What happens when I run out of DEF?

Funny really that's

 

If you let it go empty, the truck will only go 5mph. I know from experience, but fortunately I was at a terminal when this happened.

 

I add about 6 gallons every second or third fill up.

Don't run it low and never let it run out.
Especially in the winter months . When it's real cold the Def pumps have a tendency to freeze.

 

With a 22 gallon tank, you should be able to get 4000+ miles on a tank. The amount of DEF consumption is directly correlated to you diesel fuel economy.

In my other truck, I was averaging 8.5 MPG in diesel which translated to approx 250 MPH in DEF.

My new truck is currently averaging 8.0 MPG and I'm getting approx 220 MPG in DEF.

I do not know the different DEF capacities that are available, but I would guess that an OTR truck would have a MINIMUM of a 10 gallon tank. So even at 150 MPG rate on DEF, that over 1000 miles of travel.

There is really no excuse to run it below 1/4 tank or even run out. Unless you have an issue with the gauge, I simply chalk that up to driver neglect.

 

Based on my miles with now three DEF trucks, these numbers are accurate. I never let the DEF go below 1/2. No reason to, I agree.

 

From my understanding, the system will crystallize the lines . Drop some on the ground and see what it does. Once you see the results, that is most likely what will happen to the lines. DONT RUN OUT, or you might end up with a expensive repair bill.

 

DEF is uric acid and water, if you run out, all you need is a gallon pee bottle filled with prime time driver liquid gold and some tap water. Good to go until the next stop....

 

And how much is this fuel economy the liquid way costing?

Learn something every day. But sometimes I ask questions and that is what brings on trouble some days.

 

DEF - Liquid Gold ?
Urea
u·re·a

noun
BIOCHEMISTRY

1. a colorless crystalline compound that is the main nitrogenous breakdown product of protein metabolism in mammals and is excreted in urine.
2. Urea serves an important role in the metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds by animals and is the main nitrogen-containing substance in the urine of mammals. It is a colorless, odorless solid, highly soluble in water, and practically non-toxic (LD50 is 15 g/kg for rats). Dissolved in water, it is neither acidic nor alkaline. The body uses it in many processes, most notably nitrogen excretion.

Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) is an aqueous urea solution made with 32.5% urea and 67.5% deionized water.

Humans (Mammals) produce Urea naturally .... Basically the stuff you buy for your truck SCR emission control is almost the same as what we flush on a daily basis.

 

Empty one of your piss bottles in to your def tank.