DEF Fluid

[Camperbill]

Hello Group,
Have now gone out twice with the 2013 Meridian, so far only issue is that when it rained the check engine light came on and the dial speed indicator stopped working. I was wondering if up here in the Northeast will the DET fluid freeze? Do you have to drain it when winterizing it? Going out to the Ma. Samboree this coming Memorial Day weekend should be a good time I hope weather is good. Safe Travels.

Camper Bill

[Skip426]

Any chance you mean " DEF "

For the check engine , speedo, check the wiring on the trans sensors, to make sure they are properly seated and water tight.

DEF ; currently in use in new pick ups , and if it froze there would be no one buying diesel pick ups.

[Selah2]

DEf will freeze at about 12 F. However it does not degrade the fluid and most DEF tanks are heated in some fashion, either electric or engine heat. There is nothing you need to do with the DEF other than NEVER run the tank dry.
As far as the check engine light make an appointment at the nearest service center and have then read any codes from the OBDI port.

[GaryKD]

Hi Camperbill,
DEF, comprised of 32.5% urea and 67.5% deionized water, doesn’t have the freezing point of water. The urea mixture has a much lower freezing point of 12 degrees Fahrenheit, which is -11 degrees Celsius. This solution doesn’t break into just urea and just water, either. The solution freezes at the same rate, and also thaws at the same rate. This means that at no point does the DEF freezing cause the solution to become over concentrated or diluted. Since DEF freezing and thawing occurs at the same rate, there is no harm to the product which means that the urea solution is still safe to use if it has been frozen!

The DEF tank should be close to the engine. Even in freezing weather, the engine will run fine, without damage until the engine heat thaws the DEF so it will flow according to the need.