Outstanding DEF Mileage

[Walaby]

Just got back from 1100 mile (including local commuting) round trip from Middle Georgia to Sarasota Florida. First lengthy trip with my new (to me) 2014 Ram 2500 CTD, and my new 2016 Prime Time Lacrosse.

Diesel mileage was decent enough. Towing was 11.5 MPG. Haven't computed my overall trip mileage (towing and commuting). Im happy with 11.5 as around town commuting I get right around 13.

What really impressed me was the DEF mileage. I topped the DEF tank off before I left. Added 2.5 gal. Now, admittedly, the gauge was over full, but upon return from the 1100 mile trip, the gauge is at 7/8ths full! I figure I used a quarter tank of it, in reality, which is pretty dang good. 5 fill ups total, and it used less than when commuting around town. I thought towing I'd use more DEF, but apparently not.

I think I got some of that US Buffalo urine DEF instead of that Chinese mouse urine. I did buy it from Walmart tho.

Pretty happy with truck performance.

Mike

[tinner12002]

A lot depends on how heavy your RV is as to how much DEF it uses.

[aruba5er]

chev 2500HD doesn't have a guage so you get a dic readout then you fill it. No big deal. It is so unreiable, one start and it says 630 miles and the next time it's 1200 miles. the first time it goes off I start looking for DEF. I get it locally for $1.79 bulk and I figure it's fresh as all the truckers now need it

[Walaby]

wanderingbob wrote:
My Ram CTD sez 15,000 mile oil change ? I think that I get about 3,000 miles on 2 1/2 gals DEF !

My owners manual says under no circumstances exceed 10000 miles but to follow the gauge otherwise.

Mike

[Redterpos3]

wanderingbob wrote:
My Ram CTD sez 15,000 mile oil change ? I think that I get about 3,000 miles on 2 1/2 gals DEF !

x2 for my 2016 F-350. Just put in my 2nd 2.5 gal, and am 5500 miles about 1/2 of that was towing down to florida. Longer running will tell better. My mileage is around 11-13 towing 16-17 not towing.

[wanderingbob]

My Ram CTD sez 15,000 mile oil change ? I think that I get about 3,000 miles on 2 1/2 gals DEF !

[Slownsy]

2015 F350 over 6000 miles so far stil on what it was delivered with.
Frank.

[Searching_Ut]

mich800 wrote:
I think you will find most of the mfg's are going with DEF tanks that get you to the range of an average oil change give or take.

So far my 2015 Ram has gone through approximately 7 gallons in the first 5200 miles. The tank only holds 5 and a half gallons. Based on the EVIC's current estimation of oil life I'll go through more than two tanks before it's due and oil change. That said, the DEF consumption really seems to vary based on how hard you're pulling so that will most likely make a huge difference in consumption, pretty much in line with gas mileage.

[Walaby]

mich800 wrote:
I think you will find most of the mfg's are going with DEF tanks that get you to the range of an average oil change give or take.

I don't think I could get the range of an oil change. Not even close.
Manual says 10K inteval for my CTD. No way I would get that mileage out of the DEF.

Mike

[mich800]

I think you will find most of the mfg's are going with DEF tanks that get you to the range of an average oil change give or take.

[Walaby]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Unless you fill the tank to the top then later do the same and figure usage per gallon you really have no idea if your usage is good or bad.

Glad you like your truck! 11.5 is great mileage even with a lighter 5er.

That's true, I don't know if it is good or bad, other than comparing to the gauge when driving local. I just expected to use more than I think I did.

Yup, love the mileage. Mines not a 5er but I gotta say, it pulled so well that there are times when you don't even notice it back there.

I still think the concentration mixed with US Buffalo urine is better than the chinese mouse (grin).

Mike

[Cummins12V98]

Unless you fill the tank to the top then later do the same and figure usage per gallon you really have no idea if your usage is good or bad.

Glad you like your truck! 11.5 is great mileage even with a lighter 5er.

[Sport45]

Walaby wrote:
As far as the "exact number", I came up with 7/8 as the gauge is between 3/4 and full.

I wouldn't trust the gauge to be linear. The only way you'll really know how much DEF you used is to fill it up again and see how much it takes.

My guess is it will take the better part of a gallon to top it off again.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Walaby wrote:
Just got back from 1100 mile (including local commuting) round trip from Middle Georgia to Sarasota Florida.

What really impressed me was the DEF mileage.

I think I got some of that US Buffalo urine DEF instead of that Chinese mouse urine. I did buy it from Walmart tho.


Mike

Google: "Is all DEF the same"?

Here's a link to PPC Lubricants that covers that question pretty well.

"Is all Diesel Exhaust Fluid the same?"

Check the stds & req's.

BTW - Kinda like the John Deere slogan when it comes to urea source/s - Nothing runs like a Gazelle or a Cheetah...:W

~

[Walaby]

Yeah, before I topped it off for the trip, I had four fill ups (not sure of the mileage), and was between 1/2 and 3/4. That was as purchased from the dealership. Gauge read full, but it might not have been "FULL". I don't think my manual said how many miles I could get per tank of DEF.

As far as the "exact number", I came up with 7/8 as the gauge is between 3/4 and full.

I have nothing to compare my mileage to, since I have no experience other than this truck with DEF vehicles. I had only heard/read that I would use more DEF towing, and it doesn't seem to be the case.

Mike