What’s DEF? | The Every day Drive


Somewhat DEF cleans numerous air.

Fuel-pump side DEF dispenser.
Gas-pump facet DEF dispenser.

Generally known as DEF, diesel exhaust fluid is an emissions after remedy, launched to the exhaust gasoline of a diesel engine to decreased nitrogen-oxide (NOx) emissions.

You might have seen DEF (also referred to as AdBlue, which is a model title) within the aisles of a truck cease or ironmongery shop. The fluid, which is comprised principally of urea and water, is often offered in 1- and a couple of.5-gallon containers, in addition to bigger vessels to be used in over-the-road vans. DEF can be retailed at truck-stop gasoline pumps in bulk kind, which is handy for truck operators, as massive tractor trailers typically have DEF tanks as giant as 20 gallons. Diesel-powered pickup vans have smaller DEF tanks, sometimes 5-6 gallons.

What’s DEF?

Emissions

Essential to the operation of what’s often known as the Selective Catalytic Discount (SCR) system, DEF employed accurately may also help to scale back NOx emissions by as a lot as 90 p.c. Some of the harmful byproducts of diesel combustion, NOx emissions contribute to respiratory issues, acid rain, and ground-level ozone, also referred to as smog. Environmental Safety Company (EPA) laws mandating the usage of DEF had been handed into legislation in 2010, requiring that each one heavy-duty diesel engines constructed starting in 2015 make use of the SCR system.

Diesel Emissions Fluid in 1-gallon jug.
DEF in 1-gallon jug.

DEF Packaging and Costs

The fluid itself, which is about two thirds water and one third artificial urea, shouldn’t be particularly costly, and might run from $8-$12 per gallon, relying on the retailer and bundle dimension. The pump-side dispensers are typically the least-expensive buy possibility. A 20-gallon DEF tank will present a typical over-the-road truck with about 6000 miles of operation.

Limp Mannequin

By legislation, as soon as a automobile’s DEF speak is depleted, the truck in query will function in “limp” mode, which reduces engine energy output till fluid is added to the tank. A warning that the DEF tank is approaching empty sometimes seems on a truck’s instrument panel roughly 100 miles prematurely of full depletion.

Tampering

Whereas it was briefly in style for the operators of diesel-powered vans to take away the SCR programs, that motion has confirmed detrimental to long-term possession of the automobile. Not solely is tampering with the SCR system unlawful, many dealerships will decline to take an clearly tampered-with truck in commerce.

Automobiles

Truck requiring DEF use embody diesel-powered heady-duty variations of the Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-Sequence pickup, GMC Sierra, and Ram pickup. These along with all diesel-powered medium- and heavy-duty vans.

DEF filler port.
Within the case of many pickups and medium-duty vans, the DEF filler port (blue cap) is situated subsequent to the gasoline port.

Deal with with Care

Dried DEF tends to crystalize on automobile surfaces, so care must be exercised when including the fluid to your automobile. Left to dry, DEF might fade painted physique panels.

Diesel Emissions Fluid SCR System
DEF SCR system.

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