What is DEF?
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a new product required by many heavy-duty trucks, pickups, SUVs and vans delivered after January 2010. DEF is used to destroy harmful emissions in the exhaust and meet the EPA's latest strict environmental standards.
DEF is non hazardous and consists of 67.5% de-ionized water and 32.5% urea, and is used in combination with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology. It is sprayed into the exhaust and combines with a catalyst to break down NOx (a harmful pollutant) into nitrogen and water.
In January 2010 emissions legislation came into force which requires diesel vehicles to significantly reduce harmful emissions of NOx and particulate matter. A good way to meet these standards is to use SCR and DEF. The trucking industry has been split in two by this latest piece of rulemaking and manufacturers are pursuing two technology pathways. Daimler, PACCAR, Volvo, Mack, Isuzu, Hino, Ford, GM and others are using SCR, while Navistar has decided to go it alone and use an extension of its 2007 MaxxForce EGR technology.
SCR technology offers many benefits, most importantly great fuel efficiency. On top of this, owners of SCR vehicles will enjoy greater reliability and a longer oil change interval, all of which adds up to impressive savings over the life of the vehicle.
In 2011 some agricultural, construction and forestry equipment will have to meet more stringent emissions standards and a number of manufacturers will use SCR and DEF.
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You will find all the information you need to understand DEF, why it is used in your vehicle, and how it should be stored and handled. If you have a specific question please check our FAQ or contact discoverDEF.com's editor directly at chris.goodfellow@discoverDEF.com.
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Environmental benefits
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) reduces emissions by breaking the NOx down into harmless nitrogen and water. As part of the EPA's 2010 emission legislation vehicles also have to reduce particulate matter emissions, which have adverse health effects, and SCR helps this process too.
These two pollutants are associated with a wide range of health problems including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, aggravation of asthma, acute respiratory symptoms, chronic bronchitis and decreased lung function.
The EPA estimates that the new emission standards could prevent 8,300 premature deaths, more than 9,500 hospitalizations and 1.5 million work days lost due to illness, saving approximately $70.3 billion by 2030.
