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Menards FVP DEF


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Anyone used the FVP DEF from Menards? It has the Certified ISO 22241 stamp on the package so I am assuming its safe and meets all regulations. Its a pretty good price along with the 11% rebate.

 

Are all ISO 22241 DEFs equal?

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From GM:

Q & A

Q. Where can you purchase DEF?

 

A. DEF is available at GM dealerships and most major truck stop chains. GM DEF is available in a variety of package sizes to service both individual consumers and fleets, including 3.78 and 9.46 L (1 and 2.5 gal) jugs, 208 L (55 gal) drums and 1249 L (330 gal) totes.

The GM part numbers are:

  • 1 gallon (P/N 19286291) (U.S.), 88862660 (Canada)
  • 2.5 gallon (P/N 19286292) (U.S.), 88863524 (Canada)
  • 55 gallon Drum (P/N 88863494) (U.S.), 88863496 (Canada)
  • 330 gallon Tote (P/N 88863495) (U.S.); tote not available in Canada

If purchasing DEF outside of a dealership, you must use API-certified or ISO 22241 labeled DEF. If you need assistance locating DEF, the U.S. Department of Energy has a DEF locator on its website that is regularly updated. You can visit the website at: afdc.energy.gov/afdc/locator/def/.

 

Q. Will DEF freeze?

A. Yes, DEF will freeze—at approximately −11°C (12ºF)

 

Q. Does DEF expand when it freezes and if so, how does it impact the tank?

A. Yes, DEF expands when it freezes. The vehicle’s DEF tank and all DEF packaging is designed to accommodate any expansion that may result from being frozen if the tank is not overfilled

 

Q. Can a freeze-point improver be added to the DEF to keep it from freezing?

A. No, doing so would alter the DEF mixture balance potentially triggering an “EXHAUST FLUID QUALITY POOR” DIC message.

 

Q. Does DEF have a limited shelf life?

A. DEF has a limited shelf life related to temperature (see chart below). It is best stored out of direct sunlight between -11°C (12ºF) and 30°C (86ºF).

 

 

The biggest thing is shelf life. Always check the manufactured date on the jug. GM stamps It right on the back. Stored at temps over 95F can severely shorten the life of the DEF to less than 6 months. Kept between 50-86F allows for a 6 month (@86F) to 36 month (@50F) shelf life. Checking the manufacture date will help ensure you get a quality jug.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Yep, that's the key... shelf life. DEF will deteriorate over time. I wouldn't touch DEF that is over 6 mo old.

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  • 1 month later...

Would add, DEF is going for around $1.85 a gallon at commercial truck dealership shops and heavy truck lube shops. I just priced it at my local Housby Mack dealership and my tire dealer, Allied Tire. Both at $1.85 and will fill up any DEF tank on any vehicle you bring in. A lot of guys with pickups needing DEF stop in and fill at these locations. Try similar locations and see if you can't also find a good buy like that. You know the heavy commercial vehicle DEF is the right stuff for your SCR system. The commercial guys don't play fast and loose with such stuff, and the volumes of DEF they go thru, you are always going to get the freshest DEF you can find. Just one heavy commercial truck takes anywhere from 21-28 gallons of DEF per tank. At a commercial truck facility, that equates to lot of DEF. I know Housby and Allied get their DEF in 275 gallon totes and dispense from it.

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AT over 100,000 miles I've only bought 2 jugs of DEF the rest has come from truck stop pumps, $13.00 the other day to fill it up. The only bad thing is filling under hood but if you pull up close to the pump its not to bad, it's a lot better than trying to pour from the jug into the truck!!! :jester:

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  • 3 weeks later...

From GM:

 

The biggest thing is shelf life. Always check the manufactured date on the jug. GM stamps It right on the back. Stored at temps over 95F can severely shorten the life of the DEF to less than 6 months. Kept between 50-86F allows for a 6 month (@86F) to 36 month (@50F) shelf life. Checking the manufacture date will help ensure you get a quality jug.

I am so green on all of this. So if the outside air temp is really hot, like where I live, can it impact the ability of the DEF to do its job???

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I am so green on all of this. So if the outside air temp is really hot, like where I live, can it impact the ability of the DEF to do its job???

 

As far as like buying two jugs, and leaving them in your truck, but not using them for say all of the hot summer? Yes. It does hamper the shelf life significantly. If you leave a jug at your house say, somewhere inside the house would be better to keep it instead of in the hot garage. When we first started stocking the stuff (GM dealer) we had to throw out a couple 2.5 gallon jugs because they sat all summer in back (no a/c). They were dated February 2012 fill date, and by the time September rolled around, they were junk.

 

Once its in the tank and being used? No problem.

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Once its in the tank and being used? No problem.

This gets to a key question for me, and one that you seem to address, but I'd appreciate confirmation: I generally don't drive more than 7-8,000 miles per year, though that varies. Once the DEF is in the truck's DEF tank under the hood, can it "go bad" if it is not consumed within a year?

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This gets to a key question for me, and one that you seem to address, but I'd appreciate confirmation: I generally don't drive more than 7-8,000 miles per year, though that varies. Once the DEF is in the truck's DEF tank under the hood, can it "go bad" if it is not consumed within a year?

 

It very well could yes. We don't fill them when they come off the truck (brand new trucks) until delivery because they sit for unknown periods of time on the lot until they are sold. I'd say you would be okay, best time for you to fill would be summer or late summer to keep the fresh DEF from seeing too much heat. The DEF system on these does monitor for DEF quality, so if there is an issue, a check engine light, or DEF warning message will appear.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Th

 

This gets to a key question for me, and one that you seem to address, but I'd appreciate confirmation: I generally don't drive more than 7-8,000 miles per year, though that varies. Once the DEF is in the truck's DEF tank under the hood, can it "go bad" if it is not consumed within a year?

Duramax trucks use about 1.25 gallons of def per 100 gallons of fuel.

 

Typically this is 1000 -1200 miles per gal of def.

 

If you are going to use the commonly available 2.5 gallons jugs, I'd recommend just adding 1 at a time. The truck will warn you well in advance. Don't worry about finding it on the road, def is available at all busy diesel locations - both bulk and jugs.

 

There is no need to fill the tank completely if you annual usage is low.

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