3.0L and Bulk DEF filling.

redwngr · November 27, 2020

Got a pleasant surprise when filling the 3.0L from a bulk def pump.

Truck is still under 800 miles.

Wasn't filled at delivery (this dealer used to do that, but doesn't now). DEF indicator was on or 2 LED's above 1/2. (I don't care about the indicator, having learned to manage DEF on the 2011, that didn't even the' DEF level OK message' system that later LML's and the 2017-2019 L5P used)

Anyway, in order to be able to get a more accurate estimate of how much DEF it is consuming I decided today was the day to visit a bulk location (truck stop) and fill the DEF tank.

(fwiw, indicator had moved to the 50% level)

With the under hood fill system on the 2011 thru 2019 6.6 dmax's there was a catch tray around the fill point.

It was easy to spill some there from jugs. The bulk pumps worked better with the bulk nozzles, but still wasn't not perfect as the location was a stretch.

I found that the def fill beside the fuel fill was a MUCH bigger improvement than expected. (not needing a step stool is the first improvement)

Truck stop had lots of lanes, no highway trucks were waiting, and a couple lanes were open. (Black Friday after all)

Go in and do the prepay thing..

Bulk nozzle just slips into the opening in the fill tube.

It was a noisy location, lots of idling trucks at the other fuel lanes).

As I filled I realized there was not way I could hear the fluid in the fill tube, so I'm concernd about the possibility of splashback.

I considered getting my ear closer to the nozzle -- but what if it splashes back?

I'm thinking that if it splashes back my clothes are getting wet...

Next thought was ok, if it splashes on my new truck or clothes, what is going to be the best way to wash it down -- water works, but no hose nearby. I guess I could go in and get a bottle of water if necessary.

Anyway the nozzle clicked off with ZERO splash back. I released handle and squeezed again to be sure it was full. Clicked again, right away.

I did get a drop on the plastic around the fill point when I took out the nozzle.

Put the nozzle away, wiped up the drip.

Record the odometer reading so mpg can be calculated after next def fill and we're done.

Gotta admit, that I liked the old system where the def fill was at a separate location from fuel, to reduce the possibility of wrong fluid in wrong filler.

This new fill point worked so slick that I'm now a convert. (although I haven't tried using it with jugs....and I'm not planning to either)

CamGTP · November 27, 2020

The pre-pay thing is what got me.

You can't swipe your card at the pump?

redwngr · November 28, 2020

5 hours ago, CamGTP said:

The pre-pay thing is what got me.

You can't swipe your card at the pump?

Not yet in the truck lanes at this truck stop. (I think it might be different if you have a fleet card of some sort)

Not sure if that's because typical highway truck fuel and def purchases are going to be many times larger than what gets put in pickups.

Same location has pay at pump for the auto fuel islands.

No bulk def at the auto fuel islands, but boxes/jugs of def inside.

Locally, DEF seems to be cheaper at bulk pump. I'm old, cheap and have time so the walk doesn't bother me.

I usually run the def level close to empty, (one time I ran the 2018 6.6 all they way to empty just to see have the warnings worked), so at it's not many times per year.

Edited November 28, 2020 by redwngr

CamGTP · November 28, 2020

That is kinda weird.

I usually fill up at the truck stop right next to my job for the Freightliner truck I drive a lot, I can swipe the card at the pump but it has no receipt printer. So I have walk inside just to get that for the logs, it only bugs me a little. I should take a picture of the fuel gauge on this truck when it's still got 15-18 gallons left, it's buried past empty but I can keep going lol. For a 2019 model year they sure don't want any idiot running out of fuel when the low light comes on with nearly 35 gallons left in it.

ian cloutier · November 28, 2020

Fill mine at the UFA truck stop, pay on the pump, so easy, fill up the diesel and DEF and gone! Last a long time unless your towing something really heavy