DEF issue?
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DEF issue?
1650 miles on my 16- F250 and 500 miles to def empty. Pulled into a truck stop and topped off, 1.75 gal. Started tk and got 492 miles to def empty. Drove home and restarted and message gone plus when I scroll to def says good. Is this something I should be concerned about? I have a 1500 mile trip coming net month pulling the boat to Canada and don't want any issues.
I expected to have more miles on the tk before I needed def. I have read on here that if you tow you will use more but I have not really towed with it yet. I thought it was maybe not topped off when I bought it but 1.7 gal seems about rt.
I expected to have more miles on the tk before I needed def. I have read on here that if you tow you will use more but I have not really towed with it yet. I thought it was maybe not topped off when I bought it but 1.7 gal seems about rt.
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I do know that after you've filled up the DEF tank it takes a few moments for it to register the new reading. It is also true that when towing you will use more DEF. I can usually get around 4-5,000 miles per tank when not towing, but only half of that when towing my 43' toyhauler. However, your truck indicating that you had 500 miles till empty, yet it only took 1.7 gallons to refill points to something wrong with the system. The first alert I receive is 800 miles to empty, and when I get that message it always take over at least three gallons to fill the tank. Might be ok, but if it comes up again in just over a thousand miles, it might be time to see the dealer. Maybe someone else here will have a little more insight.
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From: California
As already posted, it take a little time for the message to update after a fill-up.
I've never used the truck stop to fill up on the DEF. I do know that when I get to the 500 miles warning, it takes at least 4 1/2 gallons.
I've never used the truck stop to fill up on the DEF. I do know that when I get to the 500 miles warning, it takes at least 4 1/2 gallons.
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From: BA, OK
I had the 500mi to empty message on my 16 as well right at 1500mi. No other message prior to the 500 to empty. Mine took just under 2.5 gal before it starting spilling out all over the side of the bed.
After posting something similar someone said the dealer didn't top it off. I'm inclined to believe this is true because I tow everyday and have 4000 miles on the truck and DEF level is still good with no warnings.
After posting something similar someone said the dealer didn't top it off. I'm inclined to believe this is true because I tow everyday and have 4000 miles on the truck and DEF level is still good with no warnings.
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[QUOTE=senix;17172900]it probably was not full at the PDI. Now with towing i'd expect at least 4500-5K miles before fillup.
It may not have been filled up at the dealer PDI, but if that was the case I would think it should have taken more than 1.7 gallons to fill, especially if it was telling him he only had 500 miles left.
I have gotten a false DEF distance alert once in my 2011 SD. Only took a gallon, the message didn't reappear, and I never had it happen again in 3 more years of ownership.
It may not have been filled up at the dealer PDI, but if that was the case I would think it should have taken more than 1.7 gallons to fill, especially if it was telling him he only had 500 miles left.
I have gotten a false DEF distance alert once in my 2011 SD. Only took a gallon, the message didn't reappear, and I never had it happen again in 3 more years of ownership.
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Ok talked to the service manager with the diesel tech at his side today and he said to just drive it. It is not a daily driver more a recreational vehicle ti pull the boat so I'm not going to log many miles before my trip to Qc next month. I hope this was a one off issue like some here have experienced. Diesel tech did say he has not had a 15 or 16 in for any wk yet which was good to hear. I'll keep posted if anything comes of it. Thanks for the replies and the wealth of information this foum supplies.
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From: Frederick, MD
Just take a couple of jugs along if going more than 5K miles or you have a couple thousand on the tank before a trip.
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What senix said... Take some extra DEF with you just in case. If the truck isn't sitting level the DEF tank won't fill up correctly. I can't fill up my DEF tank in my driveway, but I can in my garage. My only guess is that a vent line gets blocked?
I've had it take a few drive cycles to clear and around 100 miles before it reset. Which is why I usually like to top off if I catch it at "1/2 full".
I've had it take a few drive cycles to clear and around 100 miles before it reset. Which is why I usually like to top off if I catch it at "1/2 full".
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