How big is the tank and is there a gauge showing how much to empty?

 

5 gallons. When there's 500 miles left it will start a count down.

 

Thank you.

 

You can also go into the system check and it will tell you when it is under half way full. That is when I add 2.5 gallons.

 

If my TT can have a gauge to tell me when the black tank is full why can't Ford do the same for the DEF tank?????

 

I agree with you that it should have a gauge. Since it is such a vital fluid for the truck's operation it seems stupid that they only provided idiot lights for it.

 

I can understand your frustration at the lack of a gauge, but due to DEF's ability to freeze, they do not put in floats for the level indication. Instead, they use electrical sensors similar to what is in the tanks of your RV to know if it is full, below half, or almost empty. As previously mentioned, if you aren't showing a countdown to empty, you can look in the information center and see that it is either "ok", or "below half". At 500 miles to empty, it will throw the alert up and start counting down the miles, giving plenty of time to add some. If you are below half, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have a fresh jug on standby - especially if you have been below half for a while. DEF is not nearly as difficult to find these days as it was a few years ago. Almost every station that sells Diesel around here at least has DEF in jugs, as does every auto parts store and Walmart. Most truck stops have DEF at the pump.

Even vehicles that have "gauges" on the dash for the DEF level are just using calculations to estimate the level, based on the same concept of operation of the sensors in the tanks as we have, and those calculated levels have proven to be nowhere near linear - or even accurate. I think Ford just wants us not to obsess about the level of DEF or when are in an active regen on the DPF.

 

Good points Doug.

 

yeh., what difference does 1/2 or 1/3 full mean? if you can't find def in 500 miles (from empty), then you have another problem.

 

The slight problem I have is that when my 500 warning comes on is that my truck takes 2 1/4 gallons of a 2 1/2 gallon jug.

 

that sounds like a different problem. were u able to add only one jug?

when I got the message on vacation, it took a full and about 2 1/4 gals. like you said. I put the rest in the storage bay and dumped it in a week later.

 

I agree Sam. When my 500 miles to empty message came on, I let it get down to 300 or so, then dumped all but a quart of 2 2.5 gallon jugs of Blue DEF in using the Ford nozzle.

 

Thanks guy's I think your right I have a problem!

DUH!! I don't remember ever getting the DEF 1/2 full warning since the Recall. My truck has always taken 2.5 gallons at half full. Yesterday with the 490 miles warning using a Ford nozzle I couldn't get 2.5 gallons in?? I must be doing something wrong or I have a problem. I would think if I had a sensor problem, the truck would throw a code? I think I'm getting too relaxed after owning a 6.4L
I'm leaving in an hour on a weeks camping vacation and will have to keep my eye on it.

 

There's no warning at 1/2 full. You have to actually look for it in the information screen with a few button pushes to get to it. The only warning will be the countdown to empty. starting at 500. You won't necessarily get a code with a bad sensor (if the truck doesn't realize it is bad). Enjoy the camping!

 

Thanks. I think it was Torque Pro that was telling me that I was half full, odd it doesn't explain why I can't get more then 2.5 gallons in a 500 miles?

Been rushing to get the hell out of dodge, I'll be more smarter sitting around the campfire tonight drinking Americian beer LOL.