Diesel Exhaust Fluid - DEF - Questions on usage

77282 Views 32 Replies 22 Participants Last post by tdnHuntley, Aug 31, 2021

awdboost

Discussion Starter · Jan 12, 2014

Hello everyone,

We just purchased a new 2014 Ecodiesel Jeep Grand Cherokee. We had some very cold days and my wife would let the jeep warm up 5-10 min before driving it. Since this is my wife's car she never looked at the DEF gauge. To be honest, I never look at the gauge on delivery of the Jeep. I drove it 4 days later and to my surprise the gauge showed 45% left after only 210 miles total. My concern is we called the Crystal lake, IL Jeep dealer and asked if they would look at the Jeep because I didn't think this was normal or it may have been an honest mistake and they may have forgotten to top it off. To not draw out the story, the GM George was very rude and condescending to both me and my wife and offered to give us 1 or 2 gallons for free. Saying we should read our manual and this was normal. Even though the manual shows that fill up is needed every 10,000 miles.

My questions to everyone:

- How long is the DEF fluid lasting for people?
- Is the GM correct in saying all the extra idling caused the fluid to drop so drastically?

Last note for all our Jeep sisters and brothers- I would never recommend purchasing a Jeep from Chrystal lake, IL Jeep after my experience.

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

MDBones

· #2 · Jan 12, 2014 (Edited)

Based on what others have said out here (which I agree with) a new vehicle is supposed to have all fluid levels checked and topped off. That includes the DEF tank. That is part of new vehicle delivery prep which you're already paying for.

There's no way your wife used +50% of DEF merely by letting the vehicle idle and warm up. You're dealer is full of crap if he's telling you this is "normal"... he just won't admit that they "forgot" to top off the DEF tank prior to you taking delivery. Since they also sell Ram trucks there it's not like they don't know anything about diesel-equipped vehicles.

Look at it this way... if the manual says the DEF should last approximately X miles before it needs to be refilled, wouldn't it stand to reason that the time a vehicle spends idling during those X miles isn't taken into consideration?

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Casper

· #3 · Jan 12, 2014 (Edited)

awdboost said:
Hello everyone,

We just purchased a new 2014 Ecodiesel Jeep Grand Cherokee. We had some very cold days and my wife would let the jeep warm up 5-10 min before driving it. Since this is my wife's car she never looked at the DEF gauge. To be honest, I never look at the gauge on delivery of the Jeep. I drove it 4 days later and to my surprise the gauge showed 45% left after only 210 miles total. My concern is we called the Crystal lake, IL Jeep dealer and asked if they would look at the Jeep because I didn't think this was normal or it may have been an honest mistake and they may have forgotten to top it off. To not draw out the story, the GM George was very rude and condescending to both me and my wife and offered to give us 1 or 2 gallons for free. Saying we should read our manual and this was normal. Even though the manual shows that fill up is needed every 10,000 miles.

My questions to everyone:

- How long is the DEF fluid lasting for people?
- Is the GM correct in saying all the extra idling caused the fluid to drop so drastically?

Last note for all our Jeep sisters and brothers- I would never recommend purchasing a Jeep from Chrystal lake, IL Jeep after my experience.

I should be receiving mine this week and I expect aprox 5 gallons of DEF to be in it. I believe the vehicle runs on a 49/1 mix diesel/DEf. So the question would be how many gallons of diesel have you used and not how many miles you have gone. My wife warms our car for upwards to 15 min before we take a 10 min ride to work. I go through a lot of gas in the winter because of that. I thinking maybe the heated seats and steering wheel will cut back on that. But probably not. On the brighter side an idling diesel is supposed to use 30% less fuel than a idling gas engine.

leegreen

· #4 · Jan 12, 2014

I added DEF at 5000 miles, when the gauge was less than 1/4. I think the manual says the 8 gallon tank of DEF should last about 6000 miles.

So it appears your dealer did not fill it, and no one check the gauge.

These Jeeps are very new and different to most sales people and service at dealerships. I had the dealer get me the block heater cable, just $60. But it took Jeep service 3 hours to figure out where to plug it in, and how to route the wire.

ang1sgt

· #5 · Jan 13, 2014

First post so forgive me.

I have driven Class A diesel trucks for a good long while. Got out of driving due to vision issues a few years back before DEF was around.

You have to be careful when you get a new diesel vehicle that the dealers are not up to speed with. This sounds like a classic case of that. Most likely the dealership has no tank of DEF kicking around so they have to buy it from a parts store. Most parts stores are starting to sell this over the counter and it would be a good thing to have some of your own in the garage just in case.

In most cases, these vehicles will go into limp mode if they don't have DEF in their tank. Some may not even start due to the tank being empty.

I am starting to look for one of these Jeeps now. I currently own a Diesel Golf TDI which I love, but would like the comfort of a larger vehicle. The VW's have had issues with customers and service stations adding the wrong fuel to their vehicle. One wrong fuel up in one of the VW's and it will trash the fuel system to the tune of well over $6K. I double and triple check the nozzle and pump before I begin pumping FUEL.

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Tnsee894

· #6 · Jan 14, 2014

Alot of truck stops like Flying J are advertising selling DEF from a pump at a savings to buying the bottles.

ang1sgt

· #7 · Jan 19, 2014

I do know most Auto Parts stores carry DEF Fluid. AZ (Parts Store) carries the DEF Blue in 2.5 gallon containers and is currently $14.99. It goes on sale like every other month for like $12.99. The problem I see with this size is adding it to the vehicle. A 2.5 gallons of this stuff is not lite weight and getting the spout into the hole and keeping it there could be a problem. I don't have this problem YET but I'll think up something when the time comes.

awdboost

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 19, 2014

Thank you everyone for the help. I did get confirmation from a Diesel tech at Jeep. Chrysler delivers the diesel Grand Cherokees to the dealer with only half a tank of DEF. It is the dealers responsibility to top it off on delivery. Further more, on average this should last you 10K miles depending on use.

After complaining about this to Chrysler, I did get a call back from Sal the Service manager at that location we purchased the jeep from, stating that he apologized and this was incorrect and George was not a GM. (Even though he stated this multiple times on the phone) We went to a different dealer. Gurnee Dodge stepped up and filled our DEF for free. Going forward, they well have all of my business.

MDBones

· #9 · Jan 19, 2014

LMAO... I'd run from any dealership who had a service manager named Sal.

czonio

· #10 · Jan 22, 2014

Can someone tell me where the DEF Gauge is located?

mazster43

· #11 · Jan 22, 2014

czonio said:
Can someone tell me where the DEF Gauge is located?

It's in the EVIC under vehicle information. Use the steering wheel buttons up and down to get to the screen "vehicle information". The use the left and right buttons to find the DEF level.

czonio

· #12 · Jan 22, 2014

Thanks!

Jeff5280

· #13 · Feb 27, 2014

My 2014 Grand Cherokee DEF tank was 1/2 full when I picked it up. Not sure the dealer even knew to check. I have 4000 miles now and I am guessing I getting 1000 to 1200 miles out of a gallon of DEF. That fits the 10,000 mile scenario out of a full tank fairly well. I am using the Peak Blue DEF from the parts store. Like the other post it is $15.00 per 2.5 gallons.

Casper

· #14 · Feb 27, 2014 (Edited)

Jeff5280 said:
My 2014 Grand Cherokee DEF tank was 1/2 full when I picked it up. Not sure the dealer even knew to check. I have 4000 miles now and I am guessing I getting 1000 to 1200 miles out of a gallon of DEF. That fits the 10,000 mile scenario out of a full tank fairly well. I am using the Peak Blue DEF from the parts store. Like the other post it is $15.00 per 2.5 gallons.

I'm thinking hours would be a better way than miles to measure DEF usage. It's been really cold here resulting in a lot of idling while warming up. One of the trip meters shows hours and miles, maybe both meters. DEF usage for me in the north with a 4 mile commutes will probably differ from someone in the south with a 30 mile commute. My understanding is two gal per 100 diesel or 50/1. Like the gas to oil for my first dirt bike.

Jeff5280

· #15 · Feb 28, 2014

On your electronic dash / instrument panel. I think they refer to this in the manual as the EVIC. Use the arrow keys on the left side of the steering wheel. Use the up / down keys to get to the Vehicle Info. page. Then use the left / right arrow keys to find the DEF page. Hope this helps.

Casper

· #16 · Feb 28, 2014

I know where the DEF meter is....I'm implying that since the vehicles uses DEF when its not moving that hours running might be a better way to measure. And I saw a hours meter on one of the trip meter, A I think.... I would have to check the B... I do not know if it resets when the meter is reset, I'm thinking probably yes.... I have also noted the the DEF meter is erratic. fluctuating by an easy 10%. I suppose its even possible that DEF usage is inversely proportional to diesel usage. i.e. the faster you go the less per gallon you use. Once again just speculation..... I mean after all before I bought this Limited I could't even spell Cherokee..... and my great grandmother was one.

EricM

· #17 · May 9, 2014

A number of factors will impact NOx emissions and consequently DEF usage. In general, cooler ambient temps (which create cooler combustion temps) and lighter loads = lower NOx emissions. Towing a trailer in hot weather will use more.

Bogeyman2B

· #18 · May 15, 2014

We had our first LOF at 4500 miles and the DEF was nearly empty.
Dealer only had 5 gallons and that brought us up to 60%.
I did buy the Mopar branded DEF at nearly $15.00 per gallon.
I have been researching this product and Brenntag is most likely the largest producer of DEF under many brand names...ALL exact same ISO 22241 (I believe that was the spec number)

mox

· #19 · May 30, 2014 (Edited)

mazster43 said:
It's in the EVIC under vehicle information. Use the steering wheel buttons up and down to get to the screen "vehicle information". The use the left and right buttons to find the DEF level.

2014 Grand Cherokee Overland: My owners manual does not mention DEF at all and when scrolling through the "Vehicle Information" menu it does not have the DEF level guage.

Does Jeep do different spec'ed vehicles for export? In South Africa our emmisions control are not as stringent as in the US or Europe, could this be the reason?

MDBones

· #20 · May 31, 2014

Quite possible, mox. You may not have that system over there. If so, consider yourself lucky!

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

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