Average DEF expense

Crazy how when you think buying a new truck you'll get better MPG, but nobody
Mentions the cost of def and it's maintnence. Does anybody have operating cost of fuel and def on newer trucks at per mile rate? I'm curious

 

I drove one truck as a company driver few years ago before all the pumps had them. It was $14-$15 a gallon in the bottle! I forget how many gallons it held but it was annoying always having 2-3 bottles extra cause you never know where you might go and a place might not have it. Now o see that it's like 2.70/gallon on pumps I think.

 

What about -30*F in Wyoming? It won't freeze?

 

Q. What is the freeze point of DEF? A. A 32.5% solution of DEF will begin to crystallize and freeze at 12 deg F (-11 deg C). At 32.5%, both the urea and water will freeze at the same rate, ensuring that as it thaws, the fluid does not become diluted, or over concentrated. The freezing and unthawing of DEF will not cause degradation of the product.

Q. Does DEF expand when frozen? A. Yes, DEF expands by approximately 7% when frozen. DEF packaging and tanks are designed to allow for expansion

Q. How do I keep the DEF from freezing? What happens if the DEF freezes in the tank on the vehicle? A. During vehicle operation, SCR systems are designed to provide heating for the DEF tank and supply lines. If DEF freezes when the vehicle is shut down, start up and normal operation of the vehicle will not be inhibited. The SCR heating system is designed to quickly return the DEF to liquid form and the operation of the vehicle will not be impacted. The freezing and unthawing of DEF will not cause degradation of the product.

Q. Can an anti-gelling or freeze point improver be added to the DEF to prevent it from freezing? A. No. While an additive could improve freeze point of the mixture, the 32.5% solution is very specific to providing NOx reducing properties. Any further blending or adjusting of the DEF mixture will impede its ability to perform correctly and may cause damage to the SCR components. Additives of any type are not approved for use in DEF today. If the ISO standards should change to allow antifreeze additives, Cummins Filtration will ensure our product continues to meet ISO requirements.

Source: https://www.cumminsfiltration.com/pdfs/product_lit/americas_brochures/MB10033.pdf

 

Last year someplace in North Dakota was - 20f, idle was not turned on in my truck.
So couldn't idle overnight. Woke up freezing b/c APU was blowing cold air. Truck had a hard time starting but ran just fine.

 

Mines a 2013. I've driven as low as -40 and everything still worked fine. The system purges the lines when I shut off the truck. There is a coolant line that goes into the def tank to thaw it out once the engine warms up enough. The tubing is wrapped in electric heating lines.
It does have a slightly higher operating temperature. 198f vs 185f, but it needs higher temps in the exhaust system to keep the DPF from fouling up.

 

I see QT sells it at the pump for $2.65 gal