Howdy,
I'm the proud owner of a new 2013 F250. I've had the truck for a couple of months and was surprised to get the 500 mile warning on the DEF level after only 1300 miles. I bought a 2.5 gallon jug and the truck took almost all of it, but not quite.

My question...has anybody else needed to fill the DEF with such low mileage? I did tow about 400 of those miles, but still don't think that should have drained the tank that quickly.

Another question...I understand this is a 5 gallon tank, so why would it only take less than 2.5 gallons if I had less than 500 miles to empty?

Other than this issue, I'm loving the truck.

 

My 2011 had the same problem. Apparently they don't fill it all the way at the factory or the dealer. Cost saving??????

 

Dealer should have filled it, but apparently didn't.

 

I had about 2,000 miles on my F350 when the low DEF light came on. I now have about 5,200 and the tank still shows OK I do not believe the Dealer filled mine even though I did ask the Service Writer if it was topped off when I took delivery.

 

Welcome to FTE. I've never had an issue with my DEF levels on my truck, but I've read enough posts from other users here to believe that a lot of others have had some frustrations. There isn't a great level monitoring system for the DEF tank and an improved design is needed. The sensor probably took a reading when the tank was sloshing around, registered low and you happened to see it. When you went to fill it, you realized it wasn't as low as you suspected. The other scenario is guys having a hard time filling the DEF tank completely. I don't recall the details of the situation, but I remember guys having issues getting it full. They filled the tank. Drive the truck and were able to put more in...like an air pocket was preventing the filling or something (again, I'm not really sure).

I've never really had an issue filling mine ever and I've never had a level fault or any problems. My big problem is filling it too much and it goes all over the side of the truck! Then I have to wash it all off. Pretty sure I can't blame that one on the DEF system or it's design. That one is operator error...

 

Same here.Factory didnt fill all the way.I knew of that beforehand ,asked dealer to top it off.Asked the day I picked it up if it was topped off and he said "oh yeah of course".bullsh#%... Took 2.5 gallons after 2000 miles.Havent added any since.Gotta be ford saving money fill just over half so the light doesnt comeon.Jmo..

 

At the best, factory puts in 1/2 tank. and most lazy a$$ dealers dont fill it as it is supposed to be under the PDI inspection.

 

Relieved to know that it's most likely just a dealer error. Thank you all for the responses.

I bought my DEF at Sam's Club, ~$11 for a 2.5 gallon box. That was about the best price I could find. Anyone find a better one?

Savage, I too overfilled the tank and had a nice mess to cleanup on the side of the truck.

 

I just did my first oil change based on the oil life monitor at 7046 miles. I guess my dealer originally topped of the DEF tank, because I had no DEF alarms at all. The info screen showed that the tank was less than half full. During this interval, I had approximately 1000 miles towing a 7000 pound travel trailer.

 

Congrats on the new truck and welcome aboard.

I have found it is easiest for me when I add DEF, to do it when it is nice and quiet outside or do it in the garage, away from noise. You can hear the fill level as it nears the top of the tank. You're not alone on the spill. I bet all of us have had to do the DEF clean-up at least once. At least it's water soluble/based. Wait until you spill some fuel additive on your hands or truck. That stuff wreaks, and if you don't clean it off right away it gets kinda like honey. At least the Power Service brand does.

Good luck.

 

UH HUH? The PDI specifically says "DO NOT TOP OFF THE DEF TANK". Where do you get the information from?

 

That was the words straight from service manager.so I guess he does not know either.

 

Makes sense to me fill the fuel tank. But to hell with Def.

 

Tell him to download the PDI sheet for that model from FMCdealer. It says very plainly.

 

We're told the tanks are filled from the factory, no top off is necessary.