DEF at truck stops

[Todd727]

Originally Posted by Chief Brown

I was in a local Ram dealership recently and the subject of DEF came up. I told the service manager that I buy my DEF at the truck stops when I need some. He said oh don't do that. He said it is not the same quality as what you can buy elsewhere i.e., (Autozone, Walmart,etc). He said it would "crystalize" in my DEF tank and cause all kinds of issues.
Just wondering if anyone on here has had issues with DEF from truck stops?

Absolute BS! Does he really think that all of the $250,000+ trucks are being exposed to crappy DEF? Trucking companies can't afford to have trucks shutdown.


I've only used DEF pumps for the over 10 years. Three Fords, one large farm tractor, several pieces of construction equipment and two semi's. Only issues I've had have been known problems with the manufacturer having bad parts.

[Dalder]

Spot on! Im more concerned about fuel quality than DEF. That said I have used truck-stop DEF mostly in the last year and have not experienced any problems so far.

[BB_TX]

Been an interesting and fun discussion. But I doubt there is any real difference in the age and quality of truck stop DEF and store bought jugs. Obviously the truck stops’ tanks are refilled regularly as needed. And stores maintain a volume of inventory corresponding to what they know they turn over fairly quickly. Most truck owners do little if any major towing. And even those who do tow, probably don’t go to truck stops unless they are towing. Instead going to the closest station selling diesel and buying DEF at various stores.

[Foldbak]

DEF is DEF and a bazillion trucker can't be wrong...

[77cruiser]

32.5% Urea 67.5 distilled water. So goat piss.

[Doug Brown]

DEF has a very short shelflife. Make sure were buying it at places like Walmart or they have a high turnover. I would say the truckstop DEF is one of the freshest deaths you can get I am not afraid to buy it there never had a problem.

[LERD]

OK, I'm new to diesel engines with DEF fluid. Up until recently, all of my experience with diesel engines were pre DEF, medium duty trucks that were 2014 and older. So now I have a 2022 F350, and I have already had to put in about 5 gals of DEF in 4000 miles. All but about 700 miles were towing our RV. I need DEF now in about 450 miles my truck says. Is there anything wrong with the DEF from Menards? I've been told DEF is DEF. It has to meet exacting standards like all other DEFs out there, right? It's currently $9 for a 2.5 gal jug, and it's 5 minutes from my house. But the nearest truck stop that is sells pump Def is 25 miles away. We just got done with our long winter excursion. So now it's only shorter trips until the end of summer. Then we're back to long hauls. So I probably won't pass too many truck stops till then. Has anyone had any experience with this DEF .... good or bad?

[77cruiser]

Nothing wrong with Menards DEF.

[mlh]

Is there anything wrong with the DEF from Menards? I've been told DEF is DEF.

DEF is DEF is DEF. It’s it’s regulated by the federal government so it’s all exactly the same.
Lynwood

[Bndn88]

I have had several of my trucks run into issues with quality and contaminated DEF. JUgs do have a shelf life so buy what you need but not too much.

[wed]

I use the DEF from both I’m not sure it makes a difference

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by Doug Brown

DEF has a very short shelflife. Make sure were buying it at places like Walmart or they have a high turnover. I would say the truckstop DEF is one of the freshest deaths you can get I am not afraid to buy it there never had a problem.

The shelf life of DEF is determined by how it is stored. It can be as long as only a year, or as many as three years. It all depends on the heat it is subjected to.

[Denny and Angie Miller]

2017 Duramax bought new. Only use is pulling the 5er, current mileage is 16,700 miles. Truck sits in the garage when not pulling, including all winter. DEF fill tube is under the hood, so filling from a box is easier for me, I've never filled from the pump. 1 time I had to buy off brand DEF box at a gas station, every fill other than that has been Blue DEF from the box from WM and Menards, zero issues. Im not afraid of using pump DEF, box is just easier for me.

[jsb5717]

OK, DEF Newbie here as well. I have always had pre-DEF trucks...until now. I'm jumping into the world of DEF and have been studying up to make sure I can get lots of miles without undue service. I'm picking up a very low-mile 2015 RAM next week.

So, 3 questions:

1. So...DEF is DEF is DEF. So there's no difference between the 2 API certified brands below except about $15.00?

2. I read about one person in this thread having a problem with their DEF system at some point. Has anyone else had problems that required a service call? If so, what was the cause? Was it preventable?

3. Is there anything anyone does preventatively to keep the DEF system clean? I see there there are fuel additives that claim to keep the DPF system clean...is that the same general idea?

[77cruiser]

I've read the platinum other than costing more has some additive in it that some trucks don't like.

[WhatExit?]

Better use of this thread would be listing the current price of DEF at the pump and in stores.

I saw Peak Blue DEF 2.5 gallon box at Sams Club for $15.98

<EDIT>

Walmart near me has Super Tech DEF 2.5 gallon for $9.48

$6.50 less than the Peak Blue DEF

[MandK]

Originally Posted by WhatExit?

Better use of this thread would be listing the current price of DEF at the pump and in stores.

I saw Peak Blue DEF 2.5 gallon box at Sams Club for $15.98

I paid $3.40 for diesel and $4.02 for def at my local (22 miles away) truck stop last week.

[rohrmann]

If DEF has these two ingredients, 32.5 percent urea and 67.5 percent deionized water, and has to meet international standard ISO 22241, it shouldn't make any difference what label is on the jug or box, and paying even more for Platinum DEF is just a scam. I got a chuckle a couple weeks ago, went into the local Walmart, and a big display in the middle of an isle had loads of the Platinum DEF, but a couple isles away tucked down on a bottom shelf was the regular blue version for over five dollars a box less. They probably pay the same wholesale price for both.

[WhatExit?]

Shelf life of DEF

I've seen multiple posts here and elsewhere about "limited / shelf life" of DEF.

Turns out that mostly urea

It will degrade over time, but if stored at temps between 10 degrees and 90 degrees, DEF has an expected shelf life of one year. You can extend the shelf life to two years by storing at a temperature that stays around 75 degrees. If you see a color change, the fluid is likely compromised.

https://blueskydefna.com/know-the-sh...%20compromised.

[Denny and Angie Miller]

I made an earlier post that could be viewed as an endorsement/recommendation...that wasn't my intention, I was simply sharing my experience. Since I haven't had any DEF issues myself, I'm reluctant to change my routine. Yes, what I buy is more expensive, but i'm using the truck <3K miles/year, so it can be months between DEF purchase. It might be different if I were buying DEF every week. As an example, my last DEF refill was 8 months ago.