DEF FLUID -- FORD? or something else
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Western New York
The Ford branded DEF is probably the safest but others are for the most part equally as good. The bulk at the truck stops is most always ok but there have been some reports of contaminated DEF reeking havoc for those who happened to purchase from contaminated supplies. Not very often, but it does happen. Unless someone is running up thousands of miles per month I see little advantage in saving a couple of bucks every thousand or so miles with such a critical expendable item.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 185
The Ford branded DEF is probably the safest but others are for the most part equally as good. The bulk at the truck stops is most always ok but there have been some reports of contaminated DEF reeking havoc for those who happened to purchase from contaminated supplies. Not very often, but it does happen. Unless someone is running up thousands of miles per month I see little advantage in saving a couple of bucks every thousand or so miles with such a critical expendable item.
The only advantage to the Ford is that if the concentration is off and you get a service light Ford might warranty it.
As far as DEF at the pump goes- my nephew is a Peterbilt mechanic. They get trucks in quite often that have gotten bad DEF from Flying J/Pilot truck stops so I would avoid them like the plague. I usually carry 5 gals of diesel and a jug of DEF with me when I travel
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Senior User
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From: Potsdam, NY
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2016
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BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU GET DEF! A few of our larger trucks have spent thousands of dollars and many days in the repair shop over buying DEF at the pumps at different truckstops that somehow got contaminated. I now buy bulk in the tote (325 gallon) at a cost of $1.32/gallon to be safe of what we put in our trucks, make the guys fill the DEF at our yard just for this reason. I realize this huge quantity doesn't make sense for the average person but you are better off buying it sealed in a jug whether it be from Walmart or wherever you prefer over filling up at random truckstops where contamination chances are MUCH higher. You may never have a problem but its happened to me twice in the last 12 months with 2016 & 2017 trucks that were getting DEF at truckstops. The issues the contaminated DEF causes are not under warranty so be extra careful. A close friend had issues with his cummins engine after buying DEF at the pump from a truckstop and the shop tested the DEF and it actually had gasoline in it so BEWARE!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
From: Potsdam, NY
BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU GET DEF! A few of our larger trucks have spent thousands of dollars and many days in the repair shop over buying DEF at the pumps at different truckstops that somehow got contaminated. I now buy bulk in the tote (325 gallon) at a cost of $1.32/gallon to be safe of what we put in our trucks, make the guys fill the DEF at our yard just for this reason. I realize this huge quantity doesn't make sense for the average person but you are better off buying it sealed in a jug whether it be from Walmart or wherever you prefer over filling up at random truckstops where contamination chances are MUCH higher. You may never have a problem but its happened to me twice in the last 12 months with 2016 & 2017 trucks that were getting DEF at truckstops. The issues the contaminated DEF causes are not under warranty so be extra careful. A close friend had issues with his cummins engine after buying DEF at the pump from a truckstop and the shop tested the DEF and it actually had gasoline in it so BEWARE!
There ya go. Gasoline if it made it in the system like the diesel on that flamethrower truck could be a very explosive situation!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
DEF is injected into the exhaust stream when temps get very high but it is not consumed when driving around town so the how far can I go on a fill-up is relative. When I'm towing hard, I can get 4-5,000 miles out of 5 gallons. Just poking around town or empty highway I go 7,500 miles. With the new 7.5 gallon tank we can get 50% greater range. In the 2011, the truck actively warned when you had 800 miles left and counted down until refilled. I've heard the 2017s provide that and more information.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,225
Likes: 63
Since Ford does not manufacture DEF, no.
DEF use really isn't that much of a bother doing 12-15K a year. I usually get the Blue DEF stuff, wally world or Home Depot.