Maintenance Time
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Maintenance Time
Last night I changed the oil in my 2016 Ford F250 diesel. After watching many videos so that I would know what to expect I decided to do it myself instead of paying one-hundred and forty dollars to have it done. it was super easy in my opinion, yes you are going to get dirty but who cares. I now want to top off the DEF tank. My question is do you guys buy DEF from a tank or do you buy it in the box? Depending on which answer you choose please state your reasoning, thanks in advance.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: elkmont alabama
at Chevrolet where I used to work DEF came in one gallon jugs and the rule of thumb from GM was that once you open the jug and you do not use all the fluid in it and it is not properly sealed it can not be used again. for the fact that the systems are sensitive to extra moisture and containments like dirt and oil and grease and those can cause problems with the sensors in the system and put someone on the side of the road. DEF is a preset amount of urea and de ionized water. so here is kind of a upside all brands ford and gm and ram and aftermarket DEF has to be the same it should not matter what type of container it comes in as long as after you use it it is stored properly you should be good to go
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Parker, CO
Did the miles to empty warning pop up? If no, your best bet is to not fill the DEF until the truck tells you to. There's threads on this forum of trucks getting "confused" with a full tank of DEF, but it keeps counting down less than 500 miles to empty. Most common cause is "topping off" before the truck tells you to fill. Your manual even advises not to fill the tank until the countdown pop up appears in the driver information display.
As for where to get DEF, any certified DEF that is not expired will be fine.
As for where to get DEF, any certified DEF that is not expired will be fine.
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If you flip through the information section of my trucks computer it says DEF TANK 1/2 empty. However it did not pop up and tell me that I just happen to see it when I went through to reset my oil life meter on the truck.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2015
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So I have always been told that changing your own oil voids the warranty??
Anyway, I have 35k+ and actually let the DEF run down until the warning came up on the dash and put in two boxes (forget how much that is) and it did not fill up the tank. Prior to this I would check the dash readout and when it told me DEF under half full I would add one box worth.
Anyway, I have 35k+ and actually let the DEF run down until the warning came up on the dash and put in two boxes (forget how much that is) and it did not fill up the tank. Prior to this I would check the dash readout and when it told me DEF under half full I would add one box worth.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Parker, CO
There is nothing in Ford's warranty about how doing your own maintenance would void coverage.
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2016
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Just make sure you keep the receipts so you have documentation in case of a warranty claim.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2015
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Everyone from the next door neighbor to the service writers and techs have told me this. I know - - - -consider the source.
Always thought it made sense as I just figured any auto mfg would want independent proof showing this sort of thing was actually done.
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From: Isanti, MN
I have two people I know with engines that failed under warranty. Both did oil changes themselves before the failure. EAch of them were asked to provide receipts for the oil changes over the previous 30,000 miles, and one of them couldn't find her receipts for the oil and filters they purchased. She had to pay for the engine, and the other person got their engine covered under warranty with receipts.
They may ask for proof should it fail, and a simple parts store receipt for the oil and filters will suffice. Ever since those two were asked for receipts I've been saving mine.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2015
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Great info. Wish I had asked that question about 6 oil change$ ago. 
So now that I'm going to start doing this myself I would like to know where you do-it-yourselfers take the old oil for disposal?
And I have read that some send in a sample of old oil for testing to make sure all is good internally. Any info on that?
So now that I'm going to start doing this myself I would like to know where you do-it-yourselfers take the old oil for disposal?
And I have read that some send in a sample of old oil for testing to make sure all is good internally. Any info on that?
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I actually decided to go to Petro Truck Stop in Amarillo, Texas and put in DEF. It cost me 8.50 for three gallons. The Truck stop probably had 100 trucks parked there so I figure they sale a lot of DEF. I bought my oil at the grain coop here in town because I have an account there and I can just charge it to that. It was really nice because they had the oil and the oil filter for my truck all right there. It cost me 74 dollars to change it myself. I used the white jug Rotella T 15-w40 oil since I am gonna change it every five thousand miles.
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From: Isanti, MN
I buy my oil at Wal-Mart, they seem to have the best prices on the large jugs. Rotella T6 is around $20 for a gallon if I remember right. They also stock Motorcraft oil filters, and locations with a tire and lube shop dispose of the used oil for free.
Laughing Gas
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You can buy the oil and filter at Walmart and they will do the change for you using what you give them for about $20.00.
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From: Isanti, MN
I prefer to do things myself because nobody will care more about my truck than I do.
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