today and I dumped in my last jug of Peak brand DEF. I got to go up to the local truck stop and buy a couple more 2.5 gal jugs tomorrow. I never let it go into the countdown mode.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Sunshine Coast, BC
Fun with DEF indications ...
I first saw 1/2 full at 2650 miles at which time I put in 2 gallons. Assuming the tank had started at full which I thought was 5 gallons, I figured I'd hit 1/2 full again at 4770 miles.
It turns out the next 1/2 full came at 6165 miles so the tank must not have been full when I got the truck.
Now having more accurate data, I predict 800 mile warning at 9759 miles. Which conveniently is just shy of the 10,000 mile limit on the Free DEF Fill coupon I got in the mail from Ford.
So I'm going to live on the edge and wait for the 800 mile countdown.
I first saw 1/2 full at 2650 miles at which time I put in 2 gallons. Assuming the tank had started at full which I thought was 5 gallons, I figured I'd hit 1/2 full again at 4770 miles.
It turns out the next 1/2 full came at 6165 miles so the tank must not have been full when I got the truck.
Now having more accurate data, I predict 800 mile warning at 9759 miles. Which conveniently is just shy of the 10,000 mile limit on the Free DEF Fill coupon I got in the mail from Ford.
So I'm going to live on the edge and wait for the 800 mile countdown.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 266
Likes: 1
From: Sunshine Coast, BC
I have it on good authority that the type of pint directly affects the quality of the home made DEF. For example, do not use Pabst Blue Ribbon. Also, cat **** mixed with distilled water is supposed to be top notch.
I got all this from the guy who fueled up his 6.7 from a pail of waste oil he had out behind the shed. Unlike the waste oil, he does recommend filtering your home brew DEF.
I got all this from the guy who fueled up his 6.7 from a pail of waste oil he had out behind the shed. Unlike the waste oil, he does recommend filtering your home brew DEF.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
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I'm positive I'm sticking to quality fuel, cetane booster, proper oil and proper DEF.
I don't have any research to back up this next comment (other than Ford's documentation and API requirements) but using waste oil as fuel and non API certified DEF is not something I'll do. I care too much about my warranty.
I don't have any research to back up this next comment (other than Ford's documentation and API requirements) but using waste oil as fuel and non API certified DEF is not something I'll do. I care too much about my warranty.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
I ran mine dry last time just for kicks. I had 303 miles to get home, truck said 300 miles to E on the DEF. I did'nt want to stop so I just drove home.
Less than 100 miles to go, you get a warning every 5-8 miles on the screen.
Pretty soon it will just tell you that the next time you start the engine, speed will be limited to 55mph. I never shut the truck off until I got home just to be sure. I filled it with 5 gallons the next morning and all is good. Filled her up.
It was fun, kept me awake at the time at least but don't take this as advice. Just something I did out of curiosity. I had 5 gal of DEF with me just in case I really needed to pull over and fill it up.
Less than 100 miles to go, you get a warning every 5-8 miles on the screen.
Pretty soon it will just tell you that the next time you start the engine, speed will be limited to 55mph. I never shut the truck off until I got home just to be sure. I filled it with 5 gallons the next morning and all is good. Filled her up.
It was fun, kept me awake at the time at least but don't take this as advice. Just something I did out of curiosity. I had 5 gal of DEF with me just in case I really needed to pull over and fill it up.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
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More specifically, NOx is formed with high combustion temperatures.
Lower combustion temp = lower NOx = lower need to reduce it back to N2 and H20.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 35
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From: Midwest
Thanks everyone for the information. I had not considered filling it when it first shows less than 1/2, probably will do that from now on - there are plenty of places to get DEF around here so no problem. Keeping it at 1/2 or above makes sense. The only problem I have now is that my oil change indicator is not up so I likely won't go to the dealer to get just my "free" fill this time around. Guess they can just top it off when the oil change pops.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 83
I ran mine dry last time just for kicks. I had 303 miles to get home, truck said 300 miles to E on the DEF. I did'nt want to stop so I just drove home.
Less than 100 miles to go, you get a warning every 5-8 miles on the screen.
Pretty soon it will just tell you that the next time you start the engine, speed will be limited to 55mph. I never shut the truck off until I got home just to be sure. I filled it with 5 gallons the next morning and all is good. Filled her up.
It was fun, kept me awake at the time at least but don't take this as advice. Just something I did out of curiosity. I had 5 gal of DEF with me just in case I really needed to pull over and fill it up.
Less than 100 miles to go, you get a warning every 5-8 miles on the screen.
Pretty soon it will just tell you that the next time you start the engine, speed will be limited to 55mph. I never shut the truck off until I got home just to be sure. I filled it with 5 gallons the next morning and all is good. Filled her up.
It was fun, kept me awake at the time at least but don't take this as advice. Just something I did out of curiosity. I had 5 gal of DEF with me just in case I really needed to pull over and fill it up.
(I know you didn't shut the engine down.)
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
Yes I did, I unhooked my trailer at our warehouse before I came home, nothing happened. Maybe I should have shut the engine down just to see what it felt like to hit the speed limiter? Maybe some day.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 83
At least we know that as long as the engine is running, it appears you'll be fine.
But you had a backup plan anyways so that's just as important (extra DEF).