[DslGate]

gen1 car the def tank lasts the oil change interval...like still 30% left in the tank....no reason to be uncomfortable

gen2 car tank is smaller, but its still not a daily or weekly concern

neither car stops you from adding def at any point you can add daily if you want, no harm.

I've been going >5000 miles to a DEF tank refill, so I am curious ax to how the OP could be using so much DEF? one round trip to FL, approx 3000 miles total did not require a DEF top off, but when I did, it only took about 2 gallons, not even the whole 2.5 of Ad Blue I had.

 

[DslGate]

Ancient Proverb adapted for your diesel cruze:

Before leaving on a mission of vengeance in your Gen 2 Cruze Diesel, dig two graves, and top off the DEF .

That was DEFinitely funny, but you need to DEFine mission of vengeance and not DEFer to just topping it off.

 

[MRO1791]

I've been going >5000 miles to a DEF tank refill, so I am curious ax to how the OP could be using so much DEF? one round trip to FL, approx 3000 miles total did not require a DEF top off, but when I did, it only took about 2 gallons, not even the whole 2.5 of Ad Blue I had.

I also use very little DEF..but the general rule is 2-3% of fuel use, and a big variance for driving patterns. I think it uses more DEF on coasting and idle than highway under load also. Conditions where there is excess oxygen in Combustion, thus light throttle.. ironically that would imply better MPG, but it also implies speeding up and slowing down.. hence more likely city where the overall MPG is less. Many factors affect DEF usage.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

 

[MP81]

You're going to use more DEF anywhere NOx emissions are higher - which are tied to combustion chamber temps. Since diesel runs at such a high compression ratio, NOx emissions are quite high - hence using the DEF to reduce them down.

With a diesel, you'll probably see peak chamber temps just off idle. So driving more city would theoretically use it quicker.

 

[snowwy66]

If you guys were smart. You'd be hitting the truck stops for def. They have them at the pumps. Which means a nozzle instead of a jug. AND, it's 50% cheaper at least.

You don't see or hear of semi's buying the expensive box crap and trying to fill their 20 gallon tanks. That would cost twice as much and take 10 time longer to fill.



And that BAD DEF light. Is the same thing as the check engine light. Doesn't mean the def is bad. It means there's a trouble code.

I could see def going bad though. Specially in hotter climates. As the liquid content would evaporate and you're left with residue. For as many miles as you all get on 1 tank. I don't see any reason to actually be storing a box of the stuff though. Just fill the darn thing up every other fuel fillup.

 

[MRO1791]

If you guys were smart. You'd be hitting the truck stops for def. They have them at the pumps. Which means a nozzle instead of a jug. AND, it's 50% cheaper at least.

You don't see or hear of semi's buying the expensive box crap and trying to fill their 20 gallon tanks. That would cost twice as much and take 10 time longer to fill.



And that BAD DEF light. Is the same thing as the check engine light. Doesn't mean the def is bad. It means there's a trouble code.

I could see def going bad though. Specially in hotter climates. As the liquid content would evaporate and you're left with residue. For as many miles as you all get on 1 tank. I don't see any reason to actually be storing a box of the stuff though. Just fill the darn thing up every other fuel fillup.

The Cruze DEF tank is only about 4 gallons (slightly less Gen 2, slightly more Gen 1), and in most cases it will get about 5000 miles, or even much more on that small tank.. so it's not that often that it needs a fill, and even then not very much. Walmart sells a 2.5 Gal jug for about $8.. that's pretty cheap, and for many much easier to find a Walmart than a truckstop, depending on where you live of course. I only ever add a 2.5 Gal jug when it starts counting down, as it's not empty and will then take that much, but not much more. It's not worth the hassle to top it off and spill it all over the place.

 

[snowwy66]

The Cruze DEF tank is only about 4 gallons (slightly less Gen 2, slightly more Gen 1), and in most cases it will get about 5000 miles, or even much more on that small tank.. so it's not that often that it needs a fill, and even then not very much. Walmart sells a 2.5 Gal jug for about $8.. that's pretty cheap, and for many much easier to find a Walmart than a truckstop, depending on where you live of course. I only ever add a 2.5 Gal jug when it starts counting down, as it's not empty and will then take that much, but not much more. It's not worth the hassle to top it off and spill it all over the place.

The nozzles work just like gas nozzles. But i hear ya on the box.

 

[johnmo]

I fill at a truck stop that's along my commute if I go the alternate route that's a little longer. Either way, I have to go to a retail location to obtain DEF.

I have to go inside and pay in advance for DEF at the truck islands. No swipey-swipe at the pump. Either way I have to go into a retail location and pay in advance for DEF.

I've never seen DEF as cheap per gallon in a box as I've seen at the pumps. We'll call that one a wash.

When I fill at the pumps:
-the tank gets filled to capacity, so I get maximum time and range between fills and I have to do it less often
-I don't have to lug gallons of DEF to my car
-I don't have to store any leftover DEF --or any DEF at all -- at my house
-It's easier to fill with a nozzle from a pump with an automatic cutoff than it is to lift up and hold gallons of DEF while the box drains

Advantage: truck stop pumps. If they're available anywhere near you, try them. You'll like them.

One tip about the truck stops: hit them after work rather than before. Truck islands are really busy in the morning because the drivers are topping up and starting their day. I don't think I've ever had to wait for an open pump, but I think I did have a truck waiting on me to finish once in the morning. I try to get in and get out quick because I know they're on the clock.

 

[BlueTopaz]

Luckly there is a diesel station close to me that has DEF at the pump. Super easy to fill and no mess, not to mention it is less expensive than the bottle stuff.

 

[mkohan]

I find Saturdays a good day to fill the DEF tank at the truck stop.