All about Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)

Diesel Exhaust Fluid, or DEF, is an important part of owning a modern Chevrolet diesel vehicle. Whether you have a 3.0-liter Duramax or the big 6.6-liter Duramax, you will need to become acquainted with DEF and how it impacts your truck or SUV.

What Is DEF Anyway?

What is this mystery substance? Simply put, it is a fluid that is made from deionized water and urea. Urea is a synthetic nitrogen-based compound and is found in ammonia. The mixture is 67.5% water and 32.5% urea. This is then injected into your Chevrolet’s exhaust system to clean up diesel exhaust from your tailpipes and reduce pollution. The fluid has its own separate tank into which you pour it. DEF is not very expensive and comes in single-gallon jugs or 2.5-gallon boxes, priced around $10-$20, depending on the amount and brand.

Is It Toxic?

Diesel Exhaust Fluid is not toxic and contains no pollutants. Instead, DEF reduces harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by as much as 90%. DEF works by breaking down the chemical compound NOx into nitrogen and oxygen, thereby reducing the amount of pollution entering the atmosphere.

How Long Does DEF Last?

In a 2010 study by Cummins, the company deduced that your DEF usage is tied to your vehicle’s fuel economy. But your engine only uses about 1-3% of the fluid compared to diesel. Therefore, they said, if you average around 20 mpg, then you should get roughly 1,000 miles per gallon of diesel exhaust fluid. Since most tanks hold around 5 gallons of DEF, you’ll likely fill up maybe every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, give or take, depending on your fuel usage.

How Long Can You Store It?

Information indicates that DEF can last up to two years if stored in a cool, dry place at or below 75 degrees. Anything warmer and you cut the fluid’s lifespan down to a year.

What Happens If I Run Out Of DEF?

Your vehicle will give you plenty of warnings if you are starting to run low on fluid, with some even showing a specific range before you need to top up. But if you actually run out, your vehicle will essentially go into limp mode, preventing you from exceeding a certain speed. Some owners who drive a lot keep a gallon in their truck or SUV for emergencies, which isn’t a bad thing.

Let The Experts at McFarland Chevrolet Assist You

Now the question is: do you need or want a diesel- or gas-powered Silverado, Tahoe, or Suburban? Well, that may be a question for the fine folks at McFarland Chevrolet. They will let you test drive both types of vehicles and learn which one best fits your needs and budget. Once you decide on a truck or SUV, they’ll make sure you get the best deal possible.

Why Choose McFarland Chevrolet

At McFarland Chevrolet, we offer the best prices on new and used cars and services of any Chevrolet dealer around. We take pride in knowing that we treat our customers best, and our wonderful sales staff and finance department are ready to assist you from the start of your car-buying process to the end. And once it’s time to come in for service, our second-to-none service department will take care of your vehicle as if it were one of their own.

Thank you for letting us earn your business.