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Def fluid

23K views 36 replies 23 participants last post by  philbytx 
#1 ·
I bought a 2015 JGC eco diesel last Oct. Def gauge still shows about 75% left with about 2700 miles on the vehicle.

I plan on changing the oil at 5000 miles for piece of mind and will fill the DEF tank then. Is anyone using the Peak Blue DEF sold at Walmart? It say's it meets the ISO 22241 standard or do you pay the dealer twice the amount for Mopar def?

Obviously warranty issues may arise so I'm wondering about using the Peak brand.

Wireman
 
#3 ·
Hi this is just my opinion. But with all the issues people have had with the the whole SCR and DEF system. I would caution on the conservative side and use the dealers MOPAR DEF while you are under warranty, that way they can't blame the Peak/Walmart DEF for your problem. That way it's on the dealer to fix the problem. Another thing to remember is refresh your DEF once in awhile. I usually take it down to about 1/4 left and then have them refill it.
 
#4 ·
Other than the outrageous cost.

I had my whole CAT/SCR system replaced under warranty. If you go off of what the owners manual says for requirements, they can't hold it against you.

From Page 97 of the Diesel Supplement:

MOPAR® Diesel Exhaust Fluid (API Certified) (DEF) or equivalent that has been API Certified to the
ISO 22241 standard. Use of fluids not API Certified to ISO 22241 may result in system damage.
 
#20 ·
Went to WalMart yesterday to buy their DEF. The label on WalMart's Supertech DEF fluid only says 'API Certified', but does not mention to what standard. It certainly does not mention ISO 22241.

So I was a little nervous and skipped it. I went to my Jeep dealer and bought it there, at 2x-3x the price. My backside still hurts and I'm still walking funny from that cost. Interesting thing is, the Mopar DEF label says the same thing, API Certified but no mention of ISO 22241.

I have to wonder, okay, API Certified, but to what standard(s)? Certified to what?? I work in medical device regulations, FDA regs, ISO 13485 and 62304 among many others, this is my profession. But I guess the Supertech DEF fluid from WalMart is okay because its label says the same thing that the Mopar label says. I will return to WalMart today and finish topping off. And save 2x-3x!
 
#5 ·
CNY, I have read on other threads in this forum that folks have had issues with dealers trying to fix problems when they use other DEF. I agree with you, but to me if something would happen because of old fluid or it was stored in high temperatures. I would rather say to the dealer, hey this is your DEF issue not mine so please fix the issue. That's all.
The extra dollars are not that much for dealer DEF considering you bought a 40-60K Jeep.
 
#8 ·
The stuff you get at loves or flying j is just as good. The quantity they have will be more fresh because of how quickly it gets used and replenished. I've used it since I got the vehicle and have had no issues. If you clean your injector at every oil change you'd be good.
 
#10 ·
Instead of jugs from the dealer parts department, ask your dealer's service department if they dispense bulk DEF. Odds are that they do. My dealer offers bulk DEF fillups at $2.99 gallon. Takes away the blame game and more reasonably priced than jugs.
 
#13 ·
Now that's a good idea. Save your Peak container and refill cheaper than Wally World with dealer approved stuff.
BTW Sams club sells it for around 10.00 a 2.5 gal container. Not a bad price either.....


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#11 ·
We have a few Diesel trucks at work and we buy the DEF by the 55 gal drum. We usually buy whats ever on sale and so far so good. I think we have a drum of Napa now. I usually just put 2 gallons at a time. Jeep has 20k on it and Ive prob used 3 different brands. Only now I got rear-ended yesterday morning on the way to work and my truck may be totaled. They just hit the rear drivers corner but the impact cracked the front windshield. All doors dont line up to well anymore. Kind of sucks as I have not had any problems since new and not this happens.
 
#14 ·
WK2Key, The reason I plan on doing the 5K oil change is because my JGC was built in May 2015. It had about 500 miles on it, being a dealer exchange at some point in time, when I bought it.


The oil change timetable is 1 year or 10,000 miles. Technically I guess the time table would start when I bought it in Oct. 2015 but I want to error on the safe side.


I also will be pulling a travel trailer this summer on a month long road trip and want to have a fairly fresh oil change when I leave. I won't be anywhere near 10,000 miles at that time. Heavy duty use changes the timeframe also.


It's not a waste of money to me, just adapting to my situation. I don't have money to burn, just trying to protect my investment in a very expensive vehicle.


Wireman
 
#15 ·
I buy BlueDef from Walmart and no problems for a couple of years. I check the mfg. date on the def box, never fill more than about 2/3's full, keep a copy of the receipt and mfg. date code panel off the box and check with an OTC DEF Refractometer when I add fluid.
 
#16 ·
You really keep receipts? I'm mesmerized by the fact that people do that. Like I've heard of a lot of people doing that, especially for fuel. Like do people really think the dealership is going to see the receipt and that's going to be the deciding factor whether or not they honor the warranty?

Lol. It seems like ALOT of effort for owning a car. Like the ownership is burdensome at that point.
 
#19 ·
2014 model year, one owner
Aug 2013 build. Nov 2013 delivery
45,550 miles suburban driving
Houston Texas, garage kept
No problems with DEF or SCR
Using only Peak BlueDef (AutoZone)
I wait until warning, add 5 gals only
I keep image of box with mfg code.
I use empty containers for oil change
Just replaced stock tires, even wear
New tire are Michelin Defender LTX
No alignment issues, brakes still good
Very reliable and mostly trouble free.
So far, 2 yrs-4 mos - great reliability.
First Jeep, favorite vehicle so far.
Map update only blemish to rating.
 
#21 · (Edited)
Here are pictures from yesterday at WalMart - the labels from Supertech DEF. On the front of the jug, lower right, if you can't read it the white letters on black background says AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE CERTIFIED DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID. Just above it, the red letters are for API.
Motor oil Lubricant Automotive care Service

Material property Plastic



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#22 · (Edited)
And here are pictures from the Mopar DEF labels. On the front of the jug, to the right of MOPAR, it says AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE CERTIFIED DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID.

It is the same label, except for color, as on the WalMart Supertech DEF.

Product Water Material property Automotive wheel system Liquid

Product

Water Automotive tire


I'm going back to WalMart today to top off my DEF with Supertech!

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#24 ·
By Definition it cannot be labeled DEF unless it meets the ISO standard.. I'd bet a dollar to a donut that the stuff is bottled in the same factory that AdBlue or PEAK is made in and just sold cheaper. By virtue of volume Wal mart can Muscle any supplier in any market to market their own brand name with identical contents. This happens everyday in practically every consumer product line.. Same stuff sold cheaper via store brand name...
If Wal mart could sell Miller Lite under their own brand name, they would make a killing....Trust me.
 
#26 ·
Yep, it was $7.88 for the 2½ gallon jug. I bought two of them - $15.76 for 5 gallons whereas at the Jeep dealer it would've cost about $50 for 5 gallons. And I will use the empty jugs for oil changes, like Brainstormer said.
 
#27 ·
Hey guys, how big is the DEF tank? I'm getting low and wanna know how much I can put in to get the gauge reading 100% again.
 
#30 ·
Do you guys just put in a 2.5 gallon jug when the DEF fluid gets low, or do you put in as much needed to fill the tank to the top?


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#32 ·
I would avoid "topping off," especially if you live in an area that will get below freezing. I wanna say DEF will freeze at 25 degrees Fahrenheit. And when it does it will expand. That expansion has the risk of cracking the tank or a feed line. I always keep mine at half, mostly to save myself the extra weight


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#31 ·
When I see it is down to the 25% bar I put in a 2.5 and I know I am good for at least 3-6 months, at 25% you could easily put in 5 gal, no worries, But since mine is in the heat more often than not I don't want almost a years worth in there to potentially get old. (Even though that really wouldn't hurt anything....)
Used Wal Mart stuff for over 2 yrs, No problems....
 
#34 ·
:thumbsup: The above touches on a point that too many DEF user's don't pay enough attention to: DEF degrades in heat - consider it a half-life. Above 80F, DEF life goes WAY down. If you live in the South, or are in need in the summer months, never, ever EVER buy bottles of DEF that have been stored outside conveniently near the diesel pumps.

As an aside, I traded in my JGC EcoDiesel because of all of the exhaust system issues mine had (3 cats, 2 limp modes), and precisely 0 times did the dealer ask where I got the DEF...
 
#33 ·
I was on the way to take my GRE exam when my WK2 said I was low on DEF fluid. I went to the store but I didn't have enough money so first I had to stop by the ATM machine. I put in my card and PIN number, but then the LCD display was hard to read in the sunlight. Oh well. Then I went to the store to get the DEF fluid but the scanner had problems reading the UPC code off the box so the clerk had to reboot his PC computer.

Back on topic, I always wait until I get the warning then add 2.5 gal. I'm more paranoid of the DEF going bad and clogging up the injector than I am about running out. Been using Peak Blue from Autozone, no problems.
 
#37 ·
Living in TX, I top mine up to just over half full before a long trip with our travel trailer but don't let it get too far below 1/4 full plus I also keep a "fresh" (I check the date codes!) 2.5 gallon container of DEF inside the house, not in the garage!
 
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