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How do I keep my DEF from freezing?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 06, 2026

Preventing Frozen 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. More details about your truck's specific after-treatment system can be found in TruckSeries.

How do you stop DEF fluid from freezing?

Can Anything Be Added to Prevent DEF Freezing? Many want to know if anti-gelling or freeze-point-improver can be added to the DEF mixture to prevent freezing. DO NOT put additives into the urea solution because DEF must remain pure. The quality of DEF is extremely important for proper performance.

How do I stop DEF from crystallizing?

How do you prevent "DEF creep"? Make sure all fittings that come in contact with DEF are tight and proper seals are used. Try minimizing breaking connections and wipe down any urea crystallization as soon as it forms. Water can be used to easily wash off urea that has crept onto the truck, tank or dispensing equipment.

How cold does it have to get for DEF fluid to 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 do you winterize a DEF fluid?

Push the DEF pump switch to "Trailer Fill". Allow the pump to run while squeezing the nozzle handle for 30 seconds. Unhook the quick coupler from the nozzle WHILE THE PUMP IS RUNNING. This will evacuate the DEF fluid from the nozzle.

35 related questions found

How do you defrost a DEF tank?

If DEF has frozen up in your vehicle, do not put any additives in the tank to help it thaw - DEF much to remain pure for it to work correctly. Your vehicle should start without a problem and the DEF tank has a heating element that can quickly thaw the DEF.

What happens if your DEF freezes?

There is no need to worry as frozen DEF will quickly thaw. If your vehicle has an installed SCR, it will do its job to regulate the heat of the DEF tank. The problem arises when you overfill your DEF tank. Due to its water content, it would expand to 6.5- 7% when freezing.

Can you store DEF outside?

If you store DEF outside, it must be kept out of direct sunlight and stay under shade. If it is kept in direct sunlight for any sustained period of time, it begins to lose its urea potency. DEF must be stored below 86°F or in the coolest area of your storage facility.

How do you winterize a diesel engine?

Five Tips for Winterizing Heavy-Duty Diesel Engines

  1. Tip 1: Treat the fuel. ...
  2. Tip 2: Drain the water separator and replace filters. ...
  3. Tip 3: Check the coolant system. ...
  4. Tip 4: Prepare the Battery. ...
  5. Tip 5: Clean and inspect the exterior.

Is there an additive for DEF fluid?

If you're new to having a diesel truck or heavy equipment, there's a critical additive you need to know about. It's called Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). This additive is also called aqueous urea solution 32% or AUS 32. It's made from 32.5% urea and 67.5% de-ionized water.

Can def fluid crystallized?

DEF crystallizes when stored for prolonged periods as the water evaporates. Do not use DEF that shows signs of crystallization and always completely use a container to avoid storing opened containers.

How do you clean a contaminated DEF tank?

There is no way to clean out the drum after the Diesel Exhaust Fluid has been contaminated without compromising the integrity of any remaining product. Drums are the easiest to get contaminated, simply because anyone can open and close them. Drums are one way systems, and should be thrown out after each use.

How do you clean urea crystals?

Acetic acid aqueous solution of 50% - 80% mass percent concentration is soaked at temperature of 30 celsius degrees to 50 celsius degrees to dissolve urea crystals and then the urea crystals are cleaned by water, and so removing of urea crystals on the pipeline wall is realized.

Is there an additive to keep DEF from freezing?

If DEF freezes in the vehicle, do not put any additives in the tank to help it melt. The fluid needs to remain pure for it to work correctly. The engine will start without a problem, and the tank has a heating element that can quickly thaw the DEF.

What temp does DEF freeze Celsius?

What Temp Does DEF Freeze? If your Diesel Exhaust Fluid is made with the recommended 32.5% urea concentration, you'll get the lowest possible DEF freezing point of 12 degrees Fahrenheit or -11 degrees Celsius.

Is it better to keep your DEF tank full?

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. After it has been frozen, DEF can be thawed and used with no issues.

Do Diesels run better in cold weather?

Diesel engines are harder to start in cold weather because they depend on high temperatures created by compression to ignite the injected fuel. In fact, it is five times harder to start a diesel engine at 0°F (-17°C) than it is to start one at 80°F (26°C).

Can diesel fuel freeze?

Diesel freezes.

If the process continues further, the fuel may gel completely forming a semi-solid of waxy goo. In this state, the fuel can no longer flow to the engine and the vehicle is unable to run! The term “gelled” is a commonly coined phrase for inoperable equipment in cold environments.

How cold is too cold for diesel?

Your fuel tank will turn into a gel at a temperature of 15F-9C at which point diesel fuel will become gel. If you are below 15 degrees, you will not be able to start the engine. Anything below 9 degrees is not going to work.

What temperature can you store DEF?

For maximum Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) shelf life, store between 68°F (20°C) and 23°F (-5°C). Keep DEF out of direct sunlight. 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.

How do you store DEF?

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.

Can you store DEF outside in winter?

If you can, reduce the amount of DEF you have on-site for winter. Hold a bulk pre-order until late winter or spring. The urea will degrade over time. Keep it in plastic or stainless steel tote or container.

How do you winterize a diesel truck for storage?

How to Store a Diesel Truck

  1. Find a space to store your truck. ...
  2. Prepare the space. ...
  3. Change all the truck's engine fluids. ...
  4. Top up the gas tank with diesel and fuel-system stabilizer. ...
  5. Clean the truck very thoroughly, both inside and outside. ...
  6. Apply a thick coat of wax to every exterior painted surface.

How do you clean DEF fluid?

Because DEF is relatively clean and non-toxic, spills are not a cause for alarm. For relatively minor spills, simply cover the liquid with an absorptive material such as sand, to soak up the liquid. Then the sand can be scooped up and shoveled into a container for disposal via your standard disposal service.

What neutralizes uric acid?

Two long-term medications for gout are allopurinol and febuxostat. This is the most commonly used drug. It is usually taken once a day, and works by lowering the amount of uric acid produced by the body. After uric acid levels are measured, people are usually prescribed a low dose to start with.