Ford DEF - How Many Miles Are You Getting?

[seahunter]

I just needed my first oil change at the one-year mark, and coincidentally the DEF warning had come on that I think said I had 300 miles left. By the time I went in I had about 4,500 on the odometer, plus 200 left of DEF, so I got about 4,700 for the first tank of DEF. Is this about what everyone else is getting? I thought almost 5,000 miles wasn't too bad.

[Paddler]

I don't have a Ford but my GMC gets about 1000 miles per gallon of DEF. Assuming you have a five gallon DEF tank, I'd say you're getting normal mileage.

[Bruce Lenhardt]

Yes, I am also getting about 5000 miles per 5 Gallons of DEF.

[seahunter]

Thanks Steve and Bruce!

[sailer]

I run most of the time on not towing and get the same MPG on diesel and about 6000 to 7000 miles on the def but if i put it on towing i only get about 4500 on def
sailer

[Recumbent]

As I remember some of the DEF refills we have gotten 6300, 5600, and 4600 depending on how much towing was being done. Also, we get the DEF topped-off when getting oil changes. Just remember to put the DEF in the correct tank, our local Ford Dealer Service manager told me a customer put it down the wrong hole and had about 10K repair to engine, he said thank goodness the customer's insurance covered it.

[seahunter]

quote:Originally posted by sailer

I run most of the time on not towing and get the same MPG on diesel and about 6000 to 7000 miles on the def but if i put it on towing i only get about 4500 on def
sailer

Good point, I forgot to mention that mine was mostly towing for that. I do some running around town with the truck, but it is primarily for towing the trailer.

[DonandBonnie]

My first tank of DEF was at 5500 miles. I changed the oil at that same time. Figured that the most engine wear comes when it's new, so a couple of extra oil changes in the low mileage range wouldn't hurt.

[1retired06]

Milage varies with how the truck is used. I have filled at the half mark warning twice now, ie one total refil 8050 miles. Re the oil change, I am too old fashioned to accept a once a year oil change, believing clean oil is the key to engine life particularly in a diesel, so I waste my money and change my own oil every 3500 miles or 120 days whichever comes first.

[Fire5er]

I also get about 1000 miles per gallon of DEF. I have 17K miles on my 2011 and have put three 2 1/2 gallon DEF containers in since I have had the truck. I have only had two oil changes to date and anticipating the change oil message coming on soon. We are weekenders only so the truck is a daily driver and only tows there to six times a year. I will be retiring in 10 months so 2014 we will be towing much more and we will see if DEF use goes up due to the truck working harder.

[capn chris]

Bout same, Greg. Took 15k trip last summer and had oil changed and DEF filled about every 4,500 miles (DEF warning light on). 2/3 of those miles were towing coast to coast, mountains and all!

[Hooker]

When we were shopping for our MH, one requirement was an engine that did not require DEF.

[seahunter]

quote:Originally posted by 1retired06

Milage varies with how the truck is used. I have filled at the half mark warning twice now, ie one total refil 8050 miles. Re the oil change, I am too old fashioned to accept a once a year oil change, believing clean oil is the key to engine life particularly in a diesel, so I waste my money and change my own oil every 3500 miles or 120 days whichever comes first.

I know what you mean Mike. My dad had taught us to do 3,000 miles or three months all the while we were growing up. If a guy isn't driving too much, I don't know if the "fossil" fuels really break down in a year or not. I surely hope at the cost, that the synthetic will last a year. My first oil change would have been just over $200 with the 5W40 and filling the DEF. I can't afford that every three months, I know that.

[seahunter]

quote:Originally posted by DonandBonnie

My first tank of DEF was at 5500 miles. I changed the oil at that same time. Figured that the most engine wear comes when it's new, so a couple of extra oil changes in the low mileage range wouldn't hurt.

Thanks Don - you're right, never fails to error on the safe side and just change it. When I was younger I was lucky enough to have a good friend manage an oil change store. Every once in a while he and I would just flush out the vehicle with fresh oil before the oil change to get some of the gunk out. I think that really helped those old cars a lot.

[seahunter]

quote:Originally posted by sailer

I run most of the time on not towing and get the same MPG on diesel and about 6000 to 7000 miles on the def but if i put it on towing i only get about 4500 on def
sailer

That's interesting. I can get about 17-18 freeway without towing, but only 12ish towing. Good to know the DEF lasts a lot longer when not towing.

[seahunter]

quote:Originally posted by Recumbent

As I remember some of the DEF refills we have gotten 6300, 5600, and 4600 depending on how much towing was being done. Also, we get the DEF topped-off when getting oil changes. Just remember to put the DEF in the correct tank, our local Ford Dealer Service manager told me a customer put it down the wrong hole and had about 10K repair to engine, he said thank goodness the customer's insurance covered it.

Ouch, that's an expensive lesson. I have on of those friend-of-a-friend stories that happened in Oregon which you can't do self-serve (technically you can self-serve diesel, but they don't like it). The attendant put gasoline in their diesel. That was a $10k bill as well, but of course they had the station cover it.

[seahunter]

quote:Originally posted by capn chris

Bout same, Greg. Took 15k trip last summer and had oil changed and DEF filled about every 4,500 miles (DEF warning light on). 2/3 of those miles were towing coast to coast, mountains and all!

Thanks Chris. Yeah, I like how the warning message comes on, you definitely can't miss it! And you sure don't want to ignore it too long - not sure I like that you gradually run out of engine power until you can no longer drive...

[whitebb]

quote:Originally posted by seahunter

I just needed my first oil change at the one-year mark, and coincidentally the DEF warning had come on that I think said I had 300 miles left. By the time I went in I had about 4,500 on the odometer, plus 200 left of DEF, so I got about 4,700 for the first tank of DEF. Is this about what everyone else is getting? I thought almost 5,000 miles wasn't too bad.

I have a 2012 6.7 F-350 DRW and I get 7500 plus on oil change and about the same for a tank of def.I had more oil changes per year than one. At this point I have 27000 on truck. By the way Walmart has best price for def fluid. Not all stores carry it. about $12.00 for 2.5 gal compared to truck stops at $16.00

[jmi]

Thanks for the price check on that def. Don't buy def from Ford without checking prices. My bad story comes from Jim Click Ford in Tucson, they overcharge compared to my local dealer. It was so bad I complained to Ford. They also tried to sucker me into buying some exhaust filter at 7500 miles. I said show me that in the maintenance guide, answer oh we just know you should change it. Be careful who you select to service your truck. I would not trust anyone trying to pull this stuff.

[jim mccaskill]

I have a 2011 with 60,000km on it. Most of my towing is in the summer months and like the rest of you the DEF usage is more when towing. I have the oil changed every 8,000km and will top off about a gallon and a half of DEF. The truck still runs like new and lots of fun, but still crappy milage.