gjohnston7

Thanks @Jeepvkng1 What kind of mileage are you getting now per gallon of DEF?

Hi CampingCPL - Is this a new update or one that was released several months ago?

Hi cr2256, I would take to the dealership and see if it has the software upgrades they have released. That should help fix the gauge issue you are seeing. While my DEF usage isn't great, it is definitely not that bad so I think it probably doesn't have the latest software. Once you have that fixed, if you would track your DEF usage for me, I would really appreciate it. I am trying to figure out if my pickup is one off or if across the installed base, everyone is not getting good mileage per gallon of DEF.

Would you continue to track the mileage? I am wondering if there is something different between the trucks made last fall and this spring. I only get about 500 miles per gallon of DEF even when I don't tow anything.

Take it in to the dealer. It is my understanding that they have two different software upgrades that help with the sensor. It improved the accuracy for me but it is still a long way from perfect. It sure is looking like the 2020 Silverados are getting 300-400 per gallon of DEF. I wish that GM would just come out and say that is going to be how it is if that is really what the expected performance is going to get. I hate the thought of buying a Ram or Ford but this isn't going to work for me. I worry about being caught in the middle of nowhere as well. The dealer said the cheese cloth test is for something different and won't address our issue so no go there.

Thanks CO 2020. I guess I should be happy with my 300 miles per gallon. Hopefully GM will figure out what is going on. I asked my dealer for the grater test that was mentioned earlier. Crickets.

Hi Alan. Thanks for the post. The dealer did give me that but I don't think it is the whole story. My usage when from a gallon of DEF per 1000 miles to 300 miles. That is a huge drop that I don't think matches the regulation changes that I have found in my research. I have friends that have new Fords and Dodges and they are seeing the over 1,000 per DEF like I used to. If it was all attributed to regulatory requirements, I would think the entire industry would be seeing the same impact on usage. I would be interested in what kind of DEF usage you are experiencing. I am trying to figure out if it is just few people that are seeing this kind of usage or if it is much broader across the 2020 Silverado customers.

Thanks Alan! Extremely helpful!

Thanks Curver900. Appreciate the data. All the data I get from other users is extremely helpful. I called corporate and they referred me back to the dealer.

The TSB that the dealership gave me was one that they justified the increase of usage on regulatory changes. When I did a search, it looked the standards changed 10-15%. I assume that is why they went from a 5 gallon to a 7 gallon DEF tank. However, That would not explain why I went from over a 1000 miles per gallon of DEF to 300. Since the system doesn't generate an error code, Chevy says there isn't an issue. Instead of looking at the data and saying that doesn't make sense they are only interested in error codes. Or I would prefer that they come out and say, yup - you are only going to get 300 miles per gallon of DEF.

I agree. I only go about 400 miles and I get the warning that I only have the 999 miles to go. Great that they finally put the DEF by the fuel cap instead of under the hood but they definitely have missed the boat on usage with this generation. They should have made the tank 3 times as big. I think there is something wrong with the design or system. It is a pain to fill DEF all the time.

I am pulling a 24' gooseneck. Loading is about 6,000 pounds. Freeway speeds. Over 4,000 miles. Like I mentioned earlier, it is the exact same loading, route and speeds that I drove with my 2016. With my 2016, I could do the entire 4,000 mile trip and fill-up the DEF tank when I returned. Now it is giving me the 999 mile notice after driving 300-400 miles.

What are other owners of a 2020 Silverado 2500 Duramax getting as far as DEF usage? I have a 2020 Chevy Silverado 2500 Duramax that is only getting about 300 miles to a gallon of DEF. My last pickup was a 2016 Silverado 3500 and I was getting over 1,000 miles to a gallon of DEF. Pulling the exact same trailer, with the same loading, going the same route. Without a trailer, just driving around town I am getting a whopping 400 gallons. I have taken it to the dealer a few times and they say without an error code, there is nothing wrong. They have updated the software a couple of times and given me a bulletin from Chevy that said higher usage might be from changing environmental standards. Looked up the standards and they didn't change that much. I assume that is why they went from 5 gallon tank to 7. Is everyone experiencing this same level of usage with the 2020 or is my "unique"? Or did I have an unusual experience with the 2016? I have only driven Chevy Silverado diesel pickups and have never had any issues but this experience is just about to tip me over the edge and consider something different.