DEF range low

[24redDenali]

I got a message on my phone, but the truck showed almost full. I was able to add about 2.8 gallons before it overflowed. It still showed 1 bar down and error on app.

 

[pa31p]

Probably software update may fix this. never bothered with it but mine warns about 1000 miles out. little early I think too.

 

[RK58]

I had the software reprogrammed twice when I first got the vehicle and now it is acting exactly like yours. Filled mine went on a 2,000 mile trip and only reading 1 bar down, I knew it wasn't correct added 2.5 gallons of DEF when back home. I will live with the problem luckily DEF is readily available everywhere.

 

[Stbentoak]

Yes, these gages are a pretty inexacting science.. I pretty much just run mine till I get the thousand-mile warning, dump in 2.5, and keep motoring till the warning comes back.
This way, it's always fresh, I know I can go at least six to 10,000 miles before I get another warning, which is usually another year or so. 8 bucks at Walmart. It's really a no big deal.....

 

[JayceeP]

I encountered this issue about 2500miles into ownership while towing a jet ski and a loaded truck with wife, kid, dog, and gear for a 1-week cottage trip. I put one jug of DEF in before I left (about 250miles one way) and got this warning about 400 miles later when almost home. I finished the drive and once I got home I put nearly 2 jugs of DEF in before the tank over flowed (probably got 80% of the 2nd jug in). I drove for about 10-15 mins and finally all the warnings on the truck went away, first starting with the DEF low lock out screen and then that other range warning that comes up. Or, it might have been a check engine light. Either way, both resolved themselves with a little bit of driving however the app wouldn’t clear itself. I was about to head out on another 500 mile trip the following week so I booked it into the dealer. They did a software update and said all was good with the truck, sometimes the app just doesn’t jive.

By the sounds of it, as long as the truck warnings are gone, you shouldn’t have any system lock out issues with reduced speed regardless of what the apps says but I still don’t like that there’s these little demons happening.

3,500 miles later I haven’t had this issue since it happened back in early August. I’m somewhat inclined to see if it will take a jug of DEF fluid to see how much I’ve burned but I’ve seen other posters get much more range on a DEF tank if they aren’t towing. Most of my miles in the Yukon are highway and I only towed the jet ski once since August and that was 20 mins down the highway and back to get winter maintenance done in late October. Also had a few more miles on the ODO at that time so truck was probably performing more optimally too.

Edit- I think what happened is the dealer didn’t fill up my DEF tank before I drove it off the lot and probably had minimal DEF to begin with.

 

[Stbentoak]

I can't believe it would even know it was towing a Jet ski! I used to pull mine to the launch with my Polaris Ranger!
Something definitely wrong with it if you used that much....

 

[JayceeP]

I can't believe it would even know it was towing a Jet ski! I used to pull mine to the launch with my Polaris Ranger!
Something definitely wrong with it if you used that much....

lol… I forgot to add. I think what happened was the dealer didn’t top up the DEF tank before I took it off the lot in late April which is why I somehow “used” so much DEF in 2500 miles. I’m not sure what the factory adds for DEF but tank must have only been 1/4 full or something. But again, I did throw a jug in before the road trip and then added like 1.5-1.75 jugs after I got back 500 miles later and that’s when the def tank overflowed.

 

[Stbentoak]

I would say upon delivery... they are half full at maximum, or less....
I always stipulate on purchase agreement, Full tank of fuel and full tank of DEF upon delivery.

 

[JayceeP]

I would say upon delivery... they are half full at maximum, or less....
I always stipulate on purchase agreement, Full tank of fuel and full tank of DEF upon delivery.

Yeah I didn’t even think of it. New to owning a diesel. It was fresh off the truck…. Got them to put my 22” black wheels on, do the 10 year rust proofing treatment, and took delivery. Gas tank and windshield washer fluid tank was full at least lol

 

[TOP GEAR]

With my 24 Denali I often tow a 3500 lb trailer with a race car. Usually 400 to 600 miles one way. It will always start telling me on the way home that I'm about to run out and go into limp mode. If you stop and add def it might take 2 gallons. If you ignore it and let tell it's go into Limp mode, the screen tells you it is but never happens. On one trip last year I drove the rest of the way home, 250 miles then added 3 gallons. The dealer has been talking to GM about it. It clearly is bad software that they don't have a handle on. I had it to the dealer for 2 days and they are doing there best. this is a GM problem that is very frustrating for the customer. Other than that it's a great tow