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09-25-2020, 08:03 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 483
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DEF, is there really any difference in quality?
Just wondering if there is any difference in the quality of DEF fluids between brands.
BlueDEF is typically around $13 for 2.5 gallon box at my local Lowes/Home Depot. Slightly more at local service stations. Tractor Supply offers an unfamiliar brand for $10 for 2.5 gallons. I'm sure there are others. And I have read some fill it at truck stops.
Are there different quality and performance benefits? Has anyone found one to be better/inferior to others?
I'm mainly asking because I just got an email from AutoZone introducing BlueDEF Platinum for $20 and curious in anyone thinks that would be worth.
Honestly, I'd be fine with TS $10 box if its the same as the others.
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-Brian
2020 Isata 5 30FW 4x4
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
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09-25-2020, 08:08 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Carlisle, Arkansas
Posts: 1,387
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WalMart has it for $7.95 per 2.5 gal jug
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2005 Cedar Creek 30RLBS/TrailAir Hitch/ MORryde 7K IS/Disc Brakes/ PI PT-50 EMS/ RV Flex Armor Roof
2015 RAM 3500 DRW 6.7 Cummins 3.42/ Garmin 760RV
40 Gal TransferFlow fuel tank/ TST 507
Amateur Radio W5CI 2019 Days Camping 25
2020 Days Camping 7
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09-25-2020, 08:35 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 223
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As long as it meets ISO22241 or is API certified and is not expired, I dont see any difference. Some brands get the API certification, but its voluntary.
I moved away from the jugs and buy bulk at around $3 a gal from truck stops. Generally pretty easy to find the bulk DEF at these spots. Just pull around to the truck pumps to get DEF.
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Aaron
2019 DX3 36FK
All Electric w/Cab Over
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09-25-2020, 08:37 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,990
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vansteenburg
As long as it meets ISO22241 or is API certified and is not expired, I dont see any difference. Some brands get the API certification, but its voluntary.
I moved away from the jugs and buy bulk at around $3 a gal from truck stops. Generally pretty easy to find the bulk DEF at these spots. Just pull around to the truck pumps to get DEF.
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Echo what he said ^
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2016 Dynamax DX3 - Big Blue
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09-25-2020, 08:41 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Alberta - East of the Rockies, West of the Rest
Posts: 1,785
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Don't pay extra for fancy packaging, I have yet to find a brand that's better than the other.
When buying at certain big box stores, make sure the seal isn't broken.
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2018 RAM 5500 Laramie CC
Sold: Riverstone Legacy 38RE, 960 Watt Solar, 6x6 Volt AGM Battery Bank, Freedom SW 3012 Inv/Charger
Ordered: 2021....
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09-25-2020, 08:47 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 483
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vansteenburg
As long as it meets ISO22241 or is API certified and is not expired, I dont see any difference. Some brands get the API certification, but its voluntary.
I moved away from the jugs and buy bulk at around $3 a gal from truck stops. Generally pretty easy to find the bulk DEF at these spots. Just pull around to the truck pumps to get DEF.
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Curious, how do you prevent from overfilling the DEF at truck stops?
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-Brian
2020 Isata 5 30FW 4x4
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
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09-25-2020, 08:55 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Posts: 1,821
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I use the Blue DEF box because I don’t go to truck stops. I can go 800 miles on a 2.5 gal box and I add one box every other day of traveling. I just got 2 boxes for $24 at Tractor Supply on sale. I am sure I could save money, but my convenience is more important to me.
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2021 Isata 5 30FW
2014 Honda CR-V
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09-25-2020, 08:56 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 223
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TrailWayz
Curious, how do you prevent from overfilling the DEF at truck stops?
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The nozzle is snug fitting and trips just like your fuel pump.
You may have to wiggle it to go in, but they will fit. I've found it's pretty much full when it kicks.
Some are more sensitive than others, so sometimes you fill slower if it kicks early. Since I fill after the 3rd light goes out I know its 3-4 gallons of DEF.
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09-25-2020, 09:54 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Posts: 1,135
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Walmart price ends up at $3.20/gal It's easier for me to pay that than go screw around at a truck stop. JMHO.
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2018 DX3 37TS Sunset
2019 Rubicon JLU
2022 RZR Pro 4 Ultimate
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09-25-2020, 11:20 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Contoocook, New Hampshire
Posts: 184
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FOURWHL
Echo what he said ^
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Ditto.
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Sheila and Joe
2021 Dynaquest XL 37RB
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee
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09-25-2020, 01:15 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 200
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Screw around at a truck stop? I pull in, fuel up, and add DEF when needed. Couldn't be simpler and I don't have to worry about the box nozzle fitting snugly so I don't drip DEF all over the compartment, and it's cheaper.
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09-25-2020, 01:26 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 156
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I get my DEF where I get my fuel, at truck stops. Easy and no mess.
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2015 DX3 37TRS - Brutus
B'ham - or at a racetrack
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09-25-2020, 01:28 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 365
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Blue Def, VS Walmart Brand
It is Urea. Period. How much quality does one need for Urea?
It is sprayed into the exhaust, ahead of the Catalyst (SCR). Doesn't go into the engine.
Sole purpose is to reduce COx.
So, quality is a non-issue. Buy the cheap stuff.
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2017 Puma Unleashed, 38 ft.
Dodge Ram 2017, 3500, Dually.
KG5TKV
Tiger Force Medic, 68/69
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09-25-2020, 01:29 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: North Port Florida
Posts: 2,050
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Check the seal/date ... Walmart same as any other.
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Frank & Cindy--- (SOB) 5th Wheel ---2019 Ram 3500 Cummins 6.7 SRW 4x4 8' bed--- Payload 4394------Remi & Sage camping pups---TST 507 TPMS ... B&W Patriot 18K---3.73 axle ... Predator 3500---2019 48 days ---2020 28 days Camping
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09-25-2020, 01:30 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 426
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vansteenburg
The nozzle is snug fitting and trips just like your fuel pump.
You may have to wiggle it to go in, but they will fit. I've found it's pretty much full when it kicks.
Some are more sensitive than others, so sometimes you fill slower if it kicks early. Since I fill after the 3rd light goes out I know its 3-4 gallons of DEF.
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Footnote to that: While you can squeeze and squeeze and squeeze more DEF into your tank, it is not recommended.
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2016 Nike Take Down Wrestling Shoes
42 ft square Dollamur high school wrestling mat
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09-25-2020, 01:33 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: 8000' in CO
Posts: 849
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Not to thread hijack, but here’s a question: What would one consider the “shelf life” of the DEF that’s already in the tank?
Let’s say you have DEF in the tank (like most of us do) and then you store the rig for 5-6 months during the winter. Is that DEF going to be “bad” when you’re ready to hit the road again? It’s a complete pain in the noodle to empty these DEF tanks (without removing them) and I’ve never stored our rig for the winter, but COVID might be changing that this year.
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2019 Dynamax Isata 5 35DB
Audi "Nardo Grey"
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09-25-2020, 01:40 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 444
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What about DEF milage?
Quote:
Originally Posted by milkman55
I use the Blue DEF box because I don’t go to truck stops. I can go 800 miles on a 2.5 gal box and I add one box every other day of traveling. I just got 2 boxes for $24 at Tractor Supply on sale. I am sure I could save money, but my convenience is more important to me.
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I'm curious.. My new (to me) 2018 Sierra supposedly has about a 5 gal DEF tank. We bought the truck in March of this year, I have put about 4k miles on it, and my indicator still says "DEF fluid level ok". Do some diesels use that much more DEF fluid than others? I too have wondered about the quality of different brands as I'm guessing I will need some soon.
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2018 Rockwood Signature Ultra Lite 8311WS
2014 Coachmen Apex 215RBK
2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLT Duramax
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09-25-2020, 01:50 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Pocono Mtns.
Posts: 128
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TRN
I get my DEF where I get my fuel, at truck stops. Easy and no mess.
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Hey TRN, will the truckstop pump nozzles fit a GMC 2500? Or do they have smaller nozzles at a pump alongside them? I always thought those nozzles are too large for standard pickups. I've only had my pu a month, filled DEF from BlueDEF 2.5 gal box.
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2024 Rockwood 2608BS towed by:
2020 GMC 2500HD AT4 w/Duramax 6.6 Diesel
Fastway e2 Equalizer Hitch
Trek Fuel EX7 gen 5
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09-25-2020, 01:53 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,114
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cheapest is just fine, two Duramax, 400,000 total miles, never had a DEF quality issue.
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09-25-2020, 01:56 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,990
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BLT4SPD
Not to thread hijack, but here’s a question: What would one consider the “shelf life” of the DEF that’s already in the tank?
Let’s say you have DEF in the tank (like most of us do) and then you store the rig for 5-6 months during the winter. Is that DEF going to be “bad” when you’re ready to hit the road again? It’s a complete pain in the noodle to empty these DEF tanks (without removing them) and I’ve never stored our rig for the winter, but COVID might be changing that this year.
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I have no scientific evidence, but I've stored mine 3 winters (one with a mid winter trip) and never had any issue leaving DEF in the tank. Unlike the diesel tanks, I dont leave the DEF full since it can freeze but I've never had a problem yet (knock on wood)
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2016 Dynamax DX3 - Big Blue
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