I need help!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: eastern washington
I need help!
hi guys. I have a 2017 f350 with about 30,000 miles. Its Father's Day and I'm headed back to my family from Idaho. My low def warning came on so I stopped and put 2 1/2 gallons in. The gauge came up after a while but after a while the warnings still came up and I noticed the gauge dropping. No leaks or holes. Long story short it finally cut me back to 50 mph (even after I filled it full) and now it's saying it will soon go to idle. I have a hundred miles to go. How many miles can I run it?
New User
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
7.4 gallons tank
Not sure exactly why its happening but... 2017 now has a DEF tank capacity of 7.4 instead of 5 gallons so maybe 2.5 gallons refill wasn't enough to get you where you were going.
Last edited by SkidsUP; Jun 18, 2017 at 05:52 PM. Reason: make it more clear
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
Safety first?
hi guys. I have a 2017 f350 with about 30,000 miles. Its Father's Day and I'm headed back to my family from Idaho. My low def warning came on so I stopped and put 2 1/2 gallons in. The gauge came up after a while but after a while the warnings still came up and I noticed the gauge dropping. No leaks or holes. Long story short it finally cut me back to 50 mph (even after I filled it full) and now it's saying it will soon go to idle. I have a hundred miles to go. How many miles can I run it?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 959
Likes: 10
From: Medford, OR
What happened to safety first? THE EPA!
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: eastern washington
Well, I got her home. I tell you what, if my wife had been driving that truck in the winter or in a bad area and gotten stranded like that, someone would be getting their *ss whooped right now! What an absolutely unsafe bullshi* design, to potentially leave someone stranded like that all so some environmentalists wack job can pat himself on the back. I understand the need for clean air but it shouldn't compromise safety. I let the thing sit for an hour and restarted, no go. Filled it completely full (I'd already dumped another 2 1/2 gallons in 100 miles earlier) let it sit for an hour, no go. Was getting back in the truck to call some poor tow truck driver out on Father's Day and started it 1 more time. Gauge bounced around a bit then reset. Ran fine the rest of the way home. Just a heads up, don't let your tanks get down to the warning stage. Oddly enough, it started warning me at just under a quarter tank
FTE Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,337
Likes: 1,050
From: Florida
Exact same thing happened to my friend in their 2016 F-350 DRW. When warning came on they were towing a trailer with 4 horses in it. Gave low DEF warning, he added 2.5 gallons. He was able to get home. A few days later it went into limp mode and he said it took him 30 minutes to get from his house to the neighborhood front gate, a 5 mile trip. He had it towed to dealer and dealer claimed he got bad gas or bad DEF. They sent gas and DEF out to be tested and it came back fine.
He warned me not to let the DEF get to low warning notification. I now display the DEF level screen as the optional display. I added 2.5 gallons and it went from 1/4 to 5/8. 2 days ago I added another 2.5 gallons of DEF and it reads full. I took a 250 mile trip and no problem.
He also recommended I carry a OBDII tool to clear codes.
He warned me not to let the DEF get to low warning notification. I now display the DEF level screen as the optional display. I added 2.5 gallons and it went from 1/4 to 5/8. 2 days ago I added another 2.5 gallons of DEF and it reads full. I took a 250 mile trip and no problem.
He also recommended I carry a OBDII tool to clear codes.
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
I just completed a long tow and got the message twice. Once I ran it down inside of 100 miles and then put two boxes of Blue DEF from O'Reilys. It immediately reset and let me go on my way. The other time I just got DEF at the pump which is 1000 times more convenient. No drama like what you described.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 313
Likes: 5
I just completed a long tow and got the message twice. Once I ran it down inside of 100 miles and then put two boxes of Blue DEF from O'Reilys. It immediately reset and let me go on my way. The other time I just got DEF at the pump which is 1000 times more convenient. No drama like what you described.
Wow I didn't realize they are selling DEF at the pump. Im in SoCal and I have yet to see that. Not a real surprise as they don't like diesel trucks here in Commifornia.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 147
Likes: 19
From: Langley, B.C.
Most of the trucks stops in California have DEF at the pumps. You might have to go to the truck fueling bays though instead of the car bays. I topped up in Indio at the T.A. Travel Center & I believe the Pilot in Corning on the way home. When you prepay, both the diesel and the DEF pumps will work without having to go back inside to prepay again.
Cargo Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,530
Likes: 7
From: Montana
It sounds like you need to almost fill it when the warning comes on. Mine came on for the first time the other day, I put 5 gallons in and took it to between 3/4 and full, I have never had an issue. Totally get the frustration, but when it gets low, id fill it up as close to possible to full. That might have saved you the heart ache.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 959
Likes: 10
From: Medford, OR
Most of the trucks stops in California have DEF at the pumps. You might have to go to the truck fueling bays though instead of the car bays. I topped up in Indio at the T.A. Travel Center & I believe the Pilot in Corning on the way home. When you prepay, both the diesel and the DEF pumps will work without having to go back inside to prepay again.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,424
Likes: 12
From: BC Canada
Exactly, truck stop fueling is the best price. If you can get a fuel card, it's way easier. Easier to get in and out, DEF pumps, high flow pumps, and the price is better than the retail market, the fuel quality is also generally better as they sell high volume.