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DEF fluid

76zimmer

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With different levels of Additives available in some brands, is there any pros or cons to running cheap stuff as opposed to “platinum” level DEF?
Going in a 24 Duramax 2500.
 
....... :thinking:
Buy a new truck ?

As for the question, I personally don't know. I quit diesels when DEF became a thing lol.
 
My son in laws truck!
Thanks for the advice brothers!
 
Apparently it freezes. Heard from a few guys in our last cold snap that their trucks were all messed up and either wouldn't run or were in limp modes. I personally don't mess with diesel. Maybe the more expensive DEF has additives to counter the cold?

From the web:
The freezing point of DEF is 12 degrees Fahrenheit and -11 degrees Celsius. If you’re driving in low temperatures, it’s important to leave some room in the DEF tank. If the DEF tank is completely full, when it freezes, the water in it will expand and could crack the tank.

Sounds really stupid to use such a fluid in North America.
 
DEF headers are equipped with heaters that should keep that from happening….at work we’ve had it slushy at -20 but never frozen solid…..if the truck is running the tank is heated through the header but if it’s parked all bets are off
 
GM used to say only use GM def when they first started using it. But we saw no difference between the GM stuff, Blue or any other brand. They backed off the buy GM only stance after a few years. Only thing I remember GM technical assistance really stressing is not using the pump fill up locations at big truck stops. It had to do with more chance for crud contaminating from the nozzle and the big trucks have looser tolerances for stuff like that.

Biggest key to buying def is get the freshest you can by date code on the box and don’t buy the stuff that’s been stacked up outside, or right in the front window of the gas station or part store. As said before it’s effected by heat and up exposure.
 
I'm pretty sure the additives are far less important than making sure its FRESH. That shit expires and crystalizes, in your truck.
 
Pretty much all has been said, just confirming since I had plenty of experience with them.
Definitely no additives in them, the heater works as long as the engine is running that's why truckers keep idling in really cold areas, heats the DEF and the cab.
As for filling at a truck stop vs buying jugs, the truck stop turn over is a lot faster so it's always fresh, but small pickups don't use much so no idea if it's worth it, but it's a lot cheaper.
You could fill a jug you already have and you know you started with only one day old.
As for if it sits a long time it will crystallize but it's easy to clean, straight water cleans it.
 
I just fill the wife's Suburban at the pump in town. I HATE dealing with the jugs. I bought an electric pump at the farm so I could quit dealing with them there. The combine drinks that garbage.

Martin
 
I just fill the wife's Suburban at the pump in town. I HATE dealing with the jugs. I bought an electric pump at the farm so I could quit dealing with them there. The combine drinks that garbage.

Martin

So what your saying is 1 DEF supply chuan disruption and we all starve ?
 
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