What Happens If You Run Out Of Diesel Exhaust Fluid?

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Running out of diesel exhaust fluid is a problem you don’t want to have. If you ever run out, drive to the nearest gas station and replenish your supply immediately. When your storage tank runs empty, you can expect your vehicle to display the following signs:

• Your car slows down to a crawl.
• Your DEF header gets damaged.
• Your exhaust system may become clogged and malfunction.

What Is Diesel Exhaust Fluid and What Is It For?

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a special fluid that exists to reduce the emission of nitrogen oxide with the help of a catalytic converter. This conversion is accomplished through a system called selective catalytic reduction or SCR.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a special fluid that exists to reduce the emission of nitrogen oxide with the help of a catalytic converter.

This system causes chemical reactions within your car’s catalyst chamber, transforming the harmful gasses created by diesel fuel into breathable nitrogen and water.

What Is DEF Made Of?

DEF is a specially-made fluid composed of 32.5% urea and 67.5% deionized water.

If you’re curious about why or how urea is even a part of this equation, don’t be alarmed. The urea used in the creation of DEF doesn’t come from any natural source.

While urea is indeed an organic compound, it can also be created synthetically with ammonia and carbon dioxide.

How Does DEF Work?

DEF is injected into the diesel exhaust before entering your car’s catalytic converter. The reaction to convert harmful gasses into breathable ones occurs in the catalyst chamber.

Since DEF is made out of urea and deionized water, this fluid can be vaporized through SCR to create ammonia and carbon dioxide.

The chemical reactions caused by SCR convert toxic nitrogen oxide into less harmful reagents. The ammonia generated converts nitrogen oxide into nitrogen and water, which are both harmless to the environment.

How Do I Know if I’m Low on DEF?

If you’re worried about running low on DEF, you can check for yourself by examining your dashboard. There is an indicator lamp dedicated to how much DEF you have, changing colors and states depending on the levels of fluid remaining:

• Flickering Amber: Your DEF levels are at 5% or below.
• Solid Amber: Your DEF levels are at 2.5% or below.
• Solid Red: Your DEF levels are at 0%, completely dry.

There is a storage tank you can inspect if you want to check your vehicle’s DEF level manually. This tank is normally found beside the diesel fuel saddle tank on trucks. As for passenger cars, the DEF storage tank is normally found in the spare tire and tool storage area.

How Long Does DEF Last?

Fortunately, modern diesel vehicles have a dashboard warning system that lets you know when it’s time to replace or refill your DEF. One gallon of DEF should last you approximately 300 to 500 miles. So long as your DEF tank never goes empty, you can expect a smooth and steady driving experience.

How Do You Know How Much DEF You Need?

Most DEF storage tanks require one gallon of DEF for every 50 gallons of diesel fuel. It’s a good practice to top off every now and then to avoid putting yourself in a difficult situation.

What Happens if You Run Out of DEF?

In most cases, running out of DEF means you just have to refill the tank and your vehicle will be good to go. However, this isn’t always the case, and sometimes running your DEF tank dry leads to serious consequences. The best-case scenario is that your vehicle will only slow to a crawl, moving at approximately 5 mph.

Running your DEF storage tank dry puts you at risk of far more severe problems, albeit ones that are more uncommon. You run the risk of clogging your exhaust system with gunk.

A clogged exhaust system leads to several problems for your vehicle:

• The stench of diesel and smoke in your car.
• Loud noises from the exhaust and the engine.
• Difficulty accelerating and moving at reasonable speeds.

Emptying a DEF storage tank also has the potential to damage your DEF header–a sensor that measures the level, temperature, and quantity of DEF in your tank. Replacing your DEF header can be expensive and cost you up to $1,200.

Can You Drive With Low DEF?

While it is possible to drive with low DEF levels in the storage tank, it is not recommended.

If your vehicle runs out of DEF, you’ll notice a sharp decrease in your vehicle’s speed. You’ll have enough speed to drive home or to the nearest gas station, but it’s ill-advised to drive anywhere else.

Driving while your DEF indicator lamp on also damages your vehicle, and doing so continuously means your engine might force itself to shut down.

Which Vehicles Need DEF?

If your vehicle has a diesel engine and was manufactured after 2010, there’s a good chance it needs DEF.

If your vehicle has a diesel engine and was manufactured after 2010, there’s a good chance it needs DEF. After all, diesel-powered vehicles built after 2010 are required to have SCR.

SCR systems are installed in passenger cars and heavy-duty engines that run on diesel. Because of this, you can expect the following vehicles to use DEF:

• Buses
• Trucks
• RVs
• Vans
• Passenger cars

The Benefits of Using DEF

Aside from being better for the environment, using DEF comes with many benefits that will help you save a lot of time and money in the long run.

Less Maintenance

SCR engines that use DEF typically last longer than the ones that don’t. Since DEF isn’t harmful to the components of your engine, you won’t have to bring them in for repairs as frequently. You also won’t have to worry as much about your vehicle randomly breaking down.

Better for Your Health and the Environment

Diesel fumes are toxic greenhouse gasses that pollute the air, causing acid rain and contributing to the greenhouse effect. They are also directly linked to the development of asthma, cancer, bronchitis, and numerous cardiovascular diseases. Since DEF minimizes the amount of nitrogen oxide released into the air, it is much better for your health and the environment as a whole.

More Efficient for Your Engine

Using DEF generally makes your vehicle last longer because the production of toxic gasses is minimized. This means the combustions in your vehicle’s engine are more efficient and you’ll use less fuel. DEF also reduces power consumption, and you won’t need to change your oil as frequently.

The post What Happens If You Run Out Of Diesel Exhaust Fluid? appeared first on In The Garage with CarParts.com.

https://ift.tt/RvFf4TD https://ift.tt/SrwhDiB https://notes.io//Tzb4 https://ift.tt/opORfUC https://ift.tt/uNtbGO1 https://ift.tt/cwhoRUb https://ift.tt/6YcqLuV https://ift.tt/B8GaiLk https://ift.tt/8wAFxTE https://ift.tt/1wA9l3n https://ift.tt/MuzJjxv https://ift.tt/n9TCI5Q https://ift.tt/Oz5euh7 https://ift.tt/ZuUTDHN https://notes.io//Tzxx https://ift.tt/Ed3cNK8 https://ift.tt/aCec2Qk https://ift.tt/nxue2RQ https://ift.tt/zGvJLAO https://ift.tt/W5tUvoI https://ift.tt/rygXCt8 https://ift.tt/KVhxFoU https://ift.tt/2htwVG4 https://ift.tt/AUGiLxj https://ift.tt/Dd6bTJt https://ift.tt/OFyfjET https://ift.tt/uEQn348 https://notes.io//TzdJ https://ift.tt/zUHnFpt https://ift.tt/yl3UxCu https://ift.tt/VHSc3mf https://ift.tt/qWKDcMA https://ift.tt/keGLS15 https://ift.tt/9BITY6P https://ift.tt/z4DKJlv https://ift.tt/WeJi6xK https://ift.tt/IpYwoR4 https://ift.tt/HWtsTzj https://ift.tt/Q7JgK4L https://ift.tt/YqPVOme https://ift.tt/u8OpVRh https://notes.io//Tzdn https://ift.tt/ZYXNpax https://ift.tt/OcYNM1x https://ift.tt/fQnU0Xv https://ift.tt/sMhglf2 https://ift.tt/WHOnC9V https://ift.tt/2ZmetoO https://ift.tt/0XKk9wo https://ift.tt/M3mE42S https://ift.tt/KlPMNOq https://ift.tt/LXdvpeV https://ift.tt/xBe1jrP https://ift.tt/tuzlGA9 https://ift.tt/V4SdsCj https://notes.io//Tzdm https://ift.tt/RqStZgd https://ift.tt/UxMYlSy https://ift.tt/fQnU0Xv https://ift.tt/FwCxgkE https://ift.tt/PE79njI https://ift.tt/bxONh3B https://ift.tt/3m5hiFr https://ift.tt/nVc5szJ https://ift.tt/bFCewWj https://ift.tt/gBVriUN https://ift.tt/ZbkY1Tc https://ift.tt/xFdaiEq https://ift.tt/yI318hD https://notes.io//TzxT https://ift.tt/M29vDjd https://ift.tt/qijxPSs https://ift.tt/GYQk1rR https://ift.tt/w1W03go https://ift.tt/vDqYUmc https://ift.tt/zDxVEiM https://ift.tt/oqPeLKA https://ift.tt/Q01YkUJ https://ift.tt/lTh78Nf https://ift.tt/nXK3xQ8 https://ift.tt/he9crpX https://ift.tt/W0JyF61 https://ift.tt/DCRWcTj https://notes.io//TzhL https://ift.tt/regsli4 https://ift.tt/k3jeNtX https://ift.tt/PAQM7gG https://ift.tt/EeU8cdQ https://ift.tt/GNmqEok https://ift.tt/CfHDGxL https://ift.tt/jDGfxWv https://ift.tt/Rpxni6L https://ift.tt/fTDqPI3 https://ift.tt/30j7kpN https://ift.tt/CYVZ6JH https://notes.io//Tzdb https://ift.tt/1LbGgK6 https://ift.tt/tolrNdh https://ift.tt/e1utiow https://ift.tt/2frTINw https://ift.tt/lUSABXW https://ift.tt/C0vwqk5 https://ift.tt/ONfQZy6 https://ift.tt/m7gcLCO https://ift.tt/RubH3hV https://ift.tt/piE9SUt https://ift.tt/jGMU2KD https://ift.tt/rpeBnox https://ift.tt/r12kw6A https://notes.io//TzsQ https://ift.tt/oxNpZw1 https://ift.tt/MNASm7x https://ift.tt/ycm4lgF https://ift.tt/yXIAlZv https://ift.tt/1qyHVma https://ift.tt/ZiRc4Kz https://ift.tt/BK4iYXs https://ift.tt/ErRz7v3 https://ift.tt/LambOGB https://ift.tt/307L2d4 https://ift.tt/GAfUVso https://ift.tt/xHm3KpY https://ift.tt/rHV07Rx https://notes.io//Tzdq https://ift.tt/i2fL5dt https://ift.tt/ve64mpG https://ift.tt/E2xYLRF https://ift.tt/4DOC1rT https://ift.tt/kQhFHxm https://ift.tt/sRQ3up1 https://ift.tt/fS4YU2m https://ift.tt/Da1PY0f https://ift.tt/1O7pkwy https://ift.tt/Ju9BRwt https://ift.tt/qCBJm3s https://ift.tt/j3hqkPF https://ift.tt/UJf2qOX https://notes.io//Tzja https://ift.tt/7injz1B https://ift.tt/2xKWi0g https://ift.tt/kAbXhZY https://ift.tt/x4nrQjp https://ift.tt/fLPYXbm https://ift.tt/7njQpo4 https://ift.tt/hYQOuB0 https://ift.tt/pYRw0eN https://ift.tt/7aFZIHi https://ift.tt/eQCN8m5 https://ift.tt/osNGZ1K https://ift.tt/ELaUjRy https://ift.tt/hsTvXlo https://notes.io//TzdH https://ift.tt/NIbGm9p https://ift.tt/HLMOApI https://ift.tt/eLNg2Xj https://ift.tt/kiDq9IE https://ift.tt/f1Pgsha https://ift.tt/hNVfW3j https://ift.tt/tSbOpnd https://ift.tt/8pJHZfM https://ift.tt/Uj35KxZ https://ift.tt/t8ugIyj https://ift.tt/Jw7jRE1 https://ift.tt/uQUk2Ip https://notes.io//TzpE https://ift.tt/xBephDj https://ift.tt/dirako1 https://ift.tt/wZHNC1i https://ift.tt/7Xngv1m https://ift.tt/EfqD0te https://ift.tt/jOfg57P https://ift.tt/UAoe1pC https://ift.tt/wjDh2iR https://ift.tt/d8M2wJy https://ift.tt/bUpGwdX https://ift.tt/5WPJEhK https://ift.tt/vDt2k3Z https://ift.tt/BVjDYgt https://notes.io//TzpN https://ift.tt/UdmFaDM https://ift.tt/WVSkQA5 https://ift.tt/qGm8xcp https://ift.tt/FHRaeLV https://ift.tt/0rew5I7 https://ift.tt/hPoRI81 https://ift.tt/fHwtL0h https://ift.tt/F5LMWGg https://ift.tt/WrHhzTV https://ift.tt/tNpKAWm https://ift.tt/gAHui3j https://ift.tt/AxlnXuV https://ift.tt/lBgoDep https://notes.io//Tzsb https://ift.tt/rVe0SJ9 https://ift.tt/9YVbgHx https://ift.tt/vQExKpb https://ift.tt/L7mqASf https://ift.tt/hPnJC2Y https://ift.tt/VZxQAMi https://ift.tt/KmuBhrf https://ift.tt/r5DO2Nj https://ift.tt/UKuDIWQ https://ift.tt/JsN1qhG https://ift.tt/s7yIbdh https://ift.tt/KaEbw6q https://ift.tt/PE2t0Zi https://notes.io//Tzat https://ift.tt/j2XgSw0 https://ift.tt/MQjg24x https://ift.tt/jcKhQVp https://ift.tt/yZWLAuU https://ift.tt/3QEX9oZ https://ift.tt/SusXBAw https://ift.tt/XWs2JAL https://ift.tt/ziUgjr7 https://ift.tt/hQ867EG https://ift.tt/Yre5t1h https://ift.tt/UsuyYzC https://ift.tt/APB7kir https://ift.tt/MyVBrNj https://notes.io//TzpW https://ift.tt/GeO73qc https://ift.tt/ystxSrI https://ift.tt/WdJ4B5T https://ift.tt/7Xngv1m https://ift.tt/ke58RLr https://ift.tt/GH9RcT1 https://ift.tt/Tjh5GFE https://ift.tt/wY2JNur https://ift.tt/ND16Aug https://ift.tt/IDKmrqy https://ift.tt/kn1ao6V