DEF usage, filling
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,568
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DEF usage, filling
I have about 1500 miles on the ticker now and have not yet had the 1/2 tank warning (unless it came and went and I didn't see it). If I remember right the tank is 5 gallons. I just flipped through my engine suppliment guide and didn't see any reference to the tank capacity, just the SCR system in general. Once I hit the 1/2 tank mark I have 2.5 gallons I can add to top it off for my trip.
What do all of you do for DEF refills? I feel that the $12 or so for a 2.5 gallon jug is a bit over kill (thats $4.80/gal plus a jug and spout). Are there any bulk DEF cans out there - like the yellow 5 gal diesel cans you can get? I don't know that putting DEF in a yellow can would be a good idea but not sure if there are other types out there for DEF?
What do all of you do for DEF refills? I feel that the $12 or so for a 2.5 gallon jug is a bit over kill (thats $4.80/gal plus a jug and spout). Are there any bulk DEF cans out there - like the yellow 5 gal diesel cans you can get? I don't know that putting DEF in a yellow can would be a good idea but not sure if there are other types out there for DEF?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
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You are not warned at half tank (only find out by running setup) but will be warned with the 800 MTE countdown when starting.
The tank is 5 GAL.
I have just used the 2.5 GAL BlueDEF jug but knowing an approved larger container could be useful at times.
I have not used a DEF pump yet (nor have seen one) but that's the only other place I'm aware of that's cheaper than BlueDEF.
The tank is 5 GAL.
I have just used the 2.5 GAL BlueDEF jug but knowing an approved larger container could be useful at times.
I have not used a DEF pump yet (nor have seen one) but that's the only other place I'm aware of that's cheaper than BlueDEF.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 111
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From: New West, BC
5 gal "boxes" of DEF are available at O'Riley's for $12. They come with the dispenser nozzle.
In regard to storing DEF in a yellow diesel can, there was a thread a while back where some gal's dad put DEF in the fuel tank. I don't she ever came back on to tell us what the outcome was, but some of the Ford diesel techs that post on here said that the motor was toast. I wouldn't want to risk forgetting that there was something in the yellow can other than diesel.
Brian
In regard to storing DEF in a yellow diesel can, there was a thread a while back where some gal's dad put DEF in the fuel tank. I don't she ever came back on to tell us what the outcome was, but some of the Ford diesel techs that post on here said that the motor was toast. I wouldn't want to risk forgetting that there was something in the yellow can other than diesel.
Brian
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
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Those are 2.5 GAL jugs at O'Reilly's for +/- $12.00.
I've bought several of those.
Peak DEF-2.5 - Diesel Exhaust Fluid | O'Reilly Auto Parts
They do have 55 GAL and 275 GAL options if you have a fleet moving 30,000 lbs all day to burn that much.
I've bought several of those.
Peak DEF-2.5 - Diesel Exhaust Fluid | O'Reilly Auto Parts
They do have 55 GAL and 275 GAL options if you have a fleet moving 30,000 lbs all day to burn that much.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: New West, BC
Those are 2.5 GAL jugs at O'Reilly's for +/- $12.00.
I've bought several of those.
Peak DEF-2.5 - Diesel Exhaust Fluid | O'Reilly Auto Parts
They do have 55 GAL and 275 GAL options if you have a fleet moving 30,000 lbs all day to burn that much.
I've bought several of those.
Peak DEF-2.5 - Diesel Exhaust Fluid | O'Reilly Auto Parts
They do have 55 GAL and 275 GAL options if you have a fleet moving 30,000 lbs all day to burn that much.
Brian
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,082
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
Those are 2.5 GAL jugs at O'Reilly's for +/- $12.00.
I've bought several of those.
Peak DEF-2.5 - Diesel Exhaust Fluid | O'Reilly Auto Parts
They do have 55 GAL and 275 GAL options if you have a fleet moving 30,000 lbs all day to burn that much.
I've bought several of those.
Peak DEF-2.5 - Diesel Exhaust Fluid | O'Reilly Auto Parts
They do have 55 GAL and 275 GAL options if you have a fleet moving 30,000 lbs all day to burn that much.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
In my experience, DEF goes at approx. 1000mpg while towing, maybe slightly more in the heat of summer. So, expect 5000/tank.
You might want to get a 1 or 2.5 gal jug just to have and top off with since your truck is new and we have found that the tank is not necessarily full from the factory.
At $4.80/gal, that gives us a $.0048 cost per mile, right? You think that's too expensive?
Don't take me wrong, I just think it's really cheap when you consider that this fluid is primarily responsible for allowing the engine to provide the 20% improvement in fuel economy.
You might want to get a 1 or 2.5 gal jug just to have and top off with since your truck is new and we have found that the tank is not necessarily full from the factory.
At $4.80/gal, that gives us a $.0048 cost per mile, right? You think that's too expensive?
Don't take me wrong, I just think it's really cheap when you consider that this fluid is primarily responsible for allowing the engine to provide the 20% improvement in fuel economy.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 115
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From: So Cal
I have about 1500 miles on the ticker now and have not yet had the 1/2 tank warning (unless it came and went and I didn't see it). If I remember right the tank is 5 gallons. I just flipped through my engine suppliment guide and didn't see any reference to the tank capacity, just the SCR system in general. Once I hit the 1/2 tank mark I have 2.5 gallons I can add to top it off for my trip.
What do all of you do for DEF refills? I feel that the $12 or so for a 2.5 gallon jug is a bit over kill (thats $4.80/gal plus a jug and spout). Are there any bulk DEF cans out there - like the yellow 5 gal diesel cans you can get? I don't know that putting DEF in a yellow can would be a good idea but not sure if there are other types out there for DEF?
What do all of you do for DEF refills? I feel that the $12 or so for a 2.5 gallon jug is a bit over kill (thats $4.80/gal plus a jug and spout). Are there any bulk DEF cans out there - like the yellow 5 gal diesel cans you can get? I don't know that putting DEF in a yellow can would be a good idea but not sure if there are other types out there for DEF?
As was said be careful putting in DEF in anything but a DEF container, if put in the fuel tank by mistake it is an expensive fix.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
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The first few I purchased the spout worked great and the last one I used I couldn't get the threads to tighten properly and it leaked bad.
This one isn't as fancy as the more expensive Motorcraft DEF container so you have to be careful with overflow but if it's quiet enough, you can hear when the tank begins to get full.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: herriman utah
just find a truck stop that sells it at the pump, its always under $3/ gal there. my truck uses a gal of DEF about every 1000-1500 miles, the frustrating thing however for me is, you get an 800 mile to empty message, then put in a gallon and its like nothing happens, in fact, last time I had the 800 mile to empty message, I added at least 1.5 gals, still had the message, even showed I had 400 miles to empty. then when I went to fill up the DEF tank at the truck stop and it only took 2.5 gals, so I was actually about half full of DEF but the truck didn't reset until I filled the tank all the way.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
just find a truck stop that sells it at the pump, its always under $3/ gal there. my truck uses a gal of DEF about every 1000-1500 miles, the frustrating thing however for me is, you get an 800 mile to empty message, then put in a gallon and its like nothing happens, in fact, last time I had the 800 mile to empty message, I added at least 1.5 gals, still had the message, even showed I had 400 miles to empty. then when I went to fill up the DEF tank at the truck stop and it only took 2.5 gals, so I was actually about half full of DEF but the truck didn't reset until I filled the tank all the way.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,829
Likes: 3
just find a truck stop that sells it at the pump, its always under $3/ gal there. my truck uses a gal of DEF about every 1000-1500 miles, the frustrating thing however for me is, you get an 800 mile to empty message, then put in a gallon and its like nothing happens, in fact, last time I had the 800 mile to empty message, I added at least 1.5 gals, still had the message, even showed I had 400 miles to empty. then when I went to fill up the DEF tank at the truck stop and it only took 2.5 gals, so I was actually about half full of DEF but the truck didn't reset until I filled the tank all the way.
Posting Guru
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Does this mean someone can be caught in "no man's land"? Will they go into "limp" mode because it won't reset?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
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From: North of Salt Lake City
The best thing to do is to simply fill it when a person gets the 800 mile warning. Throw two boxes or 5 gallons in and the high sensor will register and start the process over from the beginning. If you can't fill it, you have to get at least enough in the tank to reach the middle sensor.
New User
Joined: Jan 2011
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I was half way to the Grand Canyon pulling my 5th wheel when I got the 800 mile warning. I knew that wouldn't get me to the canyon and back to Orange County so I stopped at a Loves truck stop near Lake Havasu. I was going to use the pump but there was a line of trucks for that island so I just bought a 2-1/2 gal. jug and dumped it in figuring it would get me home. The warning went off and I haven't seen it since. I've put on about 2000 miles since so I'm sure I should fill it before heading up the mountain to Big Bear this weekend.