3.0L DEF - only 5000km and a warning?

[just fun]

I had a Ram ecodiesel and would get 15,000Km to a tank of DEF - what's up with the 3.0L getting like 6,500km???

[newdude]

On 3/28/2025 at 1:44 PM, just fun said:

I had a Ram ecodiesel and would get 15,000Km to a tank of DEF - what's up with the 3.0L getting like 6,500km???

 

 

Emissions requirements increased DEF usage over the past few years.

 

Also, here's a couple good reads from GM on DEF consumption rate below.  The second one has some good details on it indicating low but still has DEF in it:

 

Diesel Exhaust Fluid Consumption – TechLink

 

Unable to Fill the DEF Tank – TechLink

Edited June 9, 2025 by newdude

[redwngr]

What size was the tank on the ram ecodiesel?

 

6500km (4000 mi) is less than the range I'm getting -- but DEF usage is a ratio to fuel usage, so depends on the fuel economy.

[Z45]

5,000 miles in 7-months and I only used 2 gallons of DEF. No towing, just normal everyday driving. Mostly 2-lane blacktop so 60 mph is tops.  Fuel quality a factor?   So far the only fuel I have used is Murphy (Walmart).  I do use a fuel additive with every tank, injector cleaner, cetane boost and cold flow improver all in one. 

Edited March 29, 2025 by Z45

[Port Tack Farm]

I'm about the same, I average adding a 2.5 gallon container every 5K miles - basically I plan to add DEF when I change the oil and filter.

[d20todd]

I just had an issue while towing that the DEF said empty when it was in fact full. I was getting speed limiting errors and called the dealer. It is a known issue with a bulletin that they are working on. Kinda freaked me out as this is my first diesel and I only have 2K miles on it.

Edited April 19, 2025 by d20todd
spelling

[Snow White]

On 3/28/2025 at 1:44 PM, just fun said:

I had a Ram ecodiesel and would get 15,000Km to a tank of DEF - what's up with the 3.0L getting like 6,500km???

I still have my 2018 ecodiesel, I'm sure you're aware of the GDE Tune for the Ram, there's also one for the babymax from GDE fyi!!  I'm sure they improved the DEF usage

 

https://greendieselengineering.com/product/gm-1500-lz0-duramax-engine-tune/

 

global b costs a fortune!!  Ecodiesel was $1,000.  $2K for the babymax because of that global b unlocking and gm tracks the flashes lol, i'm from the government, i'm here to help!

Edited April 29, 2025 by Snow White

[just fun]

Added 5 gallons at around 6K km and just got the 1000km warning today at around 12K km - crazy how much it uses - gonna have to get a 6 pack on standby!!! Good thing its gets good fuel mileage at least......

[newdude]

On 4/19/2025 at 3:48 PM, d20todd said:

I just had an issue while towing that the DEF said empty when it was in fact full. I was getting speed limiting errors and called the dealer. It is a known issue with a bulletin that they are working on. Kinda freaked me out as this is my first diesel and I only have 2K miles on it.

 

 

Its how it works.  No fixes for it other than do drive it until you actually see a countdown for low DEF range.  

 

Diesel Exhaust Fluid Consumption – TechLink

 

Unable to Fill the DEF Tank – TechLink

Edited June 9, 2025 by newdude

[redwngr]

7 hours ago, just fun said:

Added 5 gallons at around 6K km and just got the 1000km warning today at around 12K km - crazy how much it uses - gonna have to get a 6 pack on standby!!! Good thing its gets good fuel mileage at least......

 

Def usage should be about 2% of fuel usage.

Did you track your fuel consumption during that period?   If so, what avg mileage is it getting? 

 

And are you running a 6.6 or a 3.0 (or even a 2.8)?

(it would be good to add truck info to avatar and/or signature...)

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 9, 2025 by redwngr

[TJL72]

I just came to say the same thing about a lot of DEF usage on a 3.0 - 10,000km and have added 5 gallons after the full tank when purchased and below half already - at 10L/100km I should be at 20L DEF  used by that calc but am more like 30-35?  I also had a RAM eco and saw 12K-13K before needing to put any in?

[redwngr]

4 hours ago, TJL72 said:

I just came to say the same thing about a lot of DEF usage on a 3.0 - 10,000km and have added 5 gallons after the full tank when purchased and below half already - at 10L/100km I should be at 20L DEF  used by that calc but am more like 30-35?  I also had a RAM eco and saw 12K-13K before needing to put any in?

What fuel mileage is the truck giving?

[TJL72]

2 hours ago, redwngr said:

What fuel mileage is the truck giving?

10-11 L/100KM or 25-22 MPG. Gets to 9L or 26 MPG on longer runs w no traffic but thats not driving easy.

[Rick_]

On 3/28/2025 at 1:34 PM, redwngr said:

What size was the tank on the ram ecodiesel?

 

6500km (4000 mi) is less than the range I'm getting -- but DEF usage is a ratio to fuel usage, so depends on the fuel economy.

The RAM Ecodiesel DEF tank capacity is 8 gallons.  I could go almost a year without filling it on my '17 ECO; GDE tune and 3-4000 miles towing a 5500lb boat, doing about 12-15k miles/year.

My '22 1500 LM2 gets maybe 3600-4800 miles between DEF fills.  The tank capacity is 5.3 gallons which explains part of the fill frequency difference between the LM2 and the Ecodiesel.   

[TJL72]

Still seem to be higher than most ....am at 19,000km, used full from new tank, plus 4 boxes and have low warning again. That is approx 15gal/60L of DEF so far???? at 2% of fuel should be 40L I think???