Community Forums

momdoc · 12-20-2017, 05:40 AM

Can someone tell me if there is a difference between the "name" brand DEF or the "generic" you can find at Walmart (other than about $5-8 price difference). We buy our DEF there and fill our tank as needed. We always carry an extra 2.5 gal bottle just "in case".
momdoc

WeBeFulltime · 12-20-2017, 05:43 AM

The store brand in the blue plastic jug has worked fine for me for 3 1/2 years.

Snoopkat · 12-20-2017, 05:49 AM

I've used the Walmart blue can for 5 years and 45,000 miles without any issues.

HighDesert · 12-20-2017, 09:26 AM

DEF is pretty much DEF. I use the Walmart brand too. No issues.

Mrb1ll · 12-20-2017, 10:24 AM

I was in Walmart management for 18+ years and believe the store brand of DEF is made by Peak and packaged under Walmart’s name. That is typically what they do with most house brands, just contract with the name brand manufacturer to package with Walmart logo on the box. Example: House brand of oil is Quaker State in a different color bottle. Absolutely no other difference except the price is lower.

Gordon Dewald · 12-20-2017, 10:39 AM

We use the pumps at Flying J. Have had no issues. Have bought DEF twice from Walmart and no issues.

Prefer the ease of filling the DEF tank from a pump rather than trying to pour it in from a jug.

DGundy · 12-20-2017, 10:42 AM

Problem solved - I drive a Ford V10. Stabil for the winter.😁🚍🤠

wildcatter · 12-20-2017, 10:55 AM

I use Walmart DEF, 20k miles and no issues yet, the one thing I do is take the lid off the DEF container while at the store (before purchase) and verify the seal is in-tacked and it has not been messed with, there are dirt bags out there that will refill the container with water and return it, Walmart will take anything back. That will mess your system up and leave you stranded.

momdoc · 12-21-2017, 11:57 AM

Thanks for all the answers. I guess it is house brand from now on.
Curt thanks for the warning I would have never thought of that one

CC38EL · 12-21-2017, 07:39 PM

The other thing to check for is the expiration date. I didn't realize this, but DEF has a shelf life. And in higher temps, it's not long.

Expired DEF may still be good, but even my local WalMart folks have heard stories of expired DEF mucking up a good engine.

Here's Ford's official guidance:

https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...%20Quality.pdf

momdoc · 12-22-2017, 05:06 AM

CC38EL Another good point. Living where we do I am used to checking expiration dates on everything. Lots of stuff here in the grocery stores are already expired when they put it up on the shelf.

RJShiflet · 12-22-2017, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momdoc

CC38EL Another good point. Living where we do I am used to checking expiration dates on everything. Lots of stuff here in the grocery stores are already expired when they put it up on the shelf.

Recently in Costco my wife and I bought a package of bacon. Shame on me for not checking the "best by" date, because when I got it home it was 5 MONTHS out of date.

Yep - shame on me for not noticing, but shame on Costco for allowing it to ever be there that long past the shelf life. Trust me - we now check for dates on toothpicks or toilet paper now.

Gordon Dewald · 12-22-2017, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJShiflet

Recently in Costco my wife and I bought a package of bacon. Shame on me for not checking the "best by" date, because when I got it home it was 5 MONTHS out of date.

Yep - shame on me for not noticing, but shame on Costco for allowing it to ever be there that long past the shelf life. Trust me - we now check for dates on toothpicks or toilet paper now.

Take it back the next time you go to Costco.

chinobob · 12-22-2017, 09:17 AM

As mentioned, DEF is pretty much DEF. Walmart "private labels" their DEF so same stuff. The caution from Walmart is to cfm the seal on the container is in place! Happened to a friend where he bought Walmart DEF and it was water!

He was able to catch early so minimal damage but he had to take it in to drain the tank and some service work done. Not sure of the details other than alot of whining and $$$ spent. I prefer to buy at the pump as I fuel up at truck stops. DEF dispenser is next to fuel pump. Although my DEF tank is in a rear compartment, I move up a bit after fueling and load in DEF. (A bit of a hassle but not needed to often.) Usually about half the price of packaged DEF. Regardless where you get it, if it is in a container, insure seal is in place.