Using DEF too fast??

[jfaberna]

My 2014 Ram 3500 has the 6.7L diesel that uses DEF. The specs say 8 gallon capacity. It was filled at the dealer when I bought it and it stayed on full for the first 1000 miles. However, that's when I started towing my Montana. By the time I got to 2100, the gauge says 1/4 full. It's in the red area, but no warning yet. I thought I'd get better DEF MPG that that? The diesel MPG did fall a lot during towing, but the DEF usage seems excessive.

[timandsusan]

Because there is no "DEF Guage" on my F250 6.7 liter, all can say that is my experience with about 4000 miles towing. Non towing--about 1000 miles per gallon. Towing--closer to 600 miles per gallon of DEF and I drive around 62-65 mph while towing in the mountains of the west. Just my experience. Also learned to not buy DEF from any dealer--go to the auto parts store or truck stop. Dealers charge to much!

[jcurtis934]

I think the lowest I have seen with the 2012 F350 is about 600 per gallon (5 gal tank)towing from Florida to Maine, Florida to Wisconsin, etc. Next May will be back to New Mexico and Nevada so I will know how it does out west after that. John

[Artemus Gordon]

Between 3500-4000 per tank since new on my 2014 F450

[grayghost03]

My bet is the dealer didn't top off tank, and full isn't a full tank, try filling it yourself and add a gallon, see when it shows full, and then add another gallon, I bet it will take a couple of more gallons after the gauge shows full. I know on my Chevy, it will show OK(which is a close as Chevy comes to saying full) with 3 gallons in the 6 gallons (mol) tank.

[jfaberna]

Another odd thing happened yesterday. On the way home from a few 5 miles trips picking up stuff, I noticed a normal diesel exhaust smell, which I figured was someone else in an older truck. I had not smelled anything related to my truck that smelled like diesel exhaust since I got it. I can't imaging that if I'm not getting warnings that anything would change in the exhaust smell.

[grayghost03]

You may have smelled the truck during a regen cycle or the truck going out of regen, they do put off an odd smell at that time and it can take awhile with stop and go. Engine temp not getting to operating temp will change the smell. And you are right, if something is wrong you will get a check engine light.

[Emmel]

Summer of 2012, drove 15k on a trip around the south and back the north route to Ohio. Used 15 gallon of DEF in our 12 GMC. Talked to the trusted diesel mechanic at our dealership and he said that was normal for the towing we did.
He also advised against just adding DEF until the computer wants it added as that confuses the computer. Also, when driving and the regen starts, make sure you drive at least for 30 minutes as it takes that long to regen. If the cycle starts and you only drive for 15 minutes, it will start a new cycle every time until it has run for 30 minutes.
Suggest you get on a first name basis with the diesel mechanic at your dealership to learn more about the usage of DEF, I'm still learning a lot and now have 24k on our GMC.

[DonandBonnie]

Our F350 gives us a 500 mile warning with a countdown as the DEF tank empties. We can also look at the display to see if the tank is under half full. We add one 2 1/2 gal. jug from Wally World when we get the under half warning and have never had any ill effect. Not sure about the regen cycle. Our display shows exhaust cleaning periodically for only a few seconds. Perhaps Ford is different from a GM vehicle.

[jfaberna]

Yeap smell is gone this morning. Parts store had the 2.5 gal. box on sale. I'm going to wait for the warning since Ram says adding 2.5 at that time will bring it to half full.

[1retired06]

Our Ford 6.7 carries 5 gallons and we get a warning on the dash which states " less than half full", and continuing warnings based on remaining mileage. Sort of DEF guage. Seems like mileage varies with type of driving done.

[scott-pati]

Jim, if you do a lot of short trips around town, you will use more DEF. That's the way it is sometimes. You also might what to check with the dealer if there are any software updates.

You might to consider joining the TDR (Turbo Diesel Register). It covers the Ram and Cummins only. A lot of good info, forum and quarterly magazine. I belong to them. Here's the link: http://www.turbodieselregister.com/

[rjsurfer]

Just curious, what happens if you run out of the
def solution ?

My 03 doesn't need that.

One last question, looking into the future are there any better ways to keep pollutants down than DEF? At some time I will be needing a new truck and would rather not have to play around with that sort of stuff.

Thanks

[jfaberna]

My owners manual says that if you run out of DEF, the engine is electronically limited to a 5 MPH speed. You need 2 1/2 gallons of DEF to get back to normal at that point. Recently my DEF gauge showed deep into the RED part of the dial, but I had not gotten any warnings in the information center. I added 1 box of DEF ($12.99 at parts store) which is 2.5 gallons and now my gauge shows 7/8 full. Not sure I trust the gauge because the tank is spec'ed at 8 gallons.

[Tfthorp]

I got a warning saying I had 50 miles til it would shut me to 50 MPH. I know it was just filled up went to about 21 miles left then just went out. Think it might have to do with the single digit temps here in Vt. right now.

[mhs4771]

Ron, to answer you question on a better method. There may be, but right now DEF seems to be the solution. The Big Rigs/Over the Road Truckers have to use it, so we're not alone. Dodge with the Cummins was able to get by the first couple of years, but have not been forced into using it.
While the DEF is a PITA I can put up with it, I just hate the DPF and those Regens, what a waste of good Diesel fuel. I've asked but never got a good answer if there is any limit controls on the Regen so that it won't kick in if running low on fuel and waste what little fuel you have left (I know, don't let it get that low).