Will DEF freeze in my truck?

Diesel Exhaust Fluid or DEF Fluid

How do I stop my truck from freezing in DEF?

Storing your truck in a heated or insulated garage during cold periods can help prevent your DEF from freezing. Likewise, an insulated tote blanket can help prevent freezing.

What happens if your DEF fluid freezes?

Frozen DEF can affect your ability to pump it into your truck's selective catalytic reduction, or SCR, system. It can also expand to crack or damage holding tanks on your truck or property.

Can DEF be stored in outside in winter?

DEF packages and bulk storage should be kept indoors in temperature-controlled environments, or in heated sheds or tanks if required to be stored outside. Check the expiration. Urea is vulnerable to degradation from sunlight and extreme temperatures making DEF's storage life variable.

Does DEF have a freezing point?

Made from a mixture of technically pure urea and purified water, DEF freezes at 11 degrees Fahrenheit and needs to be properly maintained and dispensed to preserve its quality.

At what temperature will DEF fluid freeze?

Diesel Exhaust Fluid or DEF Fluid

Whether in storage tanks or in equipment, DEF can freeze and possibly cause issues. As temperatures drop below 12°F, DEF will begin to solidify and not work as intended.

How does DEF fluid not freeze?

Prevent Freezing

However, its freezing point isn't the same as water because of the urea, so it typically won't freeze until the temperature is lower than 12 degrees Fahrenheit. If the DEF freezes in your vehicle's tank, there's no need to worry because it will quickly thaw and the quality is unaffected.

Does DEF freeze solid?

“DEF will begin to 'slush' before it freezes and will ultimately freeze into a solid state when the fluid temperature reaches 12 degrees F,” Kladder says.

How do you unfreeze a DEF tank?

Keeping your DEF tank less than full in cold temperatures is a good idea. If DEF freezes in the machine, do not put any additives in the tank to help it melt, API says. DEF needs to remain pure for it to work correctly. Instead, the heating element in the DEF tank will thaw it while the machine is running.

Can you store DEF fluid outside?

If DEF is stored outside it must be kept shaded from the sun. DEF will begin to lose its urea potency if kept in direct sunlight for too long. Store DEF below 86°F (30°C) or in the coolest part of the storage facility. If storing DEF below 86 °F (30°C) is not possible, manage the inventory accordingly.

Does DEF go bad if frozen?

DEF isn't harmed by freezing, good news for those who live in colder climates. Because it's 2/3 water, it begins to turn slushy at 12 degrees Fahrenheit and will freeze solid. One thing to keep in mind is DEF will expand when frozen, so it's best not to fill containers completely full to avoid damage to them.

What happens if diesel exhaust fluid freezes?

The potency of the components will not change when frozen. It will solidify in the DEF tank. The location of the DEF tank is near the diesel fuel tank or where you place the spare tire. There is no need to worry as frozen DEF will quickly thaw.

Do you use more DEF in cold weather?

The colder the temperature, the less DEF you will use.

Does temperature affect DEF?

How Do Temperatures Affect DEF? Fortunately, as DEF freezes, it does not affect the vehicle operation. SCR systems provide heat to the DEF tank and lines during vehicle operation. No matter the temperature outside, the SCR system thaws the DEF tank to keep it flowing.

What temperature should DEF be stored at?

DEF should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, out of direct sunlight. While the optimum storage temperature is up to 77 deg F (25 deg C), temporary exposure to higher temperatures has little to no impact on the quality of DEF.

How do you store DEF outside?

DEF INVENTORY STORAGE LEVELS

Store DEF out of direct sunlight. If DEF is stored outside it must be shaded from the sun. SHELF LIFE SHOWN IN THE BELOW CHART, IF AVERAGE DAILY TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUALLY EXCEED THOSE SHOWN IN THE CHART BELOW. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD DEF BE KEPT FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS.

Where do you store DEF?

The best temp to store DEF is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that prolonged exposure to sun can harm DEF's composition so keep DEF stored indoors or in a well-shaded area.

What is the best way to store DEF fluid?

According to ISO22241, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) needs to be stored in a cool, dry place. Ideally storage temperatures should be between 12°F (11°C) and 86°F (30°C). The reason of this recommendation is due to the fact that DEF can lose its potency if stored above 86°F for prolonged periods of time.

Can you store DEF in a steel tank?

Certain stainless steels and various plastic materials are suitable for storing DEF. Carbon steels, copper, copper-containing alloys, and zinc-coated steels should not be used. Bulk storage tanks should be dedicated to DEF.

How long does DEF last in a truck?

The American Petroleum Institute recommends that you determine when DEF was put in the vehicle. The storage life of DEF is about 12 months in optimal conditions. If DEF has been stored in the vehicle over the past 12 months, it is recommended that it be drained and replaced.

Can DEF be stored in a metal container?

Store DEF in dedicated containers, preferably stainless steel drums or HDEP plastic totes or gallon jugs. DEF is not toxic but is corrosive to metals such as carbon steel, aluminum, copper and zinc. Never uses containers that might have been used to store other fluids.

At what temp does DEF degrade?

DEF shelf life is reduced when temperatures are not properly regulated and reach above 86 degrees Fahrenheit. This can cause the DEF to decompose, making it unusable or even harm your vehicle.