How many miles before adding DEF
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
I bought and used ONE $12 (IIRC) 2.5 gallon bottle and that was enough of the dark ages for me....
I never pay attention to it anymore -
now whenever I happen to run by a Flying J or Pilot, I just use their def pumps for $2.79 per gallon...
(they have a phone app for it that can tell you where the closest one is...Pilot Flying J) so no worries
I never pay attention to it anymore -
now whenever I happen to run by a Flying J or Pilot, I just use their def pumps for $2.79 per gallon...
(they have a phone app for it that can tell you where the closest one is...Pilot Flying J) so no worries
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 1
From: WY
Typically, I would add a 2 1/2 gal jug once the "less than 1/2 full" message showed up. Last week I got the 800 miles to go warning and by the time I made it around to add some DEF, I was getting the 570 miles to go. Just for kicks and giggles, when I added the DEF, I left the truck running and the message visible on the LED screen, to see what would happen. After adding approx 1/2 of the jug, the miles to go screen simply disappeared. I figured it would take a key cycle or two to recognize the additional fluid, but it noticed it right away. The screen now says fluid level ok.
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
I bought and used ONE $12 (IIRC) 2.5 gallon bottle and that was enough of the dark ages for me....
I never pay attention to it anymore -
now whenever I happen to run by a Flying J or Pilot, I just use their def pumps for $2.79 per gallon...
(the have a phone app for it that can tell you where the closet one is...Pilot Flying J) so no worries
I never pay attention to it anymore -
now whenever I happen to run by a Flying J or Pilot, I just use their def pumps for $2.79 per gallon...
(the have a phone app for it that can tell you where the closet one is...Pilot Flying J) so no worries
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I had the oil changed today, so I decided to go ahead and add the 2.5 gallons of DEF I had with me. The message center said I had less than half tank before I added the 2.5 gallons. It now says the DEF level is "Ok".
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 1
From: WY
BTW, welcome aboard. This is a great place to hang out and learn.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: California
I've got around 5,000 miles on my new truck and haven't added any yet.
I have a couple questions for y'all.
1. Is there any kind of warning before the truck starts running in the reduced power mode (don't know the technical term)?
2. How many miles do you average between adding DEF?
Thanks,
David
I have a couple questions for y'all.
1. Is there any kind of warning before the truck starts running in the reduced power mode (don't know the technical term)?
2. How many miles do you average between adding DEF?
Thanks,
David
This time however it was a very strange behavior. After getting the first message "less than 500 miles to go" it was counting down. I didn't have time to refill, and didn't drive much either so I let it count down, thinking when I get about 100 miles, I will go to the local dealer (5 miles from home) and get the service done.
I drove the truck until I saw 285 miles left, then next day I got a message that I have 500 miles left (!?) without adding anything.
It appears that it started counting down fresh, and now I'm at 350 miles left and keep going.
I wonder...
BJ
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20,169
Likes: 15,998
From: Wisconsin
I've been reading this thread and wondering why the owners getting low on DEF just don't add DEF? Why go to a dealer to let them add it? why worry about when you are going to run out? A 800 or 500 miles to go message or any of that?
I pick it up almost any where they sell fuel, auto parts, farm store, etc. Is it not available to purchase in a 2.5 gal jug or do you just not want to mess with it? If really is not a big deal. I wouldn't want to get that low in any tank as there is always contaminants floating in ANY tank, keeping it full and not sucking in air or crap just makes me feel like I'm doing my part. I'd just add some DEF and not spent so much time worrying about it. In the time I made this post, I could have added DEF to my truck. Seriously.
I pick it up almost any where they sell fuel, auto parts, farm store, etc. Is it not available to purchase in a 2.5 gal jug or do you just not want to mess with it? If really is not a big deal. I wouldn't want to get that low in any tank as there is always contaminants floating in ANY tank, keeping it full and not sucking in air or crap just makes me feel like I'm doing my part. I'd just add some DEF and not spent so much time worrying about it. In the time I made this post, I could have added DEF to my truck. Seriously.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 63,235
Likes: 6,666
From: Great Falls, Montana
I've been reading this thread and wondering why the owners getting low on DEF just don't add DEF? Why go to a dealer to let them add it? why worry about when you are going to run out? A 800 or 500 miles to go message or any of that?
I pick it up almost any where they sell fuel, auto parts, farm store, etc. Is it not available to purchase in a 2.5 gal jug or do you just not want to mess with it? If really is not a big deal. I wouldn't want to get that low in any tank as there is always contaminants floating in ANY tank, keeping it full and not sucking in air or crap just makes me feel like I'm doing my part. I'd just add some DEF and not spent so much time worrying about it. In the time I made this post, I could have added DEF to my truck. Seriously.
I pick it up almost any where they sell fuel, auto parts, farm store, etc. Is it not available to purchase in a 2.5 gal jug or do you just not want to mess with it? If really is not a big deal. I wouldn't want to get that low in any tank as there is always contaminants floating in ANY tank, keeping it full and not sucking in air or crap just makes me feel like I'm doing my part. I'd just add some DEF and not spent so much time worrying about it. In the time I made this post, I could have added DEF to my truck. Seriously.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 7,302
Likes: 1,153
From: Edmonton Alberta
I've been reading this thread and wondering why the owners getting low on DEF just don't add DEF? Why go to a dealer to let them add it? why worry about when you are going to run out? A 800 or 500 miles to go message or any of that?
I pick it up almost any where they sell fuel, auto parts, farm store, etc. Is it not available to purchase in a 2.5 gal jug or do you just not want to mess with it? If really is not a big deal. I wouldn't want to get that low in any tank as there is always contaminants floating in ANY tank, keeping it full and not sucking in air or crap just makes me feel like I'm doing my part. I'd just add some DEF and not spent so much time worrying about it. In the time I made this post, I could have added DEF to my truck. Seriously.
I pick it up almost any where they sell fuel, auto parts, farm store, etc. Is it not available to purchase in a 2.5 gal jug or do you just not want to mess with it? If really is not a big deal. I wouldn't want to get that low in any tank as there is always contaminants floating in ANY tank, keeping it full and not sucking in air or crap just makes me feel like I'm doing my part. I'd just add some DEF and not spent so much time worrying about it. In the time I made this post, I could have added DEF to my truck. Seriously.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
I bought and used ONE $12 (IIRC) 2.5 gallon bottle and that was enough of the dark ages for me....
I never pay attention to it anymore -
now whenever I happen to run by a Flying J or Pilot, I just use their def pumps for $2.79 per gallon...
(they have a phone app for it that can tell you where the closest one is...Pilot Flying J) so no worries
I never pay attention to it anymore -
now whenever I happen to run by a Flying J or Pilot, I just use their def pumps for $2.79 per gallon...
(they have a phone app for it that can tell you where the closest one is...Pilot Flying J) so no worries
i was searching endlessly for a DEF pump around me and nothing was pulling up worthy enough for a quick find.
i saw this post and downloaded the app on my phone and wala. it tells me there is a DEF pump 20 miles away which i can stop by when i go to the race track. thanks.