Another DEF issue
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 474
Likes: 45
From: Berryville, AR
Hey guys. Sorry for not replying. I've been real busy ever since I posted this thread.
Curtis, I don't top off the tank. When I see that it is below the half way mark, I figure it can hold a 2 1/2 gallon container and fill it up. I had done that about 3 weeks ago. When I got the 500 mile message, I was surprised because I was pretty sure I still had a bunch in the tank.
Crystal, I cranked the truck the next morning and the message was still there. An hour or so later, when I was ready to back up to the 5th wheel and hook up, I cranked it up and the message was still there. Some time in the next 10 minutes, while I finished getting ready to hit the road, the message went away. I had no issues during my roughly 265 mile trip and the truck ran beautifully, as usual. The Ford dealer in Berryville, Arkansas will be my new Ford home. I hope they have a good diesel mechanic! Do you think is is worth having the dealer check it out? Without the code active, it will probably be hard to troubleshoot.
Rob, I guess mine did the same as yours except instead of traveling, mine was idling while I finished preparing to leave.
Rich53, nope, not frozen, but close to freezing temps.
Thanks for all the replies, y'all!
Curtis, I don't top off the tank. When I see that it is below the half way mark, I figure it can hold a 2 1/2 gallon container and fill it up. I had done that about 3 weeks ago. When I got the 500 mile message, I was surprised because I was pretty sure I still had a bunch in the tank.
Crystal, I cranked the truck the next morning and the message was still there. An hour or so later, when I was ready to back up to the 5th wheel and hook up, I cranked it up and the message was still there. Some time in the next 10 minutes, while I finished getting ready to hit the road, the message went away. I had no issues during my roughly 265 mile trip and the truck ran beautifully, as usual. The Ford dealer in Berryville, Arkansas will be my new Ford home. I hope they have a good diesel mechanic! Do you think is is worth having the dealer check it out? Without the code active, it will probably be hard to troubleshoot.
Rob, I guess mine did the same as yours except instead of traveling, mine was idling while I finished preparing to leave.
Rich53, nope, not frozen, but close to freezing temps.
Thanks for all the replies, y'all!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
Curtis, I don't top off the tank. When I see that it is below the half way mark, I figure it can hold a 2 1/2 gallon container and fill it up. I had done that about 3 weeks ago. When I got the 500 mile message, I was surprised because I was pretty sure I still had a bunch in the tank.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Alton
I have to be honest and say that I have not read the manual for my 2012 F250 regarding DEF fluid refilling but I too have noticed some odd behaviour.
I have the FMPP (Ford prepaid maintenance plan) on my truck which includes a free DEF refill with each oil change which are scheduled every 8,000 kms (approximately 5,000 miles) in Canada. I never have any problem going the 8,000 kms if I am not doing much towing but in the spring to fall seasons I probably tow seven to eight tons about fifty percent of the time. I can't go to the dealer just for DEF - it has to be refilled as part of a scheduled oil change so I keep a couple of jugs at home so I can top it off if I get caught short.
Not wanting to supply any more DEF than necessary, when I get the 1,300 kms to empty warning I would determine if I was going to get an oil change in the next 1,300 kms and if not then I tried pouring just a little bit of DEF in. Just like others have reported, often the message would not reset and would continue to count down to empty. The only way I seemed to be able to get the message to go away was if I poured an entire 2.5 gallon DEF bottle into my tank. Even doing this it would sometimes take a little bit of driving and some time before the DTE message would go away.
Not having read the manual and not wanting to pay for any more DEF than I have to I decided to try another strategy. Rather than wait for the DTE message to appear, if I have been doing a lot of towing I will add a quart or two before the DTE message appears and that is usually enough to get me to my next oil change. It seems to me that as long as you don't get the DTE message you can just add small amounts of DEF and not get the countdown. At least it has worked for me for the past twelve months or so.
My 2015 is supposed to arrive at the end of the month so I will definitely read the manual for it and see what Ford's recommendations are re DEF refilling although I intend to purchase the maintenance plan for the new truck too.
Regards,
Lauren
I have the FMPP (Ford prepaid maintenance plan) on my truck which includes a free DEF refill with each oil change which are scheduled every 8,000 kms (approximately 5,000 miles) in Canada. I never have any problem going the 8,000 kms if I am not doing much towing but in the spring to fall seasons I probably tow seven to eight tons about fifty percent of the time. I can't go to the dealer just for DEF - it has to be refilled as part of a scheduled oil change so I keep a couple of jugs at home so I can top it off if I get caught short.
Not wanting to supply any more DEF than necessary, when I get the 1,300 kms to empty warning I would determine if I was going to get an oil change in the next 1,300 kms and if not then I tried pouring just a little bit of DEF in. Just like others have reported, often the message would not reset and would continue to count down to empty. The only way I seemed to be able to get the message to go away was if I poured an entire 2.5 gallon DEF bottle into my tank. Even doing this it would sometimes take a little bit of driving and some time before the DTE message would go away.
Not having read the manual and not wanting to pay for any more DEF than I have to I decided to try another strategy. Rather than wait for the DTE message to appear, if I have been doing a lot of towing I will add a quart or two before the DTE message appears and that is usually enough to get me to my next oil change. It seems to me that as long as you don't get the DTE message you can just add small amounts of DEF and not get the countdown. At least it has worked for me for the past twelve months or so.
My 2015 is supposed to arrive at the end of the month so I will definitely read the manual for it and see what Ford's recommendations are re DEF refilling although I intend to purchase the maintenance plan for the new truck too.
Regards,
Lauren
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 26
From: Middle Tn.
I have to be honest and say that I have not read the manual for my 2012 F250 regarding DEF fluid refilling but I too have noticed some odd behaviour.
I have the FMPP (Ford prepaid maintenance plan) on my truck which includes a free DEF refill with each oil change which are scheduled every 8,000 kms (approximately 5,000 miles) in Canada. I never have any problem going the 8,000 kms if I am not doing much towing but in the spring to fall seasons I probably tow seven to eight tons about fifty percent of the time. I can't go to the dealer just for DEF - it has to be refilled as part of a scheduled oil change so I keep a couple of jugs at home so I can top it off if I get caught short.
Not wanting to supply any more DEF than necessary, when I get the 1,300 kms to empty warning I would determine if I was going to get an oil change in the next 1,300 kms and if not then I tried pouring just a little bit of DEF in. Just like others have reported, often the message would not reset and would continue to count down to empty. The only way I seemed to be able to get the message to go away was if I poured an entire 2.5 gallon DEF bottle into my tank. Even doing this it would sometimes take a little bit of driving and some time before the DTE message would go away.
Not having read the manual and not wanting to pay for any more DEF than I have to I decided to try another strategy. Rather than wait for the DTE message to appear, if I have been doing a lot of towing I will add a quart or two before the DTE message appears and that is usually enough to get me to my next oil change. It seems to me that as long as you don't get the DTE message you can just add small amounts of DEF and not get the countdown. At least it has worked for me for the past twelve months or so.
My 2015 is supposed to arrive at the end of the month so I will definitely read the manual for it and see what Ford's recommendations are re DEF refilling although I intend to purchase the maintenance plan for the new truck too.
Regards,
Lauren
I have the FMPP (Ford prepaid maintenance plan) on my truck which includes a free DEF refill with each oil change which are scheduled every 8,000 kms (approximately 5,000 miles) in Canada. I never have any problem going the 8,000 kms if I am not doing much towing but in the spring to fall seasons I probably tow seven to eight tons about fifty percent of the time. I can't go to the dealer just for DEF - it has to be refilled as part of a scheduled oil change so I keep a couple of jugs at home so I can top it off if I get caught short.
Not wanting to supply any more DEF than necessary, when I get the 1,300 kms to empty warning I would determine if I was going to get an oil change in the next 1,300 kms and if not then I tried pouring just a little bit of DEF in. Just like others have reported, often the message would not reset and would continue to count down to empty. The only way I seemed to be able to get the message to go away was if I poured an entire 2.5 gallon DEF bottle into my tank. Even doing this it would sometimes take a little bit of driving and some time before the DTE message would go away.
Not having read the manual and not wanting to pay for any more DEF than I have to I decided to try another strategy. Rather than wait for the DTE message to appear, if I have been doing a lot of towing I will add a quart or two before the DTE message appears and that is usually enough to get me to my next oil change. It seems to me that as long as you don't get the DTE message you can just add small amounts of DEF and not get the countdown. At least it has worked for me for the past twelve months or so.
My 2015 is supposed to arrive at the end of the month so I will definitely read the manual for it and see what Ford's recommendations are re DEF refilling although I intend to purchase the maintenance plan for the new truck too.
Regards,
Lauren
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 484
Likes: 6
From: Alberta
you guys don't read the manual! Before anyone gets my keys they are required to study the manual, write and pass a written exam with an 85% pass grade, and do a walk around demonstration of what they have learned.
My wife hates me
My wife hates me
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Tuned
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 474
Likes: 45
From: Berryville, AR
Ha! Ha! Now, that's funny! I guess we all really should read our manuals!
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