DEF refill

I agree about the mechanic... and I don't think I'm going to have a problem leaving the same DEF in there for a year!!

(I will, however, check for manufacture dates when I buy the stuff by the container)

You're going to love the way that thing tows...

...no issues with mine, sounds like the salesperson who delivered the message from the mechanic either was misinformed, and if not...then the "mechanic" needs to read up on his profession... ...I haven't towed yet, but will next week and am hoping to get an idea with a 255 mile tow through the mountains of WV, TN, VA and NC...

If you read my post a couple up, you'll get the info on messages one will get..I'd say if you let the SAME DEF sit in your tank for, oh, over a year, you "might" have an issue, but I even doubt that with a shelf life of a year on the container purchases.

2013 CTD - I'm getting around 700 MPG for the DEF while towing. Just added some for the first time last week.

When I got my truck, my salesman relayed a message from the diesel mechanic at the dealership. He cautioned me not to let DEF sit in the tank for very long, and said it crystallizes and causes problems. He suggested running the DEF low - down to a gallon (approx 1/4 tank) remaining before adding more, and then only add a gallon at the time. Has anyone heard anything about this? I can't find any information to substantiate it. Besides, if it gets old, or crystallizes in a short period of time, how can it be sold in containers?

I did, however, notice that when I filled up with DEF (at a truck stop pump), that residue around the pump handle was crystallized. According to this document it has a shelf life of one year. Anyone have problems with their DEF crystalizing?

Rotzilla wrote:
My 13 CTD 2500 made it 2800 miles on 5 gal of DEF so far. Hopefully the range will increase, I am having issues with a nox sensor(on back order), not sure if that is gonna make a differncee or not.

Was your tank full when you took delivery of the truck? My gage showed full, but it wasn't..Again, the gage isn't really accurate. Just to check after 1100 miles, I topped my tank off and it took over 2 gallons, though the gage showed full....I then checked (hand calc) 2700 miles later and got 1350 per gallon...topped off and checked again, last time I got 1190 per gallon...I used the same pump at the same truck stop both times and filled until pump kicked off...cost at the pump last time was $2.75 per gallon.

Haven't towed with mine yet, but have made two checks under normal driving to and from work and trips...first check netted me 1350 per gallon of DEF, second check netted me 1190 per gallon of DEF. Will be towing 5er from WV back to our home in NC Saturday after next and should get an idea of how much I use on a tow trip through the mountains.

On Edit: I got out my 2013 Diesel Supplement and the short version reads like this

DEF Low Refill soon..Message will display accompanied by a chime.

Speed limited to 5 mph in XXX mi Refill DEF, need to add up to 2 gallons to get rid of message and more chiming.

5 MPH Max Speed on Restart, Long Idle or Refuel Refill DEF..This will continuously display when counter reaches zero. Only be able to do 5 MPH if engine is turned off and restarted...Add up to 2.5 gallons to DEF tank to avoid vehicle operation of only 5 MPH and restore vehicle to normal operation.


* Minimum of up to 2.5 gallons, (9.5 liters), maybe required to restore normal vehicle operation. Although the vehicle will start normally and can be placed in gear after the message has been initially displayed, extreme caution should be utilized since the vehicle will only be capable of maneuvering at a max speed of 5 mph.

hope this helped to answer any questions about the Ram's information on DEF

My 13 CTD 2500 made it 2800 miles on 5 gal of DEF so far. Hopefully the range will increase, I am having issues with a nox sensor(on back order), not sure if that is gonna make a differncee or not.

Towing, I get about 4000 miles to 5 gallons in my 2011 chevy.

JustLabs wrote:

nevadanick wrote:
If the tank runs dry on a GM product it will limit you to 5mph. Dont know about the other brands.

That's if you start the truck with the tank dry. If you run out while driving you can continue to drive normally until you shut the engine off.

no, reread your manual

joe b. wrote:
Running a DEF tank dry is not a good thing to do, as mentioned above. I get my first dash message that the tank is getting low at about 900 miles remaining in the tank, then the next message at a bout 500 miles and then one at about 250 miles of DEF remaining. I have never let it get below the last figure. On vacation I carry an extra 2 1/2 gallon jug of the stuff. It is available at most auto stores, the big box stores, and at most dealers (they tend to be the most expensive) Two of the most popular brands I see are put out by Peak and Fleetguard ( a Cummins owned company) and all I have used works fine.

I really like the DEF to cut back on air pollution, as our previous truck was a 2002 Dodge Cummins and it put out a diesel exhaust stink comparable to an old Jimmy 2 stroke diesel. Stop at a stop light in the old Dodge and sometimes the stink of the burned diesel would drift into the cab or into the AC system and it was not pleasant. With the DEF, the inside of my truck exhaust pipe, after 20,000 miles is still as clean looking as it was the day I brought the new truck home. You can stand behind the truck with the engine running and there is zero diesel exhaust smell. To me a cheap price to pay for what the DEF provides.

Your clean tailpipe is a result of the DPF not the DEF which is for NOX emissions. The tailpipe on my 2011 is still spotless and it doesn't have DEF.

nevadanick wrote:
If the tank runs dry on a GM product it will limit you to 5mph. Dont know about the other brands.

That's if you start the truck with the tank dry. If you run out while driving you can continue to drive normally until you shut the engine off.