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Old 03-01-2017, 07:51 AM   #1
captbanjo
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For those who are DEF

My new truck will have 1000 miles on it by the time I leave for Florida. I'm wondering if there's any harm in topping off the DEF? That would mean I could avoid trying to fill it up another thousand miles down the road or so. Also, is anyone keeping open DEF in the back of their truck or is that basically not a good idea? Thanks in advance.
 
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Old 03-01-2017, 08:13 AM   #2
BB_TX
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No problem is topping off. I generally do it when the tank is about 1/2 full. And if the tank will not hold the whole jug, I cap it and add the rest later. But I do not leave the jug where it will be in the hot sun.
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Old 03-01-2017, 08:27 AM   #3
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Captbanjo, I would also like to add that you should always check the dates on the DEF jugs you buy. Google the manufacturer, as there's not a standard. Peak Blue uses a system where you do the following in this example:

The date code on the BlueDEF box is:

GA153590089

Lets break this down into 4 groups of numbers:

GA: The designator of the plant that manufactured the DEF
15: The year of manufacture plus 1, so this DEF was made in 2014
359: 365-359 = 6, so the 6th day of the year, or January 6th.
0089: The batch code.

So this box of DEF was made January 6th, 2014.

Other manufacturers aren't as screwy.....

Safe travels
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Old 03-01-2017, 08:54 AM   #4
captbanjo
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How old can it be and still be effective?
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Old 03-01-2017, 09:04 AM   #5
Starmaster
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From the Blue DEF spec sheet:

BLUEDEF HANDLING AND STORAGE
The shelf life of DEF is directly related to the temperature at which it is stored. Storage temperature between 12º and 86º F are recommended to maintain optimal shelf life of up to two years. If BlueDEF freezes, its efficacy will not be effected upon thawing.

I store mine in a dark area of our basement at the house which stays at 65-75* year round. I try not to keep more than a couple of boxes on hand at any time.

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Old 03-01-2017, 09:20 AM   #6
Beau2010
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We have a Pilot/Flying J RV Plus card thru Good Sam. Whenever we need to top off the DEF tank, stop in at Pilot truck stop. Quick, easy, no jug to mess with and you can be sure it is fresh since the semis are using it every day.
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Old 03-01-2017, 09:42 AM   #7
WeBeFulltime
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No problem is topping off. I generally do it when the tank is about 1/2 full. And if the tank will not hold the whole jug, I cap it and add the rest later. But I do not leave the jug where it will be in the hot sun.
This is how I do it and I use the Walmart brand. Cheaper and works just as good as any.
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Old 03-01-2017, 12:29 PM   #8
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Agree with everyone. Only issue I have is my 2011 - F-250 only lets me know when I am getting low. I know Dodge has a gauge. I wish the Ford did.


Ditto on the dates and storage. I just dropped $1150. on a new def pump. The question was did I use old or contaminated DEF. Nope - Pilot or SuperTech def from Walmart. Just be sure it's clean
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Old 03-01-2017, 02:15 PM   #9
JABURKHOLDER
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My 2016 F350 has a 5 gallon DEF tank. A warning message comes on when I am at half a tank. Other warnings come on as the level gets lower. Depending on driving and towing, that 5 gallons lasts 1,000 to 4,000 miles. I do not buy the 1 gallon or 2.5 gallon jugs. Compared to filling up at a truck stop, the jugs cost too much.
A tip you all probably know... don't run out of DEF and shut the engine off, it will not restart.
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Old 03-01-2017, 02:27 PM   #10
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My GMC doesn't have any visual aid to tell you when you are filling it and reach the full point.. Do other trucks have this or do you just kind of wait for the overflow?
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Old 03-01-2017, 02:41 PM   #11
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My GMC doesn't have any visual aid to tell you when you are filling it and reach the full point.. Do other trucks have this or do you just kind of wait for the overflow?
You shouldn't be getting overflow. The DEF pumps at truck stops are designed to shut of just like the fuel pumps. If you are filling from a jug, be sure to use the nozzle provided. They are designed to stop the flow when full.
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Old 03-01-2017, 03:22 PM   #12
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I always prefer to buy bulk at a truck stop. I figure that as much as they go through I never need to worry about the date. Plus, it's cheaper and easier to dispense. Just remember, at a lot of pumps when you prepay, you need to let them know you're getting Diesel and DEF.
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Old 03-01-2017, 06:11 PM   #13
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I carry 2 gallons of blue def on trips, keep it in the trailer storage compartment. I buy the one gallon containers, as I find the large containers hard to use under the hood without spilling the fluid. I never use the truck stop DEF - personal preference.
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Old 03-01-2017, 08:47 PM   #14
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My 2015 Chevy only lets you know when you are down to 30% full and then you get a notice probably good for about 200 miles worth after that. I think mine will go into Limp mode near empty, limiting top speed of 35 MPH.
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Old 03-20-2017, 06:42 PM   #15
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This is how I do it and I use the Walmart brand. Cheaper and works just as good as any.
Never buy at Wally World lol!!! Have Read many posts on the cummins forum about guys having major SCR issues due having ukowningly bought def jugs refillled with water by cheap idiots who think they are scamming 15 bucks...they buy it, dump in truck, fill with water and return for cash saying bought by mistake. Buy bulk at truck stops where they uses thousands of gallons a day at the pumps...or from a truck dealer where you get two to a sealed box...
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Old 03-21-2017, 05:15 AM   #16
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Never buy at Wally World lol!!! Have Read many posts on the cummins forum about guys having major SCR issues due having ukowningly bought def jugs refillled with water by cheap idiots who think they are scamming 15 bucks...they buy it, dump in truck, fill with water and return for cash saying bought by mistake. Buy bulk at truck stops where they uses thousands of gallons a day at the pumps...or from a truck dealer where you get two to a sealed box...
During my 20 years trucking I learned to remove the caps and check the factory seal on all containers of oil, DEF, etc. before paying for them. Not my first rodeo!
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Old 03-21-2017, 06:36 AM   #17
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I wait till my truck says I have 500 miles till it goes into limp mode. I have a 15 F250. I also went to the dealer and got there hose for the DEF. It locks into the hole better than the one that comes in the box. I find that my truck doesn't use that much DEF so when I need it I just go and get a box.
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Old 03-21-2017, 06:40 AM   #18
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Only real issue is if it is too full when you hit the cold weather, the tank needs room for expansion if temp's are freezing, my 2015 diesel chevy used more DEF when it was new than it does now. Seems to average around 2000 - 4000kms to a tank when towing the 5er...
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Old 03-21-2017, 08:47 AM   #19
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Never buy at Wally World lol!!! Have Read many posts on the cummins forum about guys having major SCR issues due having ukowningly bought def jugs refillled with water by cheap idiots who think they are scamming 15 bucks...they buy it, dump in truck, fill with water and return for cash saying bought by mistake. Buy bulk at truck stops where they uses thousands of gallons a day at the pumps...or from a truck dealer where you get two to a sealed box...
I buy from Walmart and I make sure the box is sealed and the spout has the seal after i purchased it., I've never had any issues. Ether using blue def or Walmart brand.
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Old 03-21-2017, 10:10 AM   #20
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Best price I have found on Blue DEF is at home depot.
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