DEF 500mi To Empty?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: BA, OK
DEF 500mi To Empty?
I received the 500 miles to empty message today. I thought it was a bit early for a DEF fill with only 1500 miles on the truck. Thought maybe the factory or the dealer didn't fill it up completely when I bought it.
Grabbed a box I had waiting for the occation and began filling, then just before the box was empty (2.5gal jug) DEF begins running down the side of the truck. Pulled the spout out and sure enough I can see the DEF in fill neck.
Why did I get a warning when the tank was just above half full? Is this normal? Sorry if this is trivial first time diesel owner.
Edit: This was meant for the 6.7l forum can a mod move it?
Grabbed a box I had waiting for the occation and began filling, then just before the box was empty (2.5gal jug) DEF begins running down the side of the truck. Pulled the spout out and sure enough I can see the DEF in fill neck.
Why did I get a warning when the tank was just above half full? Is this normal? Sorry if this is trivial first time diesel owner.
Edit: This was meant for the 6.7l forum can a mod move it?
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,338
Likes: 255
From: Livermore Ca.
The sender may be ok now since the tank wasn't full when you got the truck. You should be ok now with the def tank. Also you need to get the filler hose from the dealer. It is way better than the one that comes with the box. it kind of snaps in the hole so it stays in the hole better.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
Dirthawg
The pickup DEF tank is 5 gallon capacity. The level sensors in the tank are best guess sensors similar to those used on travel trailer holding tanks. Most report that at less than half full is approx 2 gallon. Some run their trucks and let the count down go to 200 mile mark before adding.
I would suggest acquiring a Ford DEF nozzle, p/n PM-27-N. It is usually less than $10 and prevents overflow as you experienced. It fits the DEF snugly and stops when the tank is full. Read about it in your Ford Diesel Supplement Owner's manual.
Here are some listings on eBay for the nozzle. I see one is less than $5 and free shipping. That is a bargain.
PM-27-N | eBay
Randy,
The truck stop is probably a good option for you, but not everyone goes to a truck stop to fuel. The Wal Mart brand is about $3.35 a gallon for the last Wal Mart DEF I bought. Not much higher than the truck stop price and easier to acquire for most owners.
same as you, just my .02 and thoughts on it.
The pickup DEF tank is 5 gallon capacity. The level sensors in the tank are best guess sensors similar to those used on travel trailer holding tanks. Most report that at less than half full is approx 2 gallon. Some run their trucks and let the count down go to 200 mile mark before adding.
I would suggest acquiring a Ford DEF nozzle, p/n PM-27-N. It is usually less than $10 and prevents overflow as you experienced. It fits the DEF snugly and stops when the tank is full. Read about it in your Ford Diesel Supplement Owner's manual.
Here are some listings on eBay for the nozzle. I see one is less than $5 and free shipping. That is a bargain.
PM-27-N | eBay
Randy,
The truck stop is probably a good option for you, but not everyone goes to a truck stop to fuel. The Wal Mart brand is about $3.35 a gallon for the last Wal Mart DEF I bought. Not much higher than the truck stop price and easier to acquire for most owners.
same as you, just my .02 and thoughts on it.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
I usually fill it within a few days of getting the 500mile warning and it never takes the full 2.5 gal. I get the Blue Def for mine at Autozone when it goes on sale.
Blue Def also comes with a long spout and a breather so it works real easy to fill.
Wish we had a Def gage like the Dodge has
Blue Def also comes with a long spout and a breather so it works real easy to fill.
Wish we had a Def gage like the Dodge has
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
From: Binghamton, New York
FWIW buy DEF at a truck stop off the pump if you can.
That stuff does have a shelf life......I got a ride into the KW dealer in Orlando on the hook because of bad DEF.....The entire system had to be taken apart and cleaned on a brand new KW T660 on its 2nd trip..
just wanted to pass that along..
That stuff does have a shelf life......I got a ride into the KW dealer in Orlando on the hook because of bad DEF.....The entire system had to be taken apart and cleaned on a brand new KW T660 on its 2nd trip..
just wanted to pass that along..
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: BA, OK
Thanks for the replies everyone. I will look into that OEM nozzle. And yes, I used a box of blue-DEF I picked up on sale at NAPA for $10. Good to know the truck stops have DEF. Most of my driving is local and the nearest truck stop is 15 miles away for me. 
I'm still a bit confused how I was able to drive the truck 1500 miles and use 2.5 gal of DEF, maybe less if the tank was not topped off, and the only message I received was "500 miles to empty". It could have gone another 1500 miles on that tank so shouldn't I have received a message that the DEF was at the 1/2 way point? Or is the system designed to require filling at the 1/2 way point?
I'm still a bit confused how I was able to drive the truck 1500 miles and use 2.5 gal of DEF, maybe less if the tank was not topped off, and the only message I received was "500 miles to empty". It could have gone another 1500 miles on that tank so shouldn't I have received a message that the DEF was at the 1/2 way point? Or is the system designed to require filling at the 1/2 way point?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
DEF does not have a shelf life per say...I have used DEF that I kept in the truck tool box for over 2 years....The temps have ranges from 10* to over 100* during those 2 plus years...I believe the date on the container is the MFG date.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,769
Likes: 8
From: Lubbock
For me i read alot on it and felt based on cost and the probability of the freshest def i just went to the truck stop. It was out of my way by a few miles and i didnt have to keep any on hand. I can see value if you in a more remote spot though
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 656
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From: Binghamton, New York
I'll let the service dept at Kenworth in Orlando know that they are wrong......Thanks
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Posting Guru
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From: BA, OK
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