What's new
By:
Ram Heavy Duty Forum

Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

New to Diesel Guy concerned about DEF usage in a new 2022 2500 RAM

S

StrayCat

Member
Messages
77
Reaction score
22
Points
8
Hi Guys, just got my first diesel 3 weeks ago. And I think my truck is using alot of DEF

I've done ~1400 km (~870 miles) so far in my new truck
So far ive used about 6.5 - 7 litres of DEF (1.7 to 1.8 Gallons)

for fuel economy / consumption - Im averaging about 13 Litres per 100km (21-22 MPG)

No towing, mostly highway driving

is this considered normal DEF usage or excessive DEF usage ?

do I need to visit the dealer ?

I have read that it should be 2-3% of fuel used. I believe I'm in excess of that (I'm closer to 3.6% of fuel used , if my math is correct)
I have also read that it should be about 2 Gal /800 miles (which seems more than 2 or 3%), Im at 2 Gal / 836 miles
 
These trucks use a lot more DEF than previous, 18 and earlier. I wouldn't worry about it.
 
I’ve been keeping track of DEF using RoadTrip app since about 5,000 miles on my truck. As of last DEF fillup total tracked miles was 19,521 and average DEF usage was 498 miles per gallon. At 24,500 miles on my truck, that includes 10,000 towing a fifth wheel and the rest is about 60/40 city/highway. I don’t think your usage is extreme.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot 2023-03-21 at 8.41.56 PM.png.png
    Screenshot 2023-03-21 at 8.41.56 PM.png.png
    338.6 KB · Views: 36
I would get about 2k km to 2.5 gal of DEF on my 19 so your about where they run. Also depends on your driving habits and use of the truck the DEF usage will vary

Your math is off for the MPG though 13L/100 is 18mpg
 
Unless you are throwing a code a dealer visit will be a complete waste of time, they will not do a thing.


.
 
Sounds about right. I believe the 22's without the DPF sensors are programmed to use more DEF to make up for the lack of the sensor. Or at least that's what I've read. My 22 2500 seems to go through DEF a little faster than my 18 2500 did. Hopefully when they finally get those sensors in stock and installed, that will bring the DEF usage down a bit.
 
Last edited:
Great info here:

DEF INFO

From the PDF:

DEF Usage
Q. How much DEF will a truck consume? A. DEF consumption is expected to be approximately 2% of fuel consumption, depending on vehicle operation, duty cycle, geography, load ratings, etc.
Q. What is the number of miles a truck can expect to travel on one gallon of DEF? A. DEF consumption is directly related to fuel consumption. A truck averaging 6 MPG can expect to go approximately 300 miles on one gallon of DEF.
Q. How can an operator determine how much DEF they will need/use? A. DEF consumption will be approximately 2% of the diesel fuel consumed. Another way to consider it is that DEF will be consumed on a 50 to 1 ratio with diesel. (For every 50 gallons of diesel fuel burned, you will use 1 gallon of DEF). If you know the average fuel consumption of a vehicle, you can easily calculate the amount of DEF that will be used.
 
jebruns said:
Sounds about right. I believe the 22's without the DPF filters are programmed to use more DEF to make up for the lack of the sensor. Or at least that's what I've read. My 22 2500 seems to go through DEF a little faster than my 18 2500 did. Hopefully when they finally get those sensors in stock and installed, that will bring the DEF usage down a bit.
Click to expand...
I noticed the same from my ‘18 to ‘22. My ‘22 more DEF thirsty.
 
CharlieL said:
I’ve been keeping track of DEF using RoadTrip app since about 5,000 miles on my truck. As of last DEF fillup total tracked miles was 19,521 and average DEF usage was 498 miles per gallon. At 24,500 miles on my truck, that includes 10,000 towing a fifth wheel and the rest is about 60/40 city/highway. I don’t think your usage is extreme.
Click to expand...
Thanks, my latest check suggests I’m getting the same. At least 800km/gallon of DEF (500miles).

My fuel economy was very good today 10 litres per 100km highway (22.4 MPG)
 
StrayCat said:
Thanks, my latest check suggests I’m getting the same. At least 800km/gallon of DEF (500miles).

My fuel economy was very good today 10 litres per 100km highway (22.4 MPG)
Click to expand...
You must be using the display… there is a slim chance you are getting 22mpg
 
Based on km travelled and fuel added before and after the drive. Started and end with a full tank. I didn’t have the display “reset” so it’s just showing the average since I got the truck which is higher. I should be more accurate though , 10.4 l/100km. As I travelled 541 km and pumped 52 litres of fuel to refill it.

It was 100% highway though, and I kept the speed between 100km/hr and 110km/ hr to see just how good I could get it.

If I push her past that sweet spot she drinks a bit more for sure.

Next time I’ll use the display after a reset and see what it says.

Previous trip I was less careful and was getting about 12.5 litres per 100km (18mpg) on the same highway
 
Last edited:
StrayCat said:
Based on km travelled and fuel added before and after the drive. Started and end with a full tank. I didn’t have the display “reset” so it’s just showing the average since I got the truck which is higher. I should be more accurate though , 10.4 l/100km. As I travelled 541 km and pumped 52 litres of fuel to refill it.

It was 100% highway though, and I kept the speed between 100km/hr and 110km/ hr to see just how good I could get it.

If I push her past that sweet spot she drinks a bit more for sure.

Next time I’ll use the display after a reset and see what it says.

Previous trip I was less careful and was getting about 12.5 litres per 100km (18mpg) on the same highway
Click to expand...
If thats hand calculated thats actually pretty good. Before my delete highest i could get was 20 now i can get about 24-25MPG
 
Lol, my last Hemi 5.7 8 speed wasn’t better on MPG. Nor my TITAN.

So far re MPG I’m happy, just the DEF thing has me spooked a bit
 
Last time I was at the dealer for a recall they did and update that was suppose to fix def usage.. seems to have helped.. not sure of the numbers yet..
 
This DEF thing is going to be a whole new bucket of worms for me. Current truck is 2001 Cummins, 2023 here in about 3 weeks. Hopefully learning curve is flat?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top