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For those who want a DEF gauge, can you explain why? That's something I've yet to see. Some people just seem to want one, but can there be any explanation for the actual usefulness?
Why would you want a gauge for something that wouldn't perceptibly change? You should be going through a tank about once every oil change. That's it. And it gives you 800 miles worth of heads up. Somewhere over the next 800 miles you probably can run across a little DEF somewhere.
Then why is it in the high ends only if it has "no" use? Read the thread my point is this should be included in all trim levels. Personally I could care less as I get the high end truck anyhow, but I think for contractors and other businesses that have multiple drivers it would come in handy. Yes they all have a warning however unless mine Was broke I always had to check it manually until I got the 250 miles warning. So to me yes it would be and will be nice to have in my next truck.
Not sure about "high ends only" but it's just another gauge spot. Not like they don't tack on useless stuff to increase the "value" of trim levels.
You get a warning at 800 miles to go. And it comes on ever time you get in and starts the truck. Press OK to dismiss or else it stays up the whole time. If you let it go far enough, not only are you pestered about it, but you'll get a dummy light as well.
If you can't trust fleet drivers to see and handle all that appropriately, then you can trust them to pay attention to a gauge that never changes either.
Then why is it in the high ends only if it has "no" use?
Actually that would be the definition of "no use". There isn't a single "useful" feature you can't get on an XL. Everything high end is to make the truck feel or look nicer.
Note that on the Lariat and up models which have the re-configurable gauges, DEF is not there by default...you have to set it.
Also note that the XL models have an all-new message center as well, and the XLT's all come standard with a 4.2" color screen, kind of like the old high-XLT and Lariat-up screen, but this one has been completely updated. I'd venture to guess there is now a way to show "DEF % Remaining" on all the models...which is a better "estimate" than what we have now, but nevertheless, even the "gauge," as I pointed out, will still be just an "estimate."
Yeah the % remaining is going to be a pretty wild guess unless they load up the side of the tank with electrodes and average it out to account for sloshing. And even then, still an estimate
Def % to empty would be the same principle as a fuel gauge and miles to empty its an estimate. That could change based on load and variety of other factors that have to do with your right foot.
I seem to be in the minority around here when I say, the more features and gauges the better... throw in a temp gauge for my spare tire, I'll take it. Lol
Well you have to take everybody with a grain of salt, remember these people that don't want a DEF gauge will buy that monitor screen that goes on there dash like the diesel guys have that shows every temperature, and level of everything they also have differential covers with temperature monitoring and all kinds of crazy stuff that I would never find useful but to me a DEF gauge would be useful so to each his own.
As I've said, I think being able to "check" DEF level is good, but I wouldn't want a full time gauge. Nevertheless, the one gauge I LOVE is the turbo boost gauge. I don't think GM offers this, but it really shows how hard the truck is working.