Buying DEF in diesel lanes at Pilot/Flying J

DEF sold at the pump is perfectly fine, and usually far less expensive than buying it pre-packaged. WalMart is - generally - one of the less expensive places to buy it, and it's still over $10 for 2.5 gallons. At the pump it's usually well under $3 gallon.

At one point we bought two of the containers from WalMart, and we refill them at truck stops as needed. That way we never risk running out even when many miles from a source.

The only issue that you might encounter is the need for a magnet to allow full flow at the pump. Some truck stops are equipped with dispensing handles with a safety interlock in the nozzle of the DEF pump - and some trucks have a magnet which encircles the inside of the hose inlet. If you find that you try to dispense DEF and it shuts off quickly (like a normal gas pump which shuts off when your tank is full), head to the desk and ask if they have a magnet you can borrow or buy. They will know what you mean. You first insert the nozzle through the magnet and then into the inlet on your truck.

I'd buy one and keep it in your truck. Not all truck stops use pumps that need a magnet, so you may or may not run into this. I know that some Loves locations such as Kingman, AZ need the magnet.

The biggest issue is that the DEF is on the driver side pump and most RV DEF tanks are on the passenger side. I would not recommend driving through against the traffic flow to get DEF. Carrying a 3 gallon gas can that you can fill while fueling and then poor in at your leisure once of the fuel rack seems like a good solution. :) :)

How much of a problem is it to stop at Wal-Mart several times a year ? I pour in their lot and put the jug in their dumpster !

wanderingbob wrote:
How much of a problem is it to stop at Wal-Mart several times a year ? I pour in their lot and put the jug in their dumpster !

Makes sense to me. Only talking about a little extra money. I saw a Wal-Mart branded jug of DEF in the automotive section the other day. A buck or two less.

I avoid truck stops, but this trip to Florida I did stop at a Flying J for diesel. I pulled into the truck lane (which I normally do not do). I saw the pump with both diesel and DEF and absolutely did not know what to do. I did not need DEF, but if both fluids come out the same hose .... FORGET IT. I'm not risking a $54,000 vehicle by getting a mix of diesel and DEF in either tank. It just made no sense to me.

I walked over to the auto islands and found auto diesel. I pulled on through the pumps then and went to the auto diesel pump and filled. I'll continue getting my DEF from Wall Mart. I carry an extra full container in my truck most of the time, and especially when traveling.

Sorry, I still despise truck stops.

Oh... and at this same stop,.... sure enough ... when pumping fuel ... a vagabond came over to me begging for money! I was so danged mad I exploded on the guy! Just reinforces my disdain for truck stops.

Dutchmen,
Both fluids do NOT come out of the same hose. There is a hose for the diesel and as separate hose in a different compartment for the DEF. So far I haven't had any issues with pulling through the pumps opposite to the normal traffic flow. I wait until there is a lane open and then get diesel and DEF this way I do not have the hassle of handling large jugs of DEF and trying to get to my DEF tank.

Thanks for the replies so far. I cannot speak for GM and Ram, but on Ford's, the DEF fill is in same location as the fuel cap, so filling from a DEF fill at a truck stop wouldn't be a issue.

Don't think too that diesel fuel and DEF come out of the same hose. Semi fuel nozzles are large in diameter while the DEF nozzles are just about the same diameter as unleaded ones (at least the one we have for our semis is and from what I've observed on other semis). DEF handle should click off when full just like any petro handle should.

Like the idea of buying 1x a jug someplace and refill at lower price to have w/ you. Never thought of that idea. Just have to be careful when adding not to run it over/fill to full.

We have a VW diesel that has DEF and the fill cap is in trunk. Can go 10k+ miles on a fill up. Dealer used to add as part of oil change, but for whatever reason decided not to as of last oil change. VW sells a DEF bottle that has some kind of shut off mechanism so not overfill tank. Once this bottle is empty, simply cut off a portion of bottle and stick nozzle into tank and pour DEF from another container into it. Sounds like a PITA but may not be too bad once I do it. HOWEVER, the thought of bulk DEF w/ "gas" handle sounds like it would be much easier if it will work for the VW.

Houston we have a problem........

Step 1. Pull into the truck stop to the pump, place the big diesel nozzle into the fill tube and pump fuel.

Step 2. After fueling hang the big nozzle up and reach for the small, skinny , blue nozzle that says DEF on it and fill up the DEF tank.

Step 3. After filling both tanks pull forward get out, walk into the truck stop and pay for you fuel and DEF.

It really is that easy !!

Just an idea regarding filling up a jug (jerry can) with DEF at the pump; Purchase a blue jug (used for water) for your DEF. Then you never have to worry about getting the contents confused with gas or diesel.

DutchmenSport wrote:
I avoid truck stops, but this trip to Florida I did stop at a Flying J for diesel. I pulled into the truck lane (which I normally do not do). I saw the pump with both diesel and DEF and absolutely did not know what to do. I did not need DEF, but if both fluids come out the same hose .... FORGET IT.

They are two separate dispensers. Standard diesel for diesel, and a blue one (usually behind a door) with a much thinner nozzle for DEF. The pump will usually ask if you want Diesel, DEF, or both.