Misleading DEF Gauge Warning - At least for my 2022

[2019_Ram]

I recently experienced a very frustrating issue with the DEF gauge on my 2022 3500. This was what I experienced while traveling empty. I had a 1/4 tank of DEF showing on the gauge and though for sure I would be able to make it 500 miles home without an issue... NOT! It was clear 150 miles into the trip, I wasn't going to make it without finding Def. Keep in mind, I made the entire 500 miles on 26 gallons of fuel...

• Def low warning light comes on one needle width below 1/4 tank.
• Less than 100 Miles later, at just above 1/8 tank, the dreaded 200 mile screw you Def message appears.

Why does this 200 mile screw you message come up before the Def is empty or the gauge even reading empty?
Why is the gauge not at all accurate? 1/4 tank of DEF should have easily allowed me to make a 500 mile trip empty.
The last 1/4 of Def on the gauge was disappearing extremely fast, probably only about 200 miles from 1/4 to what is shown in the picture.
I was finally able to find a place with power and added 3 gallons to the tank. This brought the level up to 3/4 tank (2nd pic), and should have barely hit half if it was an accurate gauge. This truck should hold a bit over 5 gallons.

And for all those who are wondering what the lovely message looks like, see the pictures. Not comforting when you are driving through an area that is experiencing massive power outages...

 

[Brutal_HO]

That stinks. Most average ~500 MPG of DEF usage unloaded.

While I've let mine run low enough to see that message on purpose, I wouldn't try to make a 500 mile run on a 1/4 tank without some DEF along for the ride..

I did so at the time with a jug of the stuff in the bed.

 

[elephantrider]

I had serious def paranoia when I had to worry about all that. I carried 2 boxes at a minimum, at all times.

 

[2019_Ram]

The 2019 I had would sip the stuff. It made the same trip with about a 1/4 tank left an still had over 1/8 left when I arrived. I guess I assumed they were similar enough they would behave the same. I got the low Def light several times in it, but never the 200 mile screw you message, even running it below 1/8 tank on a couple of occasions.

 

[2019_Ram]

I had serious def paranoia when I had to worry about all that. I carried 2 boxes at a minimum, at all times.

I think your paranoia is spreading. After this lovely experience, I will likely keep at least one box in the bed on any trip...

 

[elephantrider]

if it would have been a more even usage over time it would have been fine, but usage was so sporadic I didn't know what to plan for during road trips. yikes.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

if it would have been a more even usage over time it would have been fine, but usage was so sporadic I didn't know what to plan for during road trips. yikes.

The worse thing about the cold here i cant carry jugs as spare without bringing them in the house at night and i cant keep the tank full enough for a long trip without it freezing