get the ford fill spout so you don't overfill. It will prevent that.


Let is get down to less than 200 miles to empty.


It is likely confused right now because of how you are doing it.

 

let me add that there is plenty of time and the motor won't derate power wise till you are empty.

 

I understand that, but it's my nature to not like things getting that low. I always fill up at 1/4 tank. Now that's making me nervous because it's less than 200 miles to empty at that point.

I drive 100 miles on a slow day, more on a busy day so 200 miles can be rather quick. I also drive a lot of little 2 lane roads and have had the joy of experiencing those wrecks in front of me where I got to sit and enjoy the scenery for 2 - 3 hours while we waited on things to clear. Being on a countdown in that situation would make me crazy.

But I do plan on getting lower than 200 miles to empty on the DEF this time. I really thought 350 to empty would have been enough. I think I'll shoot for 100 just for grins. And I'm only going to add 1 jug at that point unless I need to attempt to add the whole 5 gallons.

 

when I get down to 200 to empty it will take almost the entire 5 gallons.


What you could do it carry that amount when it gets closer to the mark and then if you need to add on the side of the road you could.

 

I hate to have to clear the warning message when I start the truck. So I never let it get into the countdown, And I don't have any problems.

DEF crystalizes very easily. (Look at the side of your truck after you spill some) I suspect some of the problems is the crystals coating sensor that are above the fluid line or even clogging the filler hose. It's got to be difficult to get accurate readings with a product that crystallizes when ever it hits air.

For me I top off the DEF at the pump when I'm getting fuel if I notice it's under half a tank. Sometimes that is 2 gallons, Sometimes that is 4 gallons. I don't overthink it, It's takes 2-3 minute while I'm already stopped filling the fuel tank to grab the DEF hose and top off the DEF tank.

 

I do the same now at the pump. I quit using the jugs a long time ago after have a few spills on the paint. Def is becoming more easily available, all the major truck stops seem to have it now. My new 2017 has the 7.5 gallon def tank with the in dash gauge.

 

Me too. I didn't have a problem adding the 2.5 gallon jug when it said less than half full until I did. Since then it's been less than cooperative.


Interesting they increased the size of the tank. You have a gauge that kinda shows percentage of full, like a fuel gauge, right? Does it seem to be accurate?

 

As it crystallizes does it re-dissolve as new product hits it? Or is it a constant loosing battle? I friend of mine who is a diesel tech at my local dealership recommended that I use the Ford stuff, because the Walmart stuff crystallizes. Is all def equal.

 

all def is the same, what you need to do is run it down then do a complete fill. That keeps the system from being confused.

 

DEF is DEF is DEF. All DEF will crystalized when allowed to dry. As many jugs of DEF as Wal Mart and Blue DEF have sold over the years, you would think if there was a problem, it would be widely talked about.

Also, you have to remember, Ford does NOT manufacture their DEF. They contract with a company to make the DEF for them and packaged with their Motorcraft label on the jug.

All DEF will be 32.5% urea. There will be slight variations in DEF including Ford/Motorcraft DEF.

 

I wait until it's 50 miles or less to empty, then dump in 2 jugs. It's a minor inconvenience when spread over 5-6k miles. Never spilled a drop.

 

A helpful article:
API | Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
http://www.factsaboutscr.com/def/

 

How many miles on the truck? I take it you've never had a depower event waiting that long?

If it can be off so much in one direction, I'd be scared it could be off the other direction too and suddenly run out of DEF and depower the engine with 100 miles to go. Maybe it only underestimates the amount of fluid in the tank.

 

Also curious about the crystallized DEF. Does it dissolve back when introduced to new fluid, or is this something that will become a problem in the future?

 

It will redissolve.