Great info, that complicated production code is to prevent people from knowing their purchasing stale def. You need to remember once it's in your rig the calendar is still rolling. Lots of people have problems when they get ready to leave a place after sitting 6 months when they parked with fluid that had reached its shelf life.
So the freightliner service department told me not to run fuel stations DEF in our motorhome, unless we drive it alot and it doesn't sit idle very long. It apparently is a lower grade of DEF and has a shorter life span. They said that we should use the blue platinum because it has a better shelf life.
Good vid. Always buy at local auto parts store and have never checked codes. Usually carry a spare container of def if going on long trip. Pretty well guarantee it will drip and it is a slow process so I wrap a shoprag around where the nozzle attaches and I remove the container from the box and poke a small hole to allow air in while emptying.
Nicely done video on an important topic, and decoding of the place/date code. You can bypass the Julian calendar step by simply dividing (say the 76 days into the year 2022) by average of 30 days/month to get 2 1/2 months, or mid-March....close enough to judge freshness. I enjoy your videos, but this one makes me glad I tow with a '95 F250 with a 7.3 liter Powerstroke...No DEF required and one of the key reasons I stick with Ol' Faithful. Thanks from Oregon!
Good vid. I've used both. Like you said,1) check date if you're buying in a store 2) NEVER BUY Def at a gas station that stores it outside 3) If at a truck stop pump. Just always make sure hose is rolled and stored properly and door to nozzle is sealed closed. If not, move to another pump or another station. Remember storage temp isn't the only thing that can cause DEF to go bad. It's also exposure to the atmosphere. Oxygen exposure will cause crystallization of DEF. That's why the doors at the pump to access the DEF nozzle are magnetically sealed. If not, DEF in that hose will begin to crystalliz and that will go directly to your tank.
You may be going through our beautiful North Idaho during your travels. Hope you have some time to enjoy it. Thank you for the videos. Stay safe out there.
Another good video your the only one I follow that actually helps people out here rigs I appreciate it an when you stop places always great an I wish you the very best on your adventures
Many thanks for explaining the importance of the Production Date and the impact that temperature has on the shelf life of the DEF! Really appreciate you showing this very basic process of adding DEF to one's RV DEF Tank! ~Big C in the DP 📢 ::: Air Horn 📢 ::: ::: Air Brakes! ::: 🚌🚌🚌
Wow why do they make it so hard to figure out the date? I just found your Vlog but a lot of great information for someone new like myself so definitely subscribing!
Hey Expat Explorer! Welcome to the channel! No idea why they made the date like they do. Some brands actually just stamp a simple date on theirs, not this brand.....
I have a 2500 Ram diesel and get my DEF from the local gas station. I am in an area where there is lots of Diesel traffic so the station is constantly refreshing its inventory. Thanks for decoding the DEF code that is very useful and I'll check it next time. Cheers
We've been towing with DEF dually's since 2012. Our 2017 Ram limited you may have seen it, we were at Destin west rv resort in the black Luxe 5th wheel while you were there filming a couple of years ago. That truck we only used blue DEF no truck stop stuff. Our 2021 F450 we have been using truck stop DEF with no issues so far. I find it easier to take the blue DEF out of the carboard box.
I’ve used Walmart, Blue and truck stop DEF in both a Ram 2500 and my Tiffin Red and so far no issues. We full time and have read reports that UREA is in short supply because most of it comes from overseas. I checked three Walmarts in the Mesa, AZ area and they were sold out of all the Walmart DEF at about $12. There was still Blue at these locations so at the last location I purchased a couple at $16 each. I’m currently carrying four 2 1/2 gallon boxes of DEF. I have a feeling DEF will be getting scarce at retail stores in the next few months. Better make room for a few food buckets too in case the food shortage scare comes true. I had to look up the translation of Blue while in the store. Not sure why they can’t print a user friendly date. Walmart DEF has a normal date format. Thanks for the video.
Hey Darryl, gracias por esta información porque yo no tenia idea de que el liquido DEF tenia fecha de expiro. Saludos desde Wisconsin. P.S Perdon por escribir en español todavia no aprendo escribir ingles pero lo entiendo relativamente bien.
Save an empty Def container to refill at a truck stop. As you know it's a lot cheaper at the pump than buying at the store. If you get worried about how long it has sit,use it on a trip and then refill next fueling. And yes the Def at truckstops is fresh because of the volume they go through daily.
I buy mine from my local farm supply store. I’ve never checked the manufacture date and I remove he container from the box. After filling I drench the area around my fill caps with instant detail and wipe down the cap, cap retaining ring and fill compartment and wipe it down thoroughly with a microfiber towel. The DEF is so corrosive. I noticed some corrosion around your cap. You might want to wipe yours down on that beautiful new rig of yours before the staining becomes permanent.
wow code breaking! can't wait to rv😅 my aunt and uncle stop at truck stops because like you said they usually get it a bit cheaper and two they say they stand less a chance of getting old Def with the volumes used each month at a truck stop.
Well done! I have yet to fill with retail outlet DEF. For peace of mind, I've been told to carry a container or two of Blue DEF, but to this day.....!! Good content D, appears other than finding DEF, the hardest part was finding and locating the nozzle!! Continued safe travels up the coast. You guys must be in Pt. Angeles now? Or have left, continuing your northwest journey? Happy Mom's Day to Clay!
@@TollesonLife .... good morning! For some reason, as you were searching for the little tube and with the background "crinkly" noise, I found it so funny!! About as funny as trying to find where and how to pour a cup of hydraulic fluid for the front slides! I think on your Bus, you're able to slide your hydraulic system, ie; battery pack? Good timing on coming up to Pt. Angeles - weather's getting better!! Rain, rain, rain for the middle part of the week, then NICE! I think.....Happy Trails!
I never buy DEF off the shelf. You never know where it was stored, if it was in a very warm storage facility it’s no good. DEF at a Truck Stop is underground is very cool. DEF below 70f will last 2 years. DEF at 90 f will go bad in 3 months. I have a 15 gallon DEF tank, it will last about 3 fill ups. Over 2000 miles.
DEF is really all the same except for freshness, and that is the most important thing. And usually the cheap DEF is fresher. It is all just urea and water. You are not getting anything special by getting the expensive DEF. Still just urea and deionized water. In fact, I read a very good article about a gentleman that always used the cheap Walmart Super Tech, and then decided he should spend the money on what he thought was the good stuff. The expensive Blue DEF. He immediately got a check engine light, and spent several hundred having the DEF tank removed and flushed. Turns out the expensive DEF was old. Because people buy the cheap stuff, it is usually very fresh. All I use is the cheap stuff, but the date is usually only a few weeks old. 3 years with the cheap stuff, always checking the date, and no problem so far. Oh, and the date is actually right there in plain numbers to read on the Super Tech, no deciphering needed.
We live near the route you were traveling for this and truck stops are few and far between. We just bought a Newmar and we’re trying to figure a strategy for DEF fill-ups. Did you fill your DEF tank before you hit the PCH? How far can you travel (average) on a full tank of DEF?
Congrats on the Newmar Bruce! I did not fill up the DEF Tank before hitting the PCH. That said I would not have run out before making it to our next truck stop but I just don't like to get below a half when I not familiar with the area...I typically add about 3 gallons every 1,000 miles when traveling interstates. So a full tank will tank you a considerable distance. Hope that helps.
I don't know why the tell you to leave the DEF container in the box. I use those things all the time and I always take it out of the box. It's just a plastic jug. I don't get it.
Great video thanks, I have had the same problem looking for fresh DEF. Most Walmarts have a shipping sticker on the top of the box which has a date on it, not perfect but at least I know it was shipped recently. I hardly ever have seen those production codes on the boxes. Safe Travels.
Honestly, I’ve had my Mercedes Benz Sprinter diesel Motorhome for the last 6 years and have never heard of checking production dates. I typically purchase off the shelf but not from Walmart. So far no problems with my engine.
The Blue Def date code may be tricky to read. It is not outlined like a normal Month, Day, Year format but looks something like this: GA153590089. This code has to be broken down to get the exact date of manufacturing so you can tell if the Blue DEF is going to expire shortly. Here is that breakdown:1. GA = the plant that made the Blue Def 2. 15 = the year of manufacturing + 1 year. So the batch was made in 2014 3. 359 = number of days. So 365 - 359 = 6 The batch was made on the 6th day of the year or January 6th, 2014 4. 0089 = the batch code lol like you have to go to college to learn to read DEF production....Make sure you wash off any spillage, it will peel paint. I carry a bottle of water with me, after installing and closing i rinsed. Not now as my Diesel 2500HD is long gone...lol
@@TollesonLife you covered it a lot better than i did...i just wanted to help out...great info by the way. Most people do not know that..thanks for sharing.
Great info, that complicated production code is to prevent people from knowing their purchasing stale def. You need to remember once it's in your rig the calendar is still rolling. Lots of people have problems when they get ready to leave a place after sitting 6 months when they parked with fluid that had reached its shelf life.
Thanks for the info Scott!
So the freightliner service department told me not to run fuel stations DEF in our motorhome, unless we drive it alot and it doesn't sit idle very long. It apparently is a lower grade of DEF and has a shorter life span. They said that we should use the blue platinum because it has a better shelf life.
Thanks for the info Prokiller!
Good job of decoding the numbers. And that’s why I love the truck stops too! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Kevin!
Thank you for the great explanation of the production date and why it is so important.
Sure thing Matt!
Good vid. Always buy at local auto parts store and have never checked codes. Usually carry a spare container of def if going on long trip. Pretty well guarantee it will drip and it is a slow process so I wrap a shoprag around where the nozzle attaches and I remove the container from the box and poke a small hole to allow air in while emptying.
Thanks for the info John!
Wow. That should be simpler. What a pain. Safe travels!
I agree Jeff!
Thanks!
Thanks Flyboy!
Nicely done video on an important topic, and decoding of the place/date code. You can bypass the Julian calendar step by simply dividing (say the 76 days into the year 2022) by average of 30 days/month to get 2 1/2 months, or mid-March....close enough to judge freshness.
I enjoy your videos, but this one makes me glad I tow with a '95 F250 with a 7.3 liter Powerstroke...No DEF required and one of the key reasons I stick with Ol' Faithful.
Thanks from Oregon!
Thanks for the info Grant and appreciate you watching!
Thanks, you simplified the date codes for me
Glad I could help Bob!
Good vid. I've used both. Like you said,1) check date if you're buying in a store 2) NEVER BUY Def at a gas station that stores it outside 3) If at a truck stop pump. Just always make sure hose is rolled and stored properly and door to nozzle is sealed closed. If not, move to another pump or another station. Remember storage temp isn't the only thing that can cause DEF to go bad. It's also exposure to the atmosphere. Oxygen exposure will cause crystallization of DEF. That's why the doors at the pump to access the DEF nozzle are magnetically sealed. If not, DEF in that hose will begin to crystalliz and that will go directly to your tank.
Thanks for that info Mark!!
Thanks Darrel
You bet Joe!
I went out on a limb and bought thru Amazon. Grainger supplied it to Amazon and it was 2 months old.
👍
Thanks for that production code analysis
Sure thing Brendan!
We’re shopping for RV’s and trying to figure out what to do. Thanks for the info! Glad we found you guys.
Welcome! Best of luck on your search👍
Awesome and helpful video for those of us future coach owners! Peace and blessings to you! Ty!
Great Rich! Glad it was helpful.
I use all truckstops fresh they go through a lot of it
Thanks for the info Greg!
You may be going through our beautiful North Idaho during your travels. Hope you have some time to enjoy it. Thank you for the videos. Stay safe out there.
I am Veronica! Next month.Thank you and we appreciate you watching!
Wonderful! Let us know if you are doing any meet and greets.
I have a question for you. Do you have an email address?
@@veronicawuolle3037 Will do Veronica!
@@veronicawuolle3037 Yes we do, Tollesonlife@Gmail.com
Thank you for the video, I learned a lot from you and I appreciate it. You did a first rate job of editing. Very helpful!
Very good Jack! Glad it was helpful.
Another good video your the only one I follow that actually helps people out here rigs I appreciate it an when you stop places always great an I wish you the very best on your adventures
I appreciate that Randall!
Love the date code breakdown 👍🏼
Thanks Jeffrey!
Another great video. I always try and get our DEF at the pump at big truck stops.
Thanks Mike, us too👍
Good video to make. So many people likely do not know about the expiry of this product. Thanks Sir.
Thanks for watching Keith!
Enjoyed the Video,,,,Darryl,,,and good content on DEF,,,for our diesels,,,hope to see you both in the hills this summer,,,Dave,👍🌲🌲
Thanks Dave! We plan to be there👍
Keep the rubber on the road and safe travels.
Thank you Brian!
Many thanks for explaining the importance of the Production Date and the impact that temperature has on the shelf life of the DEF! Really appreciate you showing this very basic process of adding DEF to one's RV DEF Tank! ~Big C in the DP 📢 ::: Air Horn 📢 ::: ::: Air Brakes! ::: 🚌🚌🚌
👍🙌🙌
LOL, Thats a lot to remember, but a necessity!
Yes sir Matt.
Thank you for sharing it's great to have new info for our future endeavors
Glad it was helpful Lisa!
You gotta imagine wal Mart sells a ton of it and always has fresh product.
Probably right Medj00L Maker.
Great Information. Tractor Supply sells DEF and they are everywhere in the United States.
Thanks for the info Chris!
Wow why do they make it so hard to figure out the date? I just found your Vlog but a lot of great information for someone new like myself so definitely subscribing!
Hey Expat Explorer! Welcome to the channel! No idea why they made the date like they do. Some brands actually just stamp a simple date on theirs, not this brand.....
The def in Walmart in the containers below the blue has the date on them and cheaper. No problems with our 2021
Thanks for that info Robert!
I have a 2500 Ram diesel and get my DEF from the local gas station. I am in an area where there is lots of Diesel traffic so the station is constantly refreshing its inventory. Thanks for decoding the DEF code that is very useful and I'll check it next time. Cheers
Thanks for sharing guys!
We use to add def best place to buy was Walmart
Thanks for the info George!
I only Purchase def fluid only at big name truck stops to insure it’s not old
Thanks for the info Diesel family Travels!
Another great video, I didn't know that DEF had a shelf life, now I'm going to go out and check my containers that I bring along with me.
Glad it was helpful D!!
Great info, thanks.
Glad it was helpful Wayne.
thx for sharing! didnt know it expired! stay safe
You're welcome Rocky!
We've been towing with DEF dually's since 2012. Our 2017 Ram limited you may have seen it, we were at Destin west rv resort in the black Luxe 5th wheel while you were there filming a couple of years ago. That truck we only used blue DEF no truck stop stuff. Our 2021 F450 we have been using truck stop DEF with no issues so far. I find it easier to take the blue DEF out of the carboard box.
Oh yes I recall the Luxe!! Good to hear no issues with the truck stops. That's our experience also, no issues!!
I’ve used Walmart, Blue and truck stop DEF in both a Ram 2500 and my Tiffin Red and so far no issues. We full time and have read reports that UREA is in short supply because most of it comes from overseas. I checked three Walmarts in the Mesa, AZ area and they were sold out of all the Walmart DEF at about $12. There was still Blue at these locations so at the last location I purchased a couple at $16 each. I’m currently carrying four 2 1/2 gallon boxes of DEF. I have a feeling DEF will be getting scarce at retail stores in the next few months. Better make room for a few food buckets too in case the food shortage scare comes true. I had to look up the translation of Blue while in the store. Not sure why they can’t print a user friendly date. Walmart DEF has a normal date format. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for the info KJRitch!
Great information!👍🏼😎
Glad it was helpful Rick!
Good video to help newbies. Date code is strange to say the least. LOL
Very good D Branch! Glad it was helpful.
We use the def at the pump-We have found it hard and messy to pour it in from the box -However we do keep 1 box on board for any emergencies 😃🚌🇺🇸
Thanks for that info Mary!
Hey Darryl, gracias por esta información porque yo no tenia idea de que el liquido DEF tenia fecha de expiro. Saludos desde Wisconsin.
P.S
Perdon por escribir en español todavia no aprendo escribir ingles pero lo entiendo relativamente bien.
Me alegro que el video te haya sido útil amigo! No hay problema con el español! ¡Espero que todo esté bien en Wisconsin!
Great response! I understood it all.👍😊
Our truck uses def, we get ours from Walmart
Thanks for the info Paula.
Save an empty Def container to refill at a truck stop. As you know it's a lot cheaper at the pump than buying at the store. If you get worried about how long it has sit,use it on a trip and then refill next fueling. And yes the Def at truckstops is fresh because of the volume they go through daily.
Thanks for the tip Rich!
I don't have a rv, but my Ford pickup takes def. Ford has special requirements, so I buy only from the Ford dealer.
Thanks for the info Joe!
@@TollesonLife Yes Ford says quality varies quite a lot. As you said in your video we don't need to be spending money for repairs for sure.
Thanks for the info 👍
I'm not familiar with desel engines I do think this video will be helpful to someone Safe Travels
Thanks for watching Howard!
I buy mine from my local farm supply store. I’ve never checked the manufacture date and I remove he container from the box. After filling I drench the area around my fill caps with instant detail and wipe down the cap, cap retaining ring and fill compartment and wipe it down thoroughly with a microfiber towel. The DEF is so corrosive. I noticed some corrosion around your cap. You might want to wipe yours down on that beautiful new rig of yours before the staining becomes permanent.
Thanks for that tip dj16911!
wow code breaking! can't wait to rv😅
my aunt and uncle stop at truck stops because like you said they usually get it a bit cheaper and two they say they stand less a chance of getting old Def with the volumes used each month at a truck stop.
* great aunt and uncle.
Lol! Yep, that's one reason I like the truck stops also Kyle.
Nice. Get it at truck stops.
Thanks for sharing Tim!
I use the Super Tech. It has the date code and is priced cheaper than Blue Def. DEF is DEF. There’s no difference between the two.
Thanks for the info Road Hog!
To find the date code in Walmart or any other, it's on the jug itself
Thanks for the info James!
Well done! I have yet to fill with retail outlet DEF. For peace of mind, I've been told to carry a container or two of Blue DEF, but to this day.....!! Good content D, appears other than finding DEF, the hardest part was finding and locating the nozzle!! Continued safe travels up the coast. You guys must be in Pt. Angeles now? Or have left, continuing your northwest journey? Happy Mom's Day to Clay!
Lol Mike! I did have a little trouble with the nozzle and you noticed!! We will be in Port Angeles next week! Thanks for watching my friend!
@@TollesonLife .... good morning! For some reason, as you were searching for the little tube and with the background "crinkly" noise, I found it so funny!! About as funny as trying to find where and how to pour a cup of hydraulic fluid for the front slides! I think on your Bus, you're able to slide your hydraulic system, ie; battery pack? Good timing on coming up to Pt. Angeles - weather's getting better!! Rain, rain, rain for the middle part of the week, then NICE! I think.....Happy Trails!
What does that DEF stuff do anyway that you have to have it?? Take care , be safe out there . 😎👍
Hey Steve, it is supposed to reduce harmful emissions from diesel engines.
Ok. I never knew that . I guess because I’ve never owned a diesel before. Thanks for the exclamation take care .
I never buy DEF off the shelf. You never know where it was stored, if it was in a very warm storage facility it’s no good. DEF at a Truck Stop is underground is very cool. DEF below 70f will last 2 years. DEF at 90 f will go bad in 3 months.
I have a 15 gallon DEF tank, it will last about 3 fill ups. Over 2000 miles.
Thanks for the info Horizon 42Q
DEF is really all the same except for freshness, and that is the most important thing. And usually the cheap DEF is fresher. It is all just urea and water. You are not getting anything special by getting the expensive DEF. Still just urea and deionized water. In fact, I read a very good article about a gentleman that always used the cheap Walmart Super Tech, and then decided he should spend the money on what he thought was the good stuff. The expensive Blue DEF. He immediately got a check engine light, and spent several hundred having the DEF tank removed and flushed. Turns out the expensive DEF was old. Because people buy the cheap stuff, it is usually very fresh. All I use is the cheap stuff, but the date is usually only a few weeks old. 3 years with the cheap stuff, always checking the date, and no problem so far. Oh, and the date is actually right there in plain numbers to read on the Super Tech, no deciphering needed.
Thanks for the info twowheelsdown!
if youre using quite a bit of def and its from a reputable vendor like Walmart or oriellys i doubt any of it would be expired.
Probably right moore_guy.
We live near the route you were traveling for this and truck stops are few and far between. We just bought a Newmar and we’re trying to figure a strategy for DEF fill-ups. Did you fill your DEF tank before you hit the PCH? How far can you travel (average) on a full tank of DEF?
Congrats on the Newmar Bruce! I did not fill up the DEF Tank before hitting the PCH. That said I would not have run out before making it to our next truck stop but I just don't like to get below a half when I not familiar with the area...I typically add about 3 gallons every 1,000 miles when traveling interstates. So a full tank will tank you a considerable distance. Hope that helps.
👍
Thanks Darren!
I don't know why the tell you to leave the DEF container in the box. I use those things all the time and I always take it out of the box. It's just a plastic jug. I don't get it.
I agree Andy, I thought the same thing....
PCH is not why 101, it is why 1.
Thanks Steven, don't they run together for a while somewhere in Cali?
Great video thanks, I have had the same problem looking for fresh DEF. Most Walmarts have a shipping sticker on the top of the box which has a date on it, not perfect but at least I know it was shipped recently. I hardly ever have seen those production codes on the boxes. Safe Travels.
Thanks for the info Ray!
In an emergency you can use windshield washer fluid.
Didn't know that ECC. I hope I never get that low, LOL!
These people inhaled lots of fumes to create this production system. Should be learning from tire manufacturers on their dating system. Week #/year
Thanks byever1!
Honestly, I’ve had my Mercedes Benz Sprinter diesel Motorhome for the last 6 years and have never heard of checking production dates. I typically purchase off the shelf but not from Walmart. So far no problems with my engine.
Thanks for sharing TravelingMaggi! Glad your Sprinter is working well! Stay safe out there.
The Blue Def date code may be tricky to read. It is not outlined like a normal Month, Day, Year format but looks something like this: GA153590089. This code has to be broken down to get the exact date of manufacturing so you can tell if the Blue DEF is going to expire shortly. Here is that breakdown:1. GA = the plant that made the Blue Def
2. 15 = the year of manufacturing + 1 year. So the batch was made in 2014
3. 359 = number of days. So 365 - 359 = 6 The batch was made on the 6th day of the year or January 6th, 2014
4. 0089 = the batch code
lol like you have to go to college to learn to read DEF production....Make sure you wash off any spillage, it will peel paint. I carry a bottle of water with me, after installing and closing i rinsed. Not now as my Diesel 2500HD is long gone...lol
Thanks for the info Frosty!!
@@TollesonLife you covered it a lot better than i did...i just wanted to help out...great info by the way. Most people do not know that..thanks for sharing.