Persistent Refill DEF Soon warning - 2023 Digital Cluster

[scdo]

I have a 2023 2500 with the digital gauge cluster. When the truck hits 25% remaining DEF, I get the "refill def soon" (or something like that) warning.

I know this is by design, BUT... this warning comes back with an audible chime every 130 seconds. I've timed it and it is on the dot, every 130 seconds. Maddening!

Is this designed behavior? Maybe specific to the digital cluster?

 

[scdo]

Can anyone comment if this warning every 130 seconds (after hitting ~ 1/4 remaining DEF) is normal?... on 2023 or prior...

The manual doesn't explicitly state either way but it just feels excessive.

@RamCares - Any guidance? Is this by design?

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Can anyone comment if this warning every 130 seconds (after hitting ~ 1/4 remaining DEF) is normal?... on 2023 or prior...

The manual doesn't explicitly state either way but it just feels excessive.

@RamCares - Any guidance? Is this by design?

My 19 never gave a repetitive alarm just the one time when the light came on or when starting the truck with the def low

 

[Scotsmangav]

My 2023 2500 Rebel does the same thing.

I was on a long drive & had no option but to continue, hitting the OK button every 2 minutes.

The def got down even lower and another warning popper up & I think it stayed on, stating something along the lines of the truck will be limited to 5mph until it is refilled.

Luckily I was able to find a gas station & top the def off before I was forced to limp along.

 

[RamCares]

Can anyone comment if this warning every 130 seconds (after hitting ~ 1/4 remaining DEF) is normal?... on 2023 or prior...

The manual doesn't explicitly state either way but it just feels excessive.

@RamCares - Any guidance? Is this by design?

Hi there,

According to page 109 of your Owner's Manual, if the “DEF Low Refill Soon” message is ignored, the "Speed Limited to 5 MPH in XXX mi Refill DEF" message will display and the frequency of occurrence of the chime will increase unless up to 2 gallons(7.5 Liters) of DEF is added to the tank.
If you feel as though your vehicle is not properly aligning with this, we suggest setting up an appointment with your local dealer for diagnosis. If you choose to go that route, feel free to send us a private message for some additional support.

Lex
Ram Cares

 

[scdo]

Hi there,

According to page 109 of your Owner's Manual, if the “DEF Low Refill Soon” message is ignored, the "Speed Limited to 5 MPH in XXX mi Refill DEF" message will display and the frequency of occurrence of the chime will increase unless up to 2 gallons(7.5 Liters) of DEF is added to the tank.
If you feel as though your vehicle is not properly aligning with this, we suggest setting up an appointment with your local dealer for diagnosis. If you choose to go that route, feel free to send us a private message for some additional support.

Lex
Ram Cares

This is not the observed behavior. The alert kicks in at ~1/4 tank and then comes back every 130 seconds right from the start. Will send DM, thanks.

 

[Jimmy07]

This is not the observed behavior. The alert kicks in at ~1/4 tank and then comes back every 130 seconds right from the start. Will send DM, thanks.

The def gauge is not linear (or accurate) like a fuel gauge. Just out of curiosity, what happens if you were to add some DEF?

 

[scdo]

The def gauge is not linear (or accurate) like a fuel gauge. Just out of curiosity, what happens if you were to add some DEF?

Adding def makes it go away… it persists once at 1/4 only… I haven’t had the patience to go very long with the nag.

Manual talks about it getting more and more frequent but that’s not what happens… comes on right at 1/4 and then every 130 seconds. I would have expected one warning then a chance to actually take care of it.

 

[CortexM0]

Recently had this happen to me while driving through the middle of nowhere Arkansas. Based on gauge movement I had estimated I had plenty to make it to my destination. But once it got to 1/4 tank, there was a ding every couple of minutes. I drove like this for almost 30 minutes before making it to a truck stop to refill. Shortly before refilling I did get the speed limited in 125 miles message.

If that mileage estimate is accurate and the rate stays consistent, the refill DEF message (and corresponding "ding") would have displayed around 75 times before running out of DEF.

 

[sstoner911]

On long trips you should always have a jug of DEF with you if you are towing. If your not towing fill up on DEF before your trip.

 

[CortexM0]

The DEF gauge definitely appears to be non-linear. That last 1/4 of a tank can drop quickly. This time I was pulling my camper through the rockies on highway 50 in western Colorado. It only took 78 miles to go from 1/4 of a tank to reading empty. Not even my fuel gauge drops that quickly.

 

[ofishl1]

Hi there,

According to page 109 of your Owner's Manual, if the “DEF Low Refill Soon” message is ignored, the "Speed Limited to 5 MPH in XXX mi Refill DEF" message will display and the frequency of occurrence of the chime will increase unless up to 2 gallons(7.5 Liters) of DEF is added to the tank.
If you feel as though your vehicle is not properly aligning with this, we suggest setting up an appointment with your local dealer for diagnosis. If you choose to go that route, feel free to send us a private message for some additional support.

Lex
Ram Cares

Lex, this just happened to me today on a 2023 Ram HD with the DEF level reading above the 1/4 tank mark, so this message then is relative to the individuals guage as to "when" the message can appear, and not necessarily a "1/4 tank" level generated driven automatic message from the EVIC correct?

 

[RamCares]

Lex, this just happened to me today on a 2023 Ram HD with the DEF level reading above the 1/4 tank mark, so this message then is relative to the individuals guage as to "when" the message can appear, and not necessarily a "1/4 tank" level generated driven automatic message from the EVIC correct?

Hello there,

Approximately 5 gallons (19 Liters) of DEF is required to refill the tank when this message is initially displayed. However, we recommend reaching out to your local Ram dealer to discuss this further. They are best equipped to discuss with you, as our social team is not technically trained! Thank you for reaching out.

Lex
Ram Cares

 

[ofishl1]

Understood, there may be a float stuck issue ..next time I started the truck it read zero Def, when it was just over 1/4 on previous start that prompted the evic message..I added 2 gals and it shows a higher level now and the message is gone, adding Def may have jigged the float out of a stuck position, dealer visit required