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Old 12-21-2015, 10:48 AM   #1
dunrovin1955
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DEF

Got a new 2016 Ram 3500 DRW 4x4 and wondering how much DEF I will use. The tank was filled and I have put around 700 miles on and it hasn't dropped off 100%. This was all highway driving with no RV. Does this seem normal.My first DEF experience. Thanks, Brent
 
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Old 12-21-2015, 11:30 AM   #2
K0LCB
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I use about 4 gallons every 1,000 miles. Pulling hard makes it go down faster. Congratulations on the new truck! I hope you get to enjoy it
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Old 12-21-2015, 12:09 PM   #3
twindman
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Wow, Kolcb, that is a lot of DEF. Did you mean quarts? My Chevy uses 5 gallons about every 5000 miles, I think.
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Old 12-21-2015, 01:01 PM   #4
Dmcgrew
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I agree, approx 5 gallon or less every 5000 miles. I initially thought the def would be a headache but have found the increase in power and torque is well worth the time needed to fill the def. Some fuel stations now have def pumps which really makes it easy!
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Old 12-21-2015, 01:49 PM   #5
Trailer Trash 2
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WHATS DEF? LOL . it sure sounds like a lot of extra money is being added to your cost of fuel every so many miles. to satisfy EPA.
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Old 12-21-2015, 01:59 PM   #6
K0LCB
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Hey Tom, you're right about the quarts. I had one of those brain farts
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Old 12-21-2015, 03:14 PM   #7
TAKPAK
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In our 2015 GMC, with 8000 miles on it, we're averaging around 1 gallon for every thousand miles travelled. This is combined trailer towing and non-trailer towing mileage.
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Old 12-21-2015, 04:06 PM   #8
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Both myself and a friend have 2014 F350s with 6.7l PSD. We both get about 1000 miles to the gallon on DEF when towing, At about $9 for a 2.5 gallon jug of blue DEF, that's about .36 cents/mile for DEF. We both get about 10MPG will towing. At $2/gallon for diesel, that means that DEF adds about 1.75% for your cost per mile, if diesel goes up, the DEF adder % goes down. These new trucks have no diesel smell or black smoke and have amazing torque and HP.

As a side bar, we both use the jugs rather that getting DEF from a pump at a truck stop, I've heard stories of people getting contaminated DEF when buying from the truck stop pumps. Its a little cheaper per gallon at the pumps, but not worth the hassle. About half the time when trying to use the pumps we have had to use the magnetic adapter to get the truck stop DEF pump to dispense into our trucks.

All things considered, in the big picture, the DEF cost is so small its a non-issue. I love my PSD and it's performance is awesome. With a $60K truck pulling a $60K 5er, an extra 1/3 of a cent/mile operating cost IMHO is so far down in the noise it just has no impact on anything. YMMV

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Old 12-21-2015, 04:35 PM   #9
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Power with our 6.7 is worth the additional DEF requirement. 2.5 fill lasts on average 3k miles for us
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Old 12-21-2015, 11:46 PM   #10
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I use around 3 gallons when i go from south Florida to upper Michigan loaded with the Monty but it seems it isnt moving and i think its broken when I'm running with no load hooked up.
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Old 12-22-2015, 01:03 AM   #11
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I run about 1 gallon per 1000 miles not towing. BTW, my check engine light came on in north Texas, on our trip down to Blanco. Once we gpt set up at The Blanco Settlement (a very nice little park on the banks of the Blanco River), we took the truck to Johnson Sewell Ford in Johnson City. Diagnosis showed the DEF pump died. They rearranged schedules and treated us like royalty. Provided us with shuttle service to a laundramat, picked us up and took us to the restaurant of our choice. (No, of course they didn't pay), picked us up again and took us back to the dealership. They had the pump replaced and had us out in just over 3 hours. The bad part-it cost some serious change. The good part-- It was over $100 less than the original estimate. The cost was less than my local dealer would have charged. I called them just to run a comparison. So, not everything is bigger in Texas. If you ever find yourself in a bind in The Texas Hill country, we certainly recommend Johnson Sewell Ford.
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Old 12-22-2015, 01:13 AM   #12
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BTW, the first question the service mgr. asked was, where do you usually buy your DEF. I told him I always buy at the pump at my local truck stop, why? He said most of the pump problems he has seen seem to be from people using Blue DEF. I personally don't see any difference. When on the road I've used DEF from Wal-Mart, Menards,etc.Including Blue DEF.
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Old 12-22-2015, 02:54 AM   #13
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I would figure the DEF is all the same. The ratio is the same using pee and deionized water and i do not see any different company adding additives that i know of. Unless the def at the pump might be watered down and some one using standard water to cut it, Maybe at some stores that might not be totally on the honest side if you know what i mean.
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Old 12-22-2015, 10:02 AM   #14
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If a 2 1/2 gallon container lasts 2500 miles, and the container costs $9.00, the cost per mile wood be $.0036, about a third of a cent per mile.
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Old 12-27-2015, 04:49 PM   #15
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Here is some of my def experience, not good for the most part. Vehicle is a 2012 duramax. At 85000 miles, using about 2.5 gal every 1500 miles towing, the service system light came on. The system shuts you down first to 65 mph, then 55 mph, then 5 mph. The problem was the nox sensors. One week with out the vehicle, under warranty, but had to rent a vehicle. Then, just last week at 100,030 the system shut down again. Seems the def tank had a sensor that was bad. The tank & sensor had to be replaced. GM has extended the warranty by 20000 due to issues with the def system. Almost said damn def system! I asked the dealers what else could go wrong, they said not much, but they haven't workied out the bugs, even after 4-5 years. This is my third 2500 HD duramax. Not very happy with this situation as am up against the warranty. Just sayin!!
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Old 12-28-2015, 03:53 PM   #16
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I had all of my DEF sensors replaced by 55K, no problems since. Did have a downpipe leak between the turbocharger and the regular exhaust that required replacement at 79K. All work completed under warranty. The downpipe was a recall exclusive to 2011 models. Love the truck and it performs flawlessly.
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Old 12-28-2015, 06:54 PM   #17
Artemus Gordon
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I get about 3500 miles from 2.5 gal DEF. I don't fret about it, just add some when I use my Lucas treatment. I buying it at Tractor Store for $9.30 without the box. Big thing is to keep the pouring hose clean or it crusts up. Note: I am in tow mode 80% of my driving.
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Old 01-02-2016, 07:30 AM   #18
kozzy
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it seems the DEF added to the CTD has increased the MPG. is that right? My old CTD was a 2012, no DEF, I would get about 12-13 MPG normal driving, and 8-10 MPG towing. Now my new 2016 CTD on order, people are reporting 18-19 MPG around town and 12 ish MPG towing.
the only changes RAM mad that I know of was the DEF fluid...
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Old 01-02-2016, 07:46 AM   #19
rohrmann
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On pre-DEF trucks, the manufacturers had to run them a bit rich to reduce NOX emissions. By using DEF in the exhaust stream along with the converter, they are able to lean out the mixture, and that is why they can get better mileage. I figure, the little cost of the DEF with much better fuel economy is a good improvement, plus I am real happy not seeing a black cloud in my mirror when I have to put the pedal down.
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