Normal/Unloaded DEF usage
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 78
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From: Lancaster, CA
Normal/Unloaded DEF usage
I've posted a couple thread on here about how often my truck regens (average about 100 miles unloaded if I'm only commuting to/from work, much less if I'm using her around town, "normal" if I'm towing). The people I've contacted with similar issues who had their PCM's flashed said that their DEF use went way up after the flash.
My question is, "what is normal DEF use if you are running unloaded?" In the first 10,000 miles I put on the truck, about 40% of that was towing and I used about 7.5 gallons of DEF (about what I would think was normal). In the last 4,000 miles, I've only towed about 500 miles, and I've used less than 1/2 tank of DEF. I would think by NOW it would telling me I was at 1/2-tank...
How often do most of you add DEF if you are not towing regularly? I'm thinking my truck may be injecting less than normal urea, possibly causing more frequent regens. Ford ran a diagnostic on the truck, but said if was fine. Others w/ similar build dates as my truck seem to have similar quirks.
Thanks!
My question is, "what is normal DEF use if you are running unloaded?" In the first 10,000 miles I put on the truck, about 40% of that was towing and I used about 7.5 gallons of DEF (about what I would think was normal). In the last 4,000 miles, I've only towed about 500 miles, and I've used less than 1/2 tank of DEF. I would think by NOW it would telling me I was at 1/2-tank...
How often do most of you add DEF if you are not towing regularly? I'm thinking my truck may be injecting less than normal urea, possibly causing more frequent regens. Ford ran a diagnostic on the truck, but said if was fine. Others w/ similar build dates as my truck seem to have similar quirks.
Thanks!
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 10,107
Likes: 96
From: Hempstead, TX
At this point, I've never towed with my truck. I get a regen about every 500 miles and with 4,200 miles on the odometer, I finally show "under half" on the DEF. My typical commute is 27 miles each way for work, with 95% of that on highways and 15.5 to 17 mpg Diesel. I haven't yet topped of the DEF to know an exact quantity used though. Good luck with resolving your issue.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
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I have kept track of usage since I got the truck. I see about 1200 to 1500 miles a gallon normal usage, and about 700-800 towing (pulling 10K boat, getting about 10.5 mpg).
My overall usage for 26000 miles is 1100 miles per gallon.
Regarding your question about Regen, my 2012 regens about every 300 miles in normal use, and goes about 500-600 miles towing.
My EGT normally runs in the 500-600 range, towing it is in the 800 range.
My overall usage for 26000 miles is 1100 miles per gallon.
Regarding your question about Regen, my 2012 regens about every 300 miles in normal use, and goes about 500-600 miles towing.
My EGT normally runs in the 500-600 range, towing it is in the 800 range.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Waco, Tx
I think this is the first time I've heard anyone worrying about not using enough DEF... 
DEF usage is a non-issue for me, when I see the less than 1/2 warning I stop by the dealer and buy another jug. Regens are also a non-issue, I couldn't begin to tell you when or even if my truck goes into regen. Bottom line, my truck starts, runs, gets acceptable fuel mileage, has plenty of towing power and gets me from point A to point B and back. Surprisingly, that's what I bought it to do.
DEF usage is a non-issue for me, when I see the less than 1/2 warning I stop by the dealer and buy another jug. Regens are also a non-issue, I couldn't begin to tell you when or even if my truck goes into regen. Bottom line, my truck starts, runs, gets acceptable fuel mileage, has plenty of towing power and gets me from point A to point B and back. Surprisingly, that's what I bought it to do.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon, SK, CA
It changes significantly depending on driving style (towing or not) and certainly changed in the winter when frozen before I deleted. I found DEF usage a non-issue except when towing and then I had to carry extra with me or keep on top of it as I burned through a lot (no longer worry about it!) The diesel supplement suggests some fairly wide ranges and of course this assumes the DEF tank isn't frozen.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 443
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I saw a calculator on a DEF bulk supplier web site that uses as a default 3% DEF usage to fuel usage, i.e. 3% of your gallons burned should be your DEF burned.
I calculated mine on that basis, and I am 1.3% over 26,000 miles. So the 3% would seem to be quite high, this may be because they are thinking about over the road heavy trucks.
I calculated mine on that basis, and I am 1.3% over 26,000 miles. So the 3% would seem to be quite high, this may be because they are thinking about over the road heavy trucks.
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Lancaster, CA
I've read the manual, and I'm not necessarily "worried" about not using enough DEF (I live in the Mojave desert, so freezing also isn't an issue). I just want to get this stupid regen issue resolved. Dealer says nothing is wrong after taking a look, but averaging 100 (highway) miles in between is getting annoying, especially if I want to let it finish and I have to add 10 miles to my commute to/from work every other day (30 hwy mile commute). The 100-miles to next regen (post completed cycle) has only been since October. Last summer it was about 60, but I wasn't keeping detailed records yet.
The DEF concern is just b/c some who have had their similar regen issues fixed via a PCM flash mentioned that their DEF use has also gone way up. Just trying to figure out the "normal" range unloaded.
Still happy with the truck, just trying to get rid of the only thing that REALLY annoys me about it.
The DEF concern is just b/c some who have had their similar regen issues fixed via a PCM flash mentioned that their DEF use has also gone way up. Just trying to figure out the "normal" range unloaded.
Still happy with the truck, just trying to get rid of the only thing that REALLY annoys me about it.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2012
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I'd gladly pay for more DEF if I could get back to where I was prior to the reflash. Like the big Class 8 trucks, I believe that more regens equates to requiring DPF ash removal sooner than later.
Last edited by Romeo Scorpion; Mar 16, 2014 at 07:38 PM. Reason: Spelling
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Lancaster, CA
I'm sure it is... But I'm pretty light on the throttle. Less soot produced, but lower EGT's.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 596
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From: Watson
So, oil change to oil change on a DEF tank. HTH
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
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I too am in the camp of def usage is a non-issue 
Maybe my life has enough drama in it such that it's not high on the priority list ?
In the two def trucks I've had I used a 2.5 gallon bottle ONCE and thought this is archaic !!!
ever since then I just fill up the def whenever I happen to pass by a bulk def dispensing station - at $2.79/gal and the convenience at the pump with my Good Sam-PilotJ rv card it's swipe, fill, and go..
Now, if they put a gauge on the tank, I would fill it a LOT less, but as is with guessing, I do it maybe once every 2 months...
If I had to guess (and it would be guess!) I've seen the regen message three times in both my trucks !
Maybe my life has enough drama in it such that it's not high on the priority list ?
In the two def trucks I've had I used a 2.5 gallon bottle ONCE and thought this is archaic !!!
ever since then I just fill up the def whenever I happen to pass by a bulk def dispensing station - at $2.79/gal and the convenience at the pump with my Good Sam-PilotJ rv card it's swipe, fill, and go..
Now, if they put a gauge on the tank, I would fill it a LOT less, but as is with guessing, I do it maybe once every 2 months...
If I had to guess (and it would be guess!) I've seen the regen message three times in both my trucks !
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, CA
I too am in the camp of def usage is a non-issue Maybe my life has enough drama in it such that it's not high on the priority list ? In the two def trucks I've had I used a 2.5 gallon bottle ONCE and thought this is archaic !!! ever since then I just fill up the def whenever I happen to pass by a bulk def dispensing station - at $2.79/gal and the convenience at the pump with my Good Sam-PilotJ rv card it's swipe, fill, and go.. Now, if they put a gauge on the tank, I would fill it a LOT less, but as is with guessing, I do it maybe once every 2 months... If I had to guess (and it would be guess!) I've seen the regen message three times in both my trucks !
Maybe my life has enough drama in it such that it's not high on the priority list ? In the two def trucks I've had I used a 2.5 gallon bottle ONCE and thought this is archaic !!! ever since then I just fill up the def whenever I happen to pass by a bulk def dispensing station - at $2.79/gal and the convenience at the pump with my Good Sam-PilotJ rv card it's swipe, fill, and go.. Now, if they put a gauge on the tank, I would fill it a LOT less, but as is with guessing, I do it maybe once every 2 months... If I had to guess (and it would be guess!) I've seen the regen message three times in both my trucks !
