Low Diesel Exhaust Fluid

A full DEF tank will last several thousand kilometers (miles), depending on vehicle use. As the exhaust fluid level drops, warnings will automatically appear in the DIC. The exhaust fluid level status is shown in the DIC. See “Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Level (Diesel Engine Only)” in Driver Information Center (DIC) (Base and Middle Level) or Driver Information Center (DIC) (Top Level).

To avoid vehicle speed limiting, the DEF tank must be refilled at the first opportunity after the low warning indication. If DEF is added before the EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW message appears, it may take several km/miles for the DIC message to update.

If vehicle speed was limited and DEF has been added, it may take up to 30 seconds after starting the engine with the vehicle stopped for the EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW message to clear. If the vehicle is driven before the DIC message clears, the vehicle speed will still be limited. If the DIC message clears while driving, the speed limit will be removed gradually.

If DEF is added in freezing conditions, additional time may be needed to clear the speed limit, and less fluid may be needed to fill the DEF tank.

The DIC message EXHAUST FLUID LOW: XXXX km (mi) is displayed at approximately 1,600 km (1000 miles) of remaining fluid range. This message appears again at approximately 500 km (300 miles) of remaining range before the exhaust fluid tank becomes empty.

At a range of less than 500 km (300 miles) remaining, these messages will appear each time the vehicle is started.

At a range of less than 121 km (75 miles) remaining, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID LOW SPEED WILL BE SOON LIMITED will be displayed. This message will appear each time the vehicle is started.

If these warnings are ignored and the DEF tank becomes empty, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW - 563 km (350 miles) TO 104 km/h MAX. SPEED is displayed. The displayed range will decrease as driving continues. The warning light also comes on.

When the range countdown reaches zero, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW - GOING TO 104 km/h MAX. SPEED is displayed. The warning light and chime also come on. The vehicle speed will be reduced to a maximum speed of 104 km/h.

After going to 104 km/h is complete, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW - SPEED LIMITED TO 104 km/h – 120 km (75 MILES) TO 88 km/h MAX. SPEED is displayed. The displayed range will decrease as driving continues. The warning light and chime also come on.

When the odometer countdown reaches zero, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY FILL NOW - DERATE TO 88 km/h MAX SPEED appears. The flashing warning light and chime also activate. The vehicle speed will be limited to a maximum speed of 88 km/h.

After the derate to 88 km/h is complete, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY REFILL NOW - SPEED LIMITED TO 88 km/h – 120 km (75 MILES) TO 8 km/h MAX SPEED appears. The odometer display will decrease as driving continues. The flashing warning light and chime also activate.

When the odometer countdown reaches zero, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY FILL NOW - DERATE TO 8 km/h MAX SPEED appears. The flashing warning light and chime also activate. The vehicle speed will be limited to a maximum speed of 8 km/h.

After the derate to 8 km/h is complete, the DIC message EXHAUST FLUID EMPTY FILL NOW - SPEED LIMITED TO 8 km/h (5 mph) appears. The warning light and chime also activate.

Add at least 7.6 L of fluid to reset the vehicle speed limit from a very low or empty tank. The DEF tank capacity is 18.5 L.

Refer to Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Indicator Light and Recommended Fluids and Lubricants.