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interesting DEF article

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I am a Freightliner/Detroit Diesel trainer. When I started teaching the class in 2010, I bought DEF for my training engine and testing samples. Last month (October 2015) my class tested this same DEF that I purchased 5 years ago and it still has shows 32.5 % as it did when I got it. Yes, they told us it has a shelf life, but I have yet to see any problems with aging. Keep the lid on the container so it doesn't evaporate and you should be fine. I also have a sample that I have frozen and thawed probably 36 times and it still checks as new.

May I ask what ambient temperature you are storing this five year old DEF? I just got on the Autozone web sight. They sell Peak DEF. A customer purchased some for a Dmax. The bottle had no dates on it. He poured it in and got a "service DEF message". The dealer said the DEF was bad and charged him almost $400.00 to dump, clean the DEF tank.

BTW Mopar DEF has a manufactured date and use by date on the bottle. Only problem is its $10.25 per gallon.
 
May I ask what ambient temperature you are storing this five year old DEF? I just got on the Autozone web sight. They sell Peak DEF. A customer purchased some for a Dmax. The bottle had no dates on it. He poured it in and got a "service DEF message". The dealer said the DEF was bad and charged him almost $400.00 to dump, clean the DEF tank.

BTW Mopar DEF has a manufactured date and use by date on the bottle. Only problem is its $10.25 per gallon.

So something said by someone on the internet..... My 2016 I just have about 4400 miles on it. Def tank got into the red zone yesterday. I just stopped at the local AutoZone and grabbed two 2.5 gallon jugs for $ 25. Went home with the easy pore spout and filled it up. Have about a gallon and a half left sitting in my garage now.

Not complicated, about as easy as adding washer fluid.
 
Yesterday on the Wal Mart Web Site for free pick up at the San Diego Wal Mart it was $19.37 just a moment ago it was $11.97 @ that same store.
 
I know the Walmart DEF is probably fine, I just have a hard time buying anything that's not name brand.

Normally I do too...but, if the sensor recognizes it as DEF, what is there too worry about? Are you thinking maybe it will catalyze .1% less NOX than name brand?

It's a simple mixture, with a simple job and it meets the standard.
 
I know the Walmart DEF is probably fine, I just have a hard time buying anything that's not name brand.

I have to agree with you, but if it's made in the United States of America, or in Mexico or Canada and it's not made in China or Japan at least you are supporting a country in the Americas.
 
Walmart is most likely pricing both the peak Blue DEF and theirs as loss leaders to get us in their stores, so we will buy something else while there. SNOKING
 
Oh gosh, stop thinking so much about this DEF Stuff, just use it, fill it up at the next truck stop and be fine.
In Europe we use the AdBlue since Ten Years now, with absolutely no Problems at all, let it freez, no problem, let it boil in summer, no problem - stop thinking so much about it.
This stuff is no rocket science.

My original posting of the article was not intended to cause alarm. In fact, there are some things mentioned in the article that set me at ease.

For example, I didn't previously know that DEF systems can adjust their usage based on DEF quality. Using more volume of DEF as the quality declines would reduce the likelihood of a "bad def" message on your evic and subsequent limp mode.

It was posted for info sake only. It is not required or assigned reading.

I get a CEL every time my Def gets down to 1/8. So, I do watch it.
 
Every time I see DEF on sale, I figure it's probably been sitting in the store or warehouse a few years.

But I could be wrong. The took the date code off of the PEAK I buy. But I think the store computers know how old it is.
 
When traveling I normally use the truck stops. They have DEF at the pumps. I need to give it a try some time, my only concern is having it all over the side of my truck. The 2.5 containers are so easy to use I just have not ventured outside my comfort zone. Kinda like not buying the WallaCost DEF.
 
I get a CEL every time my Def gets down to 1/8. So, I do watch it.
Why do you live with a known problem when the truck still has warranty remaining??? :confused:

my only concern is having it all over the side of my truck.
I've had a little spillage on my truck's bedside more than once. It won't damage the paint's finish.

Truckstop DEF has a higher turnover, is a lower cost per gallon, is easy to dispense, and the best thing is---one doesn't have to jack around with discarding the jug & box. :-laf
 
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Why do you live with a known problem when the truck still has a warranty remaining?

Because when i took it in before (for a recall), i asked them about it. They said they would start by charging me some exorbitant amount of money for Mopar branded DEF and half hour of labor to fill the DEF tank. If the CEL went away, they would take my money and not see any need to do warranty work. If the CEL stayed, they would run diagnostics and see if anything is wrong.
There is a tech on this forum that says these DEF trucks won't run a diagnostic until after the DEF is filled. I think it was Bob4x4.

My code reader clears CEL's. So i just fill the DEF when it gets low.
 
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