DEF tank not filled at dealership on new truck

lpabsolute · July 2, 2017

Hey guys. Only had my new truck a few weeks now. Love it. I was told by my dealer that the DEF was filled at dealership. But wouldn't you know, I just put 1000 miles on it and guess what.....a Warning light comes on the dash saying I've got 300 miles left of Fluid. When I go into my settings it shows the Fluid level at 20%. Guess it wasn't filled at the dealership like I was told. My question as I'm new to a Diesel truck. What kind of fluid should I put in, like what name brand. I was told not to use "blue def". Also I was under the assumption that the DEF should only need to be topped off when you get your regular oil change service. Anything I need to know before or during adding the fluid. I believe it's in u dear the hood on passenger side. Thanks !

Chris2087 · July 2, 2017

Blue DEF is fine, usually in the $11 range at Walmart. I usually wait till the 20% warning to refill. The thing is that DEF will "expire" so try to use fresh stock and avoid stockpiling it too long. Now most truck stops have bulk pumps to refill with, which I use when I am not at the warning level yet and I am getting ready to take a longer road trip.

enmity02 · July 2, 2017

What truck stops are you going to that you can use their DEF pump? The ones I have gone to have a nozzle the size of standard truck nozzles, one it's too large and the rate it would come out would exceed the amount the intake hose could even take.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Lgetz · July 2, 2017

Been using the SuperTech Wally World DEF, Buckees Brand DEF or pump DEF fluid for the Denali HD tow vehicle and no ill effects. Any of these 3 options run way less than Blue DEF.

redwngr · July 2, 2017

I've never heard of any DEF that is not made to the same ISO spec.

ISO 22241-1

Source it where it is convenient and as pointed out above, not likely to be 'old'.

FWIW, complaints about 'def not filled at delivery' have been very very common since 2011.

2017HD · July 2, 2017

Your first two years of DEF should be on GM as part of the free oil change program, it should also have been full from the selling dealer - go back and demand they fill the tank.

SMiller · July 2, 2017

Your first two years of DEF should be on GM as part of the free oil change program, it should also have been full from the selling dealer - go back and demand they fill the tank.

This

revrnd · July 3, 2017

Talking to my brother & another chap that both have '16 Dmaxes, towing load will change the frequency of the fillups.

jhplak325 · July 3, 2017

Your first two years of DEF should be on GM as part of the free oil change program, it should also have been full from the selling dealer - go back and demand they fill the tank.

Only at time of free oil change and anything in between is on you.

newdude · July 3, 2017

Go back and show them what's going on. They are supposed to fill it at delivery, doesn't hurt to ask (politely) for them to fill it for you.

GM recommends the GM stuff, but if you use any other brands, make sure it is fresh. DEF does have a shelf life. They usually have a date printed on the bottle, the date the jug was "manufactured" if you will.

lpabsolute · July 3, 2017

I agree with everyone that it should have been added at the dealership. Its funny because when purchasing the truck the manager who i was purchasing the truck from made such a big deal about how he fills all the trucks before they leave. "Nothing makes a customer mad like leaving my dealership and going on a trip to find out their truck is not full of DEF".....almost his exact words. i have spoken to him about it and he said for me to buy some and he would pay me back when i go back for my 1st oil change. The dealership i purchased my truck is 2.5 hours away or i would have just drove there. I went to an auto parts store and bout some. It took the whole 2 1/2 gallons and prob could of used more as it never got full. when i cranked the truck up this morning the light was off so i guess i'm good for now. just curious as to why he told me NOT to use "Blue DEF"

newdude · July 3, 2017

I agree with everyone that it should have been added at the dealership. Its funny because when purchasing the truck the manager who i was purchasing the truck from made such a big deal about how he fills all the trucks before they leave. "Nothing makes a customer mad like leaving my dealership and going on a trip to find out their truck is not full of DEF".....almost his exact words. i have spoken to him about it and he said for me to buy some and he would pay me back when i go back for my 1st oil change. The dealership i purchased my truck is 2.5 hours away or i would have just drove there. I went to an auto parts store and bout some. It took the whole 2 1/2 gallons and prob could of used more as it never got full. when i cranked the truck up this morning the light was off so i guess i'm good for now. just curious as to why he told me NOT to use "Blue DEF"

Could be quality? Perhaps they've had trucks with DEF system troubles with it?

2017 Duramax have a 7 gallon DEF tank, so you should be able to squeeze almost another 4-5 gallons in.

redwngr · July 3, 2017

just curious as to why he told me NOT to use "Blue DEF"

When the '11's were having their issues before the programming was sorted out there was a lot of 'misinformation' about def quality and sources.

(I followed this because I purchased an LML soon after they became available)

Like many other things today, once the rumors get started they seem to live forever.

DEF does have a shelf life, which is shorter if stored in the sunlight and at high temps (so a jug from the window display might be a bad idea). Often the manufacture date is coded into a number on the box/container. Purchase from a location that moves lots and you will likely have not issues.

GM literature indicated the LML should use about 1.25 to 1.5 gallons of DEF per 100 gallons of fuel. DEF is consumed whenever it is running -- the harder it works the more fuel and the more def....

2017HD · July 4, 2017

The light would go out as soon as the level is past the sensor. This is where it would be nice if GM had a real gauge. Or at least a second sensor showing the tank is full. According to the manual, at the 1000mi warning you should need to add about 3.8gal. The total capacity is 7.5 Gal so the 1000 mi warning is a little over 1/2 tank.

Currently I have a little over 2200 mi and have not seen the DEF warning. My driving has been a mix of city, hy lighr and about 500 mi of towing my 7800lb TT. MPG around 11 towing, 22hy, and 14 city

HeliMark · July 4, 2017

Between towing (9K load), and not, I average just shy of 1 gallon of DEF every 1K miles. When I get around 4K miles after the last fill, I hit the Wal-Mart and buy the 2 1/2 and a 1 gallon jug of the Super Tech DEF and fill the tank. Making sure I get the freshest date. The DEF pumps at the truck stops are a pain with Chevy putting the the fill up on the right side.

Mark