Brands of DEF

[Mountain_Mama]

We have a 2012 Chevy 3500 Duramax and have been using the Blue DEF by Peak just because that's what we have at our local WM and Sam's club. Been paying about $11-13 for 2.5 gal jugs. Just saw an ad for TerraCair DEF for reg $9.99/2.5 gal but it is on sale for $8.88. From looking online seems to be reputable, but had just never seen or heard of this brand. Has anyone used the TerraCair brand?

[The_Texan]

mich800 wrote:
DEF is not a requirement of the Federal Government. The emission standards the OEM's must meet is. It is still up to them to determine how to achieve that goal. It just so happens the DEF route is currently the most practical for them.

Some people will never acknowledge that, as they believe everything comes from the government......As far as I have been able to find, there are NO government regulations on the manufacture of DEF, just the end results at the tailpipe.

[Blackcell]

I just piss in a jug and it's free 😉
67% deionized water / 33% chemically pure Urea.
DEF is DEF, brand doesn't matter but it does have a shelf life.

DEF Shelf Life versus Temperature
Constant Ambient Storage Temp Shelf Life In Months

<50 °F (10°C) ------------------ 36
<77 °F (25°C) ------------------ 18
<86 °F (30°C) ------------------ 12
<95 °F (35°C) ------------------ 6
<104°F (40°C) ------------------ 2

[mich800]

DEF is not a requirement of the Federal Government. The emission standards the OEM's must meet is. It is still up to them to determine how to achieve that goal. It just so happens the DEF route is currently the most practical for them.

[naturist]

The Texan wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
No need to worry about brand. It all has to be made to ISO specs and is API certified. Buy whatever is cheapest.

Where did this info come from? Oil used in your truck does NOT have to be made to any specs, so why should DEF have that requirement?

Because DEF is a requirement of Federal law, unlike motor oil. That's why brand does not matter. You can thank the EPA for this fact.

For what it is worth, DEF is a precisely regulated solution of one of the cheapest chemicals in the world in distilled water. There is no need to worry that any mfg of DEF won't turn a healthy profit while getting $8 or more per gallon. It ought to cost about a buck.

[wintersun]

DEF is a purified Urea solution and I would only care about its age and how it was stored (away from heat and out of the sun). I get it at the truck stops straight from the pump where it is even cheaper than from the crooks at Wal-Mart and it is always "fresh".

DEF is one additive where GM does not specify a type or class or brand. If they do not care there is not reason for you to worry about it.

[ACZL]

Blue DEF is most popular. That's what we have/use in bulk for our semis.

[N-Trouble]

More important than the brand is the date it was made (fresher is always better) and of course is API certified which most major brands are.

[APT]

I have never read one complaint about any brand of DEF used in the 2 years I have owned a DEF equipped vehicle. $30/gal at a Mercedes dealer or $2.50/gal from a truck stop pump.

[mpierce]

All has to meet specs. I do not worry about what brand of gas I put in the car. Nor do I worry about the brand of DEF. I try to fill bulk at truckstops, and have NO IDEA what brand it is anyway.

[nevadanick]

My 2011 GMC has had Terracair run through it most of its 70k mi

[The_Texan]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
No need to worry about brand. It all has to be made to ISO specs and is API certified. Buy whatever is cheapest.

Where did this info come from? Oil used in your truck does NOT have to be made to any specs, so why should DEF have that requirement?

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

No need to worry about brand. It all has to be made to ISO specs and is API certified. Buy whatever is cheapest.

[mdamerell]

We use whatever comes out of the bulk tank at work. Don't know what brands the truck stops use but you can buy DEF from the pump for round $2.80 a gallon. SO the $8.88 is in line with that price. Your local truck stop may be able to tell you what brands they use.