I know that those of you that have had your trucks for a while aren't as paranoid about this as I am, but I'd really like to know how much DEF is in the tank. Merely knowing that I have less than 1/2 tank isn't enough to make me feel comfortable. So, I have the idea that a crude dipstick might give me the information I'm looking for.
Here's how I'm envisioning it working:
After you fill the DEF tank, you'd put a dipstick down the filler neck until it bottoms out. Once you withdraw the dipstick, you'd be able to see how far up the dipstick the DEF was, so you'd have an idea what "Full" looks like. From that, you'd be able to divide the portion of the dipstick that had been submerged into 1/5 increments, and roughly know how many gallons of DEF you have in the tank. It wouldn't be a digital reading, but would give you a rough idea of your DEF level.
There's something I still need to find an answer for, though:
What material should be dipstick be made of to keep the DEF from being contaminated, and also not have the dipstick affected by being in contact with DEF. It might now matter either way, but knowing in advance would be better than messing up the DEF in the tank.
Whadda ya think?

 

when it says under 1/2 i dump some in and never have to worry about it
i dont know what materiasl might react to the def

 

Well the tank is plastic. Just put some def in a bottle with a sample of dipstick leave it in it ovrrnight then look at it. You will know.

 

Not too concerned with how much is in the tank. I've always got a 2.5 gal jug with me in the toolbox. As far as your dipstick solution, I would think it would be difficult to see the level on either a steel or plastic stick. When we check fuel levels in old tractors(prior to fuel gauges) we use a clean dowel rod( or broom stick handle).

 

I don't have answers to your question but....You know that DEF is sold in almost every auto parts store, gas station, truck stop, walmarts etc. plenty of idiot lights before going dry. when you get the half empty light you have several thousand miles to find some....

 

Of all the things in life to worry about, running out of DEF is not one of my worries. Carry an extra gallon in the truck if this is killing you.

 

I agree with the others that are saying it's not worth worrying about. Picture if you had a large enough fuel tank on your truck to run 5000, 7000, maybe even closer to 10,000 miles before you had to fill it up, and that tank would tell you when you where half full and then when you got lower started counting down the miles left and gave you a warning everytime you started the truck. Would you make a dipstick still... I have got down to something like 200 miles left before empty, there is no way you are going to forget.

 

I don't know if it would work or not with a plastic tank, but you might be able to feel with you hand on the tank a difference in temperature from where there is air on the inside, and DEF. If this works, certain times of the year might make it easier to harder to tell the level also.

 

Also if someone has an infrared laser thermometer, and could check to see if it could measure a temperature change, that might work. It would also give you an excuse to buy a new tool if it worked.

 

While you are at it, make a gauge for your windshield washer fluid.

If you get down to the 800 miles to empty, The nag screen that pops up every time you start the truck will drive you crazy.

I don't know how many miles you put on your truck each month. But 800 miles for most folks is a week or two of driving to remember to stop by one of the many places that sell DEF.

Personally I check my gauge once a week. If it shows me below half, I drive a few more days and then buy a 2.5 gallon jug. Its just not a big deal. Other things to worry about in life.

 

Or....Delete it and never have to worry about it!!

 

Thanks for all the sarcasm. ☺
Perhaps I'm in a unique situation, all my oil changes and fluids are paid for by the dealership, so spending money to carry a jug of DEF doesn't make sense to me. I periodically drive straight through from San Diego to Seattle, 1250 miles. I was trying to determine if I had enough DEF in the tank before I left to not have to worry about stopping in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the night, to find DEF.

 

The chances of you contaminating your DEF and causing a problem far outweigh the chances of your running out.

A jug is under $12 at Walmart. If you are over 1/2 tank (it says Full) then don't worry about it. If its under and you are going on a long trip buy one and either fill it up before you go or take it with you. Its like buying fuel before a long trip. Do you leave with half a tank or do you fill it before you even start?

Seriously, don't get too spooled up about this one. This wasn't an issue even when these engines first came out and you got the blank stare when you into a shop and asked where the DEF was.

 

According to Pilot & Flying J website, every single pilot or flying j has def available in 2.5 gallon jugs, many of them have def available at the pump now, on a trip that far if you want to save the few bucks it cost to fill up the def at the pump I guess you could just pump a gallon for a whole $2.80ish, on a trip that long I am sure you could find a def at the pump location.

Pilot Flying J link for DEF at pump locations

 

Even then I'm sure you will be fine. even if you get the half full message during your trip, you still have enough def to make a round trip. I get to around half full every 3500 miles (no towing). if you let it get really low, you will get the 800 miles warning. Plenty of range to find some def (which you can fine everywhere now) some place not in the middle of no where during the day time. If you still need some peace of mind, request that your dealership pay for some extra def so you can keep it with you.