DEF Filling

[Mikegjax]

Originally Posted by RedLdr1

While I was checking on our "W" at the M-B dealer I asked the Sprinter Service Manager about DEF consumption. He answer was to plan on using approximately 1 gallon per 1,000 miles.

That has been pretty much my experience. I usually top off every 2,000, but have gone as much as 3,000 with no ill effects. Tank holds 3.1 gallons.

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by gary ca

A suggestion, when you are buying DEF from Walmart unscrew the cap, check the seal. If the seal is broken it was drained and returned to the store filled with water.
Yep, that happened to a friend, one container full of water. He caught it right after his purchase, just check.

Not just Walmart, anywhere, I bought 5qt jug of oil at a major Auto supply store. Went to pour it in and noticed it was black. Someone used it, filled it with used oil and returned it.

[JLeising]

Originally Posted by RedLdr1

While I was checking on our "W" at the M-B dealer I asked the Sprinter Service Manager about DEF consumption. He answer was to plan on using approximately 1 gallon per 1,000 miles.

Sounds higher than my experience. As noted above, I seem to get about 2000 miles per gallon. Others have reported adding two gallons to fill after 3700 to 3800 miles (about 1850 to 1900 miles per gallon). Of note, I don't tow a car.

If you do refill based on the lower number above (1000 miles per gallon) be aware the tank may fill sooner than you expect - it sure is easy to have that stuff overflow the tank fill!

[Mikegjax]

Originally Posted by JLeising

Sounds higher than my experience. As noted above, I seem to get about 2000 miles per gallon. Others have reported adding two gallons to fill after 3700 to 3800 miles (about 1850 to 1900 miles per gallon). Of note, I don't tow a car.

If you do refill based on the lower number above (1000 miles per gallon) be aware the tank may fill sooner than you expect - it sure is easy to have that stuff overflow the tank fill!

JLeising, do you have the larger DEF tank? Some years had a 6 gal tank.

[JLeising]

Our 2012 Solera"S" has the smaller (about 3 gallon) DEF tank filled from the engine compartment.

[grayfox]

I use a manual hand held transfer pump I purchased at Harbor FRT... about 10-12 bucks. No fuse no mess. Carry it in the truck.

[RedLdr1]

I think the one gallon per 1,000 miles driven usage estimate I was given may be based on their location. Most of the Sprinters they service are commercial vehicles driven in Atlanta metro traffic. Atlanta traffic qualifies for the severe duty maintenance schedule for some other vehicle brands.

[wbdavey]

Just a note of caution - DEF has a shelf life so check the dates on anything you buy off the shelf. It's probably not a good idea to keep the DEF tank full all the time either - the DEF will age in your tank, especially if you don't put on a lot of miles.

[grayfox]

Originally Posted by wbdavey

Just a note of caution - DEF has a shelf life so check the dates on anything you buy off the shelf. It's probably not a good idea to keep the DEF tank full all the time either - the DEF will age in your tank, especially if you don't put on a lot of miles.

Just an FYI... good info.

PEAK COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL | BLUEDEF | DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID | FAQS

[Mikegjax]

Q. What is the shelf life of DEF?
A.
The shelf life of DEF is a function of ambient storage temperature. DEF will degrade over time
depending on temperature and exposure to sun light. Expectations for shelf life as defined by ISO Spec
22241-3 are the minimum expectations for shelf life when stored at constant temperatures. If stored between 10 and 90 deg F, shelf life will easily be one year. If the maximum temperature does not exceed approximately 75 deg F for an extended period of time, the shelf life will be two years.

Q. What impact will exposure to high temperatures for an extended period
of time have on DEF?
A.
While DEF exposure to constant, high storage temperature may have some impact on shelf life, this
should not concern operators. Extensive testing in very hot climates has been conducted confirming that
DEF stored at a constant temperature of 95 deg F had a shelf life of over 6 months.



Q. Is the DEF dose rate the same for all engine manufacturers?
A.
The DEF dose rate will vary slightly amongst engine manufacturers. While most engines will have a
dose rate of 2% of diesel fuel consumed, the dose rate will
range from 1% to 3

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by Beach Bums

After about our first 1200 miles, I decided it was time to get some DEF (I may have missed it, but could not find the consumption rate of DEF). We purchased it at a truck stop and the set up is how you explained...opposite side of the fill.... The hose was plenty long to reach. At 1200 miles....we added ~.8 of a gallon... Still not clear on the consumption rate.

Consumption rate is 1 part def to 50 parts fuel.

[RedLdr1]

Originally Posted by Still Kickin

Consumption rate is 1 part def to 50 parts fuel.

Keep in mind if you are running a diesel generator it is not using DEF. That will screw up your "fuel to DEF" calculations if you are tracking by the fill up...

[mud yapster]

I'm glad my Ram 3500 has a DEF gauge in it in % remaiining in DEF tank. Doesn't seem to burn any DEF while not towing but when towing our 18,000 5er it drinks it fast like 1 gallon every 500 miles.

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by mud yapster

I'm glad my Ram 3500 has a DEF gauge in it in % remaiining in DEF tank. Doesn't seem to burn any DEF while not towing but when towing our 18,000 5er it drinks it fast like 1 gallon every 500 miles.

Still 1:50 ratio. Towing increases fuel burn per mile, thus increasing def consumption for the miles traveled while towing, because of the lower fuel economy.

As to the diesel generator fuel use, it so small percentage wise when compared to total fuel used.

[grayfox]

FYI

What is the shelf life of DEF? A. Shelf life of DEF is a function of ambient storage temperature. Expectations for shelf life as defined by ISO Spec 22241-3, are the minimum expectations for shelf life when stored at constant temperatures. DEF will degrade in time depending on temperature and exposure to sun light. Stated shelf life is based on continuous exposure to heat and sunlight and continuous exposure is unlikely. If stored between 10 and 90 deg F, shelf life will easily be one year. If the maximum temperature does not exceed approximately 75 deg F for an extended period of time, the shelf life will be two years.