My 2012 got it's first "500 miles to empty...." DEF alarm yesterday. I added 2.5 gallons and the same alarm keeps showing up each time I start the engine. Is there some kind of other reset required? Do I need to fill the tank up completely to reset it? I'm concerned the engine will shut down after 500 miles even though the DEF tank is about 1/2 full. Thanks.

 

pretty much need to fill it to reset it. It must have required a touch more than 2.5 gallons. I would add some more and then see if it resets.

 

I've learned two things about DEF. You have to put in enough to fill the tank over half way. And sometimes it takes several hours to clear the warning.

I went through this last time I needed DEF. I added 2 1/2 gallons and it didn't clear. I got a gallon jug at a dealer and put it in and the problem went away.

The previous time, I put in 2 1/2 gallons and it didn't clear for several starts that afternoon, but the next morning the warning didn't come up.

 

Your def tank only has a few sensors that read the level of the tank. Best to fill it right to the top so it will hit the top sensor and get a full reading, might help...

 

Had a similar thing happen last week. Got the "500 miles to empty" message and about 10 minutes later got the "200 miles to empty". Went O'Reillys and picked up two 2 1/2 gallon jugs.

I put one of them in and drove for about 20 minutes, turned the truck off and when I restarted it the light was off.

Went to the info center and it said that I was less than half full. So I put the second 2 1/2 gallons in.

I think that the truck resets the warning light when it feels like it.

 

Thanks for all the info. Heading right out for another 2.5 gal jug.

 

I had a similar thing happen while on a long trip. When I finally got round to adding 2.5 gallons I was getting 465 MILES TO EMPTY when starting the truck. I went to the local Ford dealer and got a 2.5 gallon jug. After adding the DEF I turned to the key to ON and still got the 465 mile message. I then cycled the key from OFF to ON and it went to 799 MILES TO EMPTY. When I got to the campsite I went to the local Tereso station a bought another 2.5 gallons. That filled the DEF tank with a little left over. I again turned the key to ON and still got the 799 mile message. Then next morning the same message. I decided to continue to our next destination and if I still had the 799 message I would take the truck to the local dealer. About 30 miles down the road I checked the info center and the DEF showed OK. It's been fine every since.

Rob

 

Is there any benefit to the following strategy?

Run the def tank until it is empty, all the way to showing 50 miles to empty. Do this every time, always run it dry before filling with new.

This is what I have done since truck was new two years ago, 107,000 miles now and I have never had any confusing or delayed computer readings in the system. I fill it while the truck is running sometimes and the warning lights/info goes away while I am filling.

I have no idea if there is any logic to this though, it's just what I do and I have never had an issue with the system.

 

I did read a post somewhere that you need to fill it to at least 60% or more and to fill it with the truck shut off. Not sure how accurate that is, as I got the less than half full warning and picked up a 2 1/2 gal jug within a day after getting the message and poured it in and started it up and it said it was OK then...but I do think it does kinda have a mind of it's own based on everything I have read about filling and getting it to update correctly.

I guess the moral of the story is "Always fill it all the way up!"

 

Thanks for all of your responses. Filled it up and everything cleared. Has anyone used the bulk DEF from a truck stop? I understand it's cheaper. This forum continues to be a great resource. Thanks again.

 

DEF at NAPA is about $15.00 for 2 1/2 gallons. at the deisel truck stop it is about $2.65 a gallons

 

No truck stops close here and the local Walmart quit selling it about as quickly as they started.

I have been buying DEF at my local Ford dealership.
$14.39 for 2 1/2 gal jug. The want $5 for the nozzle to pour it though. I heard (from FTE) that Ford was going to start charging for the nozzles so I just saved a 2.5 and a 1 gal nozzle.

As soon as I realize the tank is less than 1/2 full, I will just grab another jug and throw it in the next shance I get.
Always resets the gauge with no issues.
This is only thing I don't want to run out of, even though it does give you all types of warnings ahead of time.

_

 

I bought the 2.5 gallon box of Blue Def at Autozone on Sunday for $11.99 + tax. with nozzle.

Sam

 

Hi there

I have a 2012 F-350 with the 6.7 diesel been driving it for 46k+ now. Today I am 2400 miles onto my 4000 mi trip, the truck was service about 2weeks ago and today I get the 500 mile alarm went in purchased 2 boxes of DEF fluid (I am thinking the dealership screwed up again) and put about 1 gal in before it overflowed. WTH is going on here? The alarm finally reset after an hour of talking to myself and the truck.

Bottom line is has anyone else had the premature DEF 500 mi warning??? 😱

 

I have a 2013 and had the 500 mile message about six weeks ago. I was only able to add about 1.5 gal and it took almost 90 miles to reset. Don't know why it happened and haven't seen it since. In the past I'd normally keep it topped off and rarely hits under 1/2 on the message center.