When you see the letters DEF on a truck, you should understand what they mean. The acronym stands for Defense Economic Force. The purpose of DEF is to reduce emissions. Trucks that do not meet these standards are not allowed to be sold. In the US, truck manufacturers are adding more diesel models to the lineup.
Newer vehicles have gauges and lights that alert drivers when their DEF is low. Without DEF, the engine will slow down to five miles per hour. Luckily, DEF is non-toxic and easy to replace. Wet hosing services are also available for those who want to keep their diesel running at its optimum.
DEF is shipped in a variety of packages. Smaller jugs may contain a few gallons, while drums can contain up to 55 gallons. Some drums are refillable, and hand pumps are mounted on the top or side of the drum. Larger totes are filled with DEF and have a pump mounted on the side.
What Happens If Truck Runs Out of DEF?
If you run your truck without DEF fluid, you could encounter severe performance issues. Modern trucks are equipped with SCR technology to slow down when the DEF level falls. If the DEF level drops below a certain level, the vehicle will stop and the driver will be unable to continue driving until it replenishes itself.
Your truck’s dashboard will tell you if DEF is low, as soon as you notice it’s low. An amber warning light will appear on the dash when your DEF level is below 10 percent. At five percent, the warning light will begin flashing and will eventually turn solid. When your DEF runs out completely, the warning light will switch to red. You can also manually check the DEF level by looking for the warning light. If your truck is equipped with a DEF tank, it is usually located next to the diesel saddle tank or in the spare tire compartment.
If you run out of DEF, it is important to check your vehicle’s tank for the presence of water. When the temperature rises above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, DEF will start to evaporate and form small amounts of ammonia. In these temperatures, it’s advisable to store DEF in a safe place. Keep DEF away from direct sunlight and from heat sources. It can cause corrosion of metal parts and should be stored appropriately.
How Much Does DEF Cost?
The first step to reducing the cost of DEF on a truck is to understand how much it costs. It is important to know how much DEF your truck needs and when it is required. Your vehicle will typically get eight to twelve mpg when not towing, but you’ll likely use more DEF if you’re towing. If your vehicle runs out of DEF, you’ll get a warning light that tells you that you need to fill up. In order to avoid this, make sure you keep your tank full and do not let your engine go into limp mode.
Most truck owners purchase DEF at a truck stop, but some gasoline stations sell DEF as an option as well. Although these sources are expensive and not always convenient, truck owners may find that DEF is cheaper than diesel fuel. For this reason, some companies are trying to meet the increasing demand for DEF by opening new plants to produce it. For example, Yara recently opened a $1.8 billion urea plant in Saskatchewan, and Terra Environmental Industries is now producing TerraCair DEF in Oklahoma.
How Often Do You Add DEF Fluid?
DEF is an additive that breaks down harmful emissions from diesel engines into non-hazardous nitrogen and water. The additive is a mixture of synthetic urea and de-ionized water. This combination reduces emissions by up to 90 percent. Its expiration date will be on the container.
DEF can become low on your truck and cause issues, but you can easily replenish it once you notice a warning light on the dashboard. It’s made from the compound urea, which is also used for fertilizer. If you’re concerned about the smell, you can take it to a local wet-hose facility.
Adding DEF is easy and quick. The first step is to find the DEF tank. This can be found next to the diesel fuel tank on newer models. On older trucks, it may be under the hood or in the engine bay. If you’re unsure, check the owner’s manual.
What is DEF on a Diesel Truck?
When it comes to fuel and emissions, diesel trucks require DEF. Without it, the exhaust system will become clogged, causing a breakdown. Cleaning up the system or replacing damaged parts can take weeks, and this can cost thousands of dollars. If you’re unsure whether your truck needs DEF, it is best to call your service provider.
DEF lasts about two years if stored properly, under 65 degrees and away from sunlight. However, you should not use DEF that has passed its expiration date. This will not only affect performance, but can also lead to maintenance problems. Newer trucks often have dashboard warnings indicating when they need DEF replacement.
To keep your diesel truck running at its optimal level, you should replace DEF fluid on a regular basis. This fluid helps the engine run cleaner, as it cuts down on toxic NOx emissions. Newer diesel vehicles use less fluid than older diesel engines.
Can I Use Water Instead of DEF?
While DEF fluid is an essential part of a diesel engine, using water instead of it can cause corrosion in the system and cause a large bill in the future. This is because water contains minerals that can damage exhaust passages and the SCR catalyst. If you plan on using water as DEF replacement, you should make sure that you use distilled water.
While water does not react with NOx, DEF does. When it reacts with NOx in the exhaust, it will de-rate the engine. This can lead to a number of problems including an engine control module error code. Furthermore, you will likely see your truck enter limp-home mode.
In addition to being ineffective in stopping engine damage, DEF is expensive. A leaking DEF tank can result in weeks of downtime and thousands of dollars in repairs. According to a recent study by T3, one in ten construction machines will run out of DEF each day. To prevent this, use a real-time maintenance alert system that will let you know exactly which vehicles need DEF.
How Many Miles Will 1 Gallon of DEF Last?
Depending on the engine, one gallon of DEF can last around 300 miles on a truck. The exact mileage depends on the driving conditions and the vehicle’s duty cycle. Manufacturers recommend a dose rate of 2% to 3% of the diesel fuel used in a truck. However, expert opinion varies.
A typical light or medium duty truck’s fuel tank is 3-5 gallons. The DEF used in this truck is a specific formula and contains other compounds in minute amounts. Adding more additives would upset the precise chemical makeup of the product and reduce its NOx reducing properties. Moreover, further blending would compromise DEF’s effectiveness and could damage the SCR system.
Adding DEF to your truck’s fuel tank can be difficult. Its cost is generally close to the price of diesel fuel. Moreover, the vehicle’s fuel tank has no gauge, so it is impossible to tell when you’re running low on DEF. Even if you’re not towing, you’ll still need at least three or five gallons of DEF every thousand miles.
Can Trucks Run Without DEF?
If you’ve run out of DEF, the first thing you need to do is go to an auto-parts store and purchase more. These stores usually sell DEF by the gallon. You’ll need at least 7 gallons (30 liters) for a typical truck.
Although some truck owners opt to cut the cost of the DEF system, removing it may void the warranty and put you in legal trouble. In addition, many dealers won’t even accept a truck without DEF. For these reasons, removing the DEF is not a good idea.
The main benefit of DEF is that it reduces the amount of harmful chemicals that are released by the diesel engine. In 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set new standards for manufacturers of diesel vehicles. To ensure the safety of the public and the environment, manufacturers must make it more difficult for a diesel truck to start when its DEF level is low.
If the level of DEF drops below 10%, a warning light will illuminate on the dashboard. The warning light will flash until the DEF tank is filled. If it drops any lower than that, the truck will be unable to start or run.
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