DEF fluid
Is all DEF fluid the same? I usually buy the Blue DEF but it's now about $20. Our local hardware store has the Blue DEF and another one that is $12.99. I did buy the Blue DEF but just wondered if the cheaper one would be ok.
Forum Discussion
- Tractor Supply brand is usually what I get. No local def pumps.
- My local Walmarts are often out of their brand. Found it a Menards for about the same price. No issues so far.
Grit dog wrote:
Michelle.S wrote:
Or buy the Walmart Brand for $9 to $12 for 2 1/2 Gal. Been using it since 2005 in three different trucks and no issues.
2005? Mmmmkay
Yeah. My 06 Duramax is not a DEF vehicle.- DEF formula is specified in Federal regulations. There is no allowance for any sort of "secret sauce." It is all the same, the only variation being the price they can sucker someone into paying for it. What's more, the only two allowed components are two of the cheapest chemicals known to mankind. Regardless of what you pay for it, somebody somewhere is making a killing.
The only caveat is to make sure that you get an unopened jug of it. There have been reports of cheapskates taking advantage of the return policy of some stores (WallyWorld, I'm looking at you) to return a jug full of tap water for credit. So before you head to the checkout, inspect the safety seal to make sure you get the real stuff. naturist wrote:
DEF formula is specified in Federal regulations. There is no allowance for any sort of "secret sauce." It is all the same, the only variation being the price they can sucker someone into paying for it. What's more, the only two allowed components are two of the cheapest chemicals known to mankind. Regardless of what you pay for it, somebody somewhere is making a killing.
The only caveat is to make sure that you get an unopened jug of it. There have been reports of cheapskates taking advantage of the return policy of some stores (WallyWorld, I'm looking at you) to return a jug full of tap water for credit. So before you head to the checkout, inspect the safety seal to make sure you get the real stuff.
Being somewhat anal about DEF, I have a DEF refractometer and check each jug. It shows the DEF concentration. Of course every jug I have tested has been spot on, but it should catch a jug that had been tampered with that had somehow been sealed up- hmmm I guess this toping that went to 6 pages of nothing in the tow vehicle forum (where it should be, along with the manifold thread) wasn't enough to answer they all have to meet the same minimum standard and all will work properly in your vehicle. No one is going to put extra urea in it as they would be reducing their profit margin and that might be harder on the engine. I would rather have one that has to low of a urea concentration as it would be less corrosive on internal exhaust parts, but sadly there is no difference aside from marketing departments
ktmrfs wrote:
naturist wrote:
DEF formula is specified in Federal regulations. There is no allowance for any sort of "secret sauce." It is all the same, the only variation being the price they can sucker someone into paying for it. What's more, the only two allowed components are two of the cheapest chemicals known to mankind. Regardless of what you pay for it, somebody somewhere is making a killing.
The only caveat is to make sure that you get an unopened jug of it. There have been reports of cheapskates taking advantage of the return policy of some stores (WallyWorld, I'm looking at you) to return a jug full of tap water for credit. So before you head to the checkout, inspect the safety seal to make sure you get the real stuff.
Being somewhat anal about DEF, I have a DEF refractometer and check each jug. It shows the DEF concentration. Of course every jug I have tested has been spot on, but it should catch a jug that had been tampered with that had somehow been sealed up
I actually found a jug that had the inner seal removed at my local Wally World. I dipped a finger in and stood there like a fool for a few minutes to let it dry. Guess what? No white crystal residue on said finger. Took that jug to customer service, 'splained the issue, showed the evidence, and left them to figure out what to do with it. Hopefully saved some poor fool from getting the dread "incorrect fluid" message.- I try to get it at truck stops. Cheaper and easier than handling the jugs. Keep an empty jug or 2 and fill back up at the truck stop so you have extra. I just paid around $4.00/gallon at Petro in central Missouri.
StirCrazy wrote:
hmmm I guess this toping that went to 6 pages of nothing in the tow vehicle forum (where it should be…)
But doesn’t this assume that everyone who has a RV uses it to tow as well??…I very much doubt that that is the case…- Do you think everyone on this forum has a trailer? A great many of us have self propelled RV's (truck campers or motorhomes) therefore in our case there are no "tow vehicles" involved.
