8 Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid 2024 | Put Money on the Right One

You are here searching for the best diesel exhaust fluid, so we are assuming you already know, otherwise, you wouldn’t be here. So without beating around the bush, let us get straight to the point.

Diesel exhaust fluids are extremely necessary and since there are dozens of models in the market, it becomes hard to choose one among them. The task here isn’t to choose a random model but to choose the ideal one. Not all the diesel fluids displayed are worth investing in. And those which are worthy, they are not easily found.

And that is exactly why today we are here! If you do thorough research, take different user’s opinions who have been using the fluid for a while, then you will definitely end up choosing the ideal diesel exhaust fluid. But that is both time and energy-consuming. And in order to save you both time and money, we have done all the work.

We have compiled a list of 8 best diesel exhaust fluids of the market. And have reviewed them in detail so that you know every inch about the product. So just sit back and scroll through the list. Your suitable model is just a few inches away from you.

How to Choose the Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid?

As we mentioned at the beginning, there is a lot of diesel exhaust fluid in the market and people can get confused easily. To be honest, there is nothing to be worried about if you know how to choose the best model. And if you don’t know how to, this section designed for you.

There are factors that separate a good diesel exhaust fluid from the rest. We have described each of those factors below, all you have to do is to consider them before you make a purchase decision. When you are buying a DEF, think of these factors and act accordingly.

So let’s get started!

Price

Diesel exhaust fluids don’t cost much, you should get the best DEF if you spend 8 to 10 bucks. But still, there are people who go for cheaper options, you shouldn’t do that. Because for a few bucks you will end up damaging the entire engine of your vehicle, yes, wrong and impure diesel fluids can damage the entire really bad. So the suggestion is to keep your budget within 8 to 10 dollars.

If you think the amount is much then you are probably not getting it. The vehicle engine is the most important part of your vehicle and you shouldn’t think about the amount of money when it comes down to the overall health of it. Good diesel fluids will require good money, and that is so obvious. And getting your hands on the right one will give you a satisfactory experience.

Used component

Different Diesel exhaust fluids are made of different components and not all components are effective. When you are out in the market for the idea DEF, check for two components. The first one is, 32.5% concentrated high purity automotive-grade urea.

And secondly, 67.5% concentrated deionized water. These two components are highly pure and they are completely safe for the vehicle engine. Other components are not as effective as these two are, so make sure you go for one of them.

License

If you find it really difficult to find out the suitable diesel exhaust fluid for your vehicle, there is another easy way that will lead you to DEF that wouldn’t damage the engine and will do its work effectively. So how do you do it?

After going to the store, you have to do only one thing and that is checking the licensing. There are different grades of DEF and some of them are licensed. Licensing means, that DEF is approved by the standard checker. And approved means, these DEF have gone through tests and they have passed. So when you are out for shopping DEF to look for the following licensing,

• International Organization for Standardization – ISO 22241
• American Petroleum Institute – API.
• Environmental Protection Agency – EPA.
• Aqueous Urea Solution Standard – AUS 32

Look for the seals of any of this standardization, if you see a DEF approved by any of these, then you can pick that up without any doubt. One more thing we must say, among these four standardizations, the ISO 22241 is the best. So initially look for DEF that are ISO 22241 approved, if you don’t find any, then go for others.

The Container Age

The age of the container also plays a big role. All the marketed DEF cans come with the possible information and as a customer, you need to look at that. Before you make a purchase decision, take a look at the can, there should be a set of numbers. We can’t tell the exact place where the numbers are since different manufacturers place them differently, but most of the time the label is under the can. If you don’t find it there, check on the top and around, you should get that.

As mentioned, there will be a set of numbers, where there will be a batch number, producing date, expiry date, etc. Reading the code is a little tricky, that’s why some people don’t understand that. The first number you will see, that should be the batch number. And after that, there will be six more digits which should be the date of when the can was filled with diesel.

Additional Tip

It would be best to go after the reputed brands, there will very little chance that you will pick an ineffective DEF. Old, well-known brands care about their reputation and since they price their products high, they make sure that is worth buying.

So you shouldn’t be a worry when you are buying diesel exhaust fluid from a well-known brand. And another thing, the ISO 22241 is the best certification, first, look for that and if you don’t find a DEF with ISO 22241 certification then go for others.

Top Rated 8 Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid Reviewed

In this segment, We have traced out the best-rated Diesel Exhaust Fluid as per verified purchase review. Start to read, and get the perfect one for your car which meets all the specifications and standards as per your need.

1. PEAK BlueDEF Diesel Exhaust Fluid

Among a few well-known top-quality brands, the BlueDEF is one! This brand is specialized in producing top-notch diesel exhaust fluids, they have been doing it for very long. The Peak blueDEF fluid is one of the best DEF you will find in the market right now.

It is not us who telling this, the users who have been continuously using are saying this. BlueDEF always produces fluids keeping EPA regulations in the mind, and that’s why their fluids beat off every competitor pretty easily.

And one very satisfying part of this fluid is, it is suitable with all the SCR systems, this flexible feature increased the popularity of this fluid to a great extent.

This DEF comes in a single package and 8 pack package, you can choose any. But the 8-piece package would be suitable for people who will be using the same brand DEF on the vehicle for a long time. Storing shouldn’t be an issue since you have to store them anywhere in the garage.

Another convenient thing is, doesn’t matter how cold the weather is, this fluid wouldn’t change its shape. Plus, you might get a little discount as well if you order an 8-pack package. The manufacturer has kept the price pretty reasonable so it is in everyone’s reach.

Moving on, there are some fluids of the market that are smelly and it becomes a little irritating for the user. However, this PEAK DEF002 is completely odorless and colorless. And not only that, it is very safe to use, you don’t have to worry if anyhow fluid comes in contact with your body.

With 1 gallon of this fluid, you will able to go for around 300 miles. And with 2.5 gallons of this PEAK DEF002, you can go more than 750 miles. Lastly, it is EPA certified, we have mentioned it before. It meets the ISO 22241 standard which is extremely reliable. The water and urea formula this DEF comes with, that’s worth investing.

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2. Valvoline Premium Blue Diesel Exhaust Fluid

EPA has set close to zero NOx emission standard and this Valvoline Premium Blue Diesel Exhaust Fluid meets it. Yes, this very fluid is capable of reducing the NOx emission near zero. And the way this DEF is designed it respects all the environmental policies, and it was checked by the government authorities.

It is an extremely stable diesel exhaust fluid and it is completely safe. This fluid is non-toxic, so it isn’t harmful to humans and nor for animals. So if anyhow the fluid comes in contact with your body, don’t worry at all, just clean it. Moreover, this is an odorless and colorless fluid, this is something users find very satisfying.

This Valvoline Premium Blue Diesel Exhaust Fluid is suitable for all the on-street and off-street vehicle SCR systems. But it more suitable for heavy trucks, pickups, SUVs engines. The fluids bring the engine condition in tune effortlessly.

Another satisfying part about this diesel exhaust fluid is, it is very easy to use, no mess at all. That being said, there is mixed thought of users about this Valvoline Premium Blue Diesel Exhaust Fluid.

Though most users agree that the effectiveness of this fluid is great, no doubt on that. But people seem to be a little unsatisfied regarding the price, they find it a little expensive.

On top of everything, this DEF meets the ISO22241 standard and the API standard as well. Since they are well certified, you shouldn’t worry much about the quality. It is a 2.5-gallon jug and with this amount, your vehicle should go more than 750 miles.

Lastly, the manufacturer packages the fluid with protective and dedicated equipment so that it remains contaminant-free and pure. So if you are thinking about going with the Valvoline Premium Blue Diesel Exhaust Fluid, you won’t go wrong.

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Read Also: Top Radiator Flush For Car Engine Coolant System Review

3. Blue Def DEF002-2PK Diesel Exhaust Fluid – Best DEF Fluid For Cummins

Another high-quality diesel exhaust fluid from BlueDEF, the DEF002-2PK exhaust fluid. This fluid is compatible with all the selective catalytic reduction system. And best for heavy-duty and medium-duty vehicles.

Like other models of this BlueDEF, this fluid also meets the EPA standard that makes it highly reliable fluid. The fluid consists of 67.5% pure water and 32.5% pure automotive grade urea. The fluid is also non-toxic and safe, so you don’t have to stress yourself much if the fluid comes in contact with the body.

Inserting this fluid inside the exhaust stream is pretty easy. When it goes to the Catalyst it converts the NOx emission to water and nitrogen very easily. This fluid is odorless and colorless.

Moreover, it meets the ISO 22241 standard and it is API certified as well. These certifications mean, the DEF is highly reliable since they got passed through the high quality and safety standard laid by the ISO and API.

People have mixed opinions regarding the price, some say the price is high and some say that’s fair. But we think the price could have a little lower.

However, there is one thing that we didn’t like about this very fluid that is, it is advertised to be 2 pack inside the box but people only get one piece. And if we keep that is mind, then obviously the price is not fair.

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4. Prestone HD1001-2PK Command Diesel Exhaust Fluid

Like BlueDEF, the Prestone is also a well-reputed and top-quality brand for diesel exhaust fluids. The brand is a world-class brand and it is serving the market for very long. This Prestone HD1001 exhaust fluid comes in different quantities so that you can choose the amount you will need.

The way this fluid is developed it suits all the SCR systems of different vehicles. Moving on, this DEF meets all the regulations of ISO and API. Not only that, but it also meets the EPA standard as well. It is a non-toxic exhaust fluid which is completely safe for human and animals.

Moreover, like other top quality diesel fluids, this one is also odorless and colorless. Plus, this fluid is extremely stable as well. For every 50 to 70 gallons of diesel, you will be needing 1 gallon of this Prestone HD1001 diesel exhaust fluid.

Though this diesel exhaust fluid is suitable for all vehicles they are best for heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks, pick up, etc. The manufacturer didn’t advertise this fluid model extra, you get the exact effect as the manufacturer has advertised.

The manufacturer packs the fluid pretty well so you won’t have to worry about spillage and pouring it inside the exhaust is pretty simple as well.

Having that said, there is something about this DEF that users didn’t like much. Though the fluid is very stable the price isn’t, it keeps fluctuating. And then the gallon you get is half-filled sometime.

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5. Genuine Ford Fluid PM-27-JUG Diesel Exhaust Fluid – Best DEF Fluid For Duramax

Do you know from where this Genuine Ford Fluid PM-27-JUG DEF comes from? The Ford! Yes, the mighty Ford! We don’t think we need to tell you anything about this very brand, it is a world-class vehicle brand that has users in every corner of the world.

If you own a Ford vehicle, then going with this Genuine Ford Fluid PM-27-JUG Diesel Exhaust Fluid will be the best decision. Because Ford recommends this fluid and this fluid is specially designed for Ford vehicles. Though the manufacturer is FORD, this DEF can be used in other SCR systems as well.

With the SCR catalyst, this DEF completely reduces the NOx emissions by converting that into water and nitrogen. It meets all the standards of the ISO 22241 and DIN70071, so you shouldn’t worry at all about the reliability of this fluid.

In order to make the fluid feeding easy, the nozzle is designed in a way that fits the filler opening of the Ford vehicles, from 2011MY. The nozzle suitability prevents overfilling which is very satisfying.

The price of this DEF is reasonable, it is not expensive at all. However, this DEF doesn’t come with any pour sprout, so you have to purchase one separately, though they are very cheap.

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6. Genuine GM Fluid 88862659 Diesel Exhaust Fluid

The ACDelco produces a line of fluids that increases the efficiency of the engine of your vehicle. This is indeed a great diesel exhaust fluid for using into the engines since the fluid is stable and it reduces the NOx emission to a great extent.

However, this Genuine GM Fluid 88862659 Diesel Exhaust Fluid is developed for use in Duramax engines and this fluid is actually best for Duramax engines. But that being said, this fluid has been very effective in other engines as well. In Chevrolet express and GMC Savannah vans, this fluid shows good effectiveness.

With this diesel exhaust fluid, you will need to refill the exhaust after every 1000 miles. Pouring the fluid into the vehicle is easy with a funnel and the funnel stops the fuel scattering. But the funnel doesn’t come with the fluid, you have to purchase that separately.

This Genuine fluid doesn’t contain any harmful additive that can harm the engine, so you don’t have to stress about that. The same goes for when you are using the fluid on non-GM vehicles as well. And this fluid meets all the EPA regulation which makes the fluid highly reliable.

As we said, this Genuine GM Fluid 88862659 Diesel Exhaust Fluid can be used any engine but you would still want to check if there is any recommendation from the engine manufacturer, if there is any recommendation, then go for that DEF.

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7. AD BLUE Diesel Emissions Fluid – Best DEF Fluid For 6.7 Powerstroke

The Adblue diesel emissions fluid is non-toxic and is safe for use. There is no need to worry if the fluid comes in contact with the body, just rinse that off, that won’t do any harm.

This fluid is a mixture of de-ionized water and urea, the urea is non-toxic that’s why the entire fluid is non-toxic. There is a myth that this AD Blue diesel emission fluid is made of pig urine, we don’t know where this came from.

This AD blue DEF is an extremely pure solution, pig urine is not sterile so there isn’t any chance that it will be used in commercial products.

When you inject the AdBlue DEF inside the engine, high temperature converts AdBlue DEF to carbon dioxide and ammonia. And inside the selective catalytic reduction catalyst, the ammonia and carbon dioxide reacts and turns the NOx emission to harmless water and nitrogen.

On heavy vehicles such as trucks, pickups, this Adblue diesel emissions fluid works incredibly. This is a four-bottle package, this makes pouring and storing the fluid very easy. However, we think the Adblue diesel emissions fluid is a little overpriced.

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8. ACDelco 10-4022 Diesel Exhaust Emission Reduction fluid

The ACDelco 10-4022 DEF is specially designed to use in GM vehicles, this works extremely well in those vehicles. But that being said, you can use this DEF in other vehicles as well.

The vehicle needs to have an SCR system obviously. This fluid is made of top-quality formula, the manufacturer has used highly pure urea and deionized water. There isn’t any kind of chemical additives in the fluid, and it is non-flammable, non-toxic, so it is safe for both human and your vehicle engine.

Pouring the fluid inside the engine is very easy with a nozzle but the nozzle doesn’t come with the fluid, you have to purchase that separately, though the manufacturer advertised that one nozzle is in the package.

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What is The Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid?

We all have heard the oil name Diesel and nearly all vehicles require it. But the problem with it is, it produces a large amount of black particulate matter which is something unpleasant. And that is exactly where the DEF strikes. The full form of DEF is Diesel Exhaust Fluid. It is not a fuel, it is a fluid and it helps to reduce the black particulate matters.

DEF is a non-toxic solution and it has deionized water (67.5%) and urea (32.5%). We can assume this DEF as a degreaser for the vehicle (Diesel operated vehicle). Like oil, you will have to fill it inside the vehicle but not the way you pour diesel in the tank.

There is a separated exhaust stream through where this fluid is poured in. Once the fluid is inside that will convert hazardous Nox emissions into nitrogen and water.

DEF doesn’t come in contact with any other oil of the vehicle, especially diesel, so don’t worry about the performance of the vehicle. This fluid is healthy for the vehicle engine, it improves the SCR system. Don’t know what is SCR? Check the below section.

What is SCR?

The full form of SCR is Selective Catalytic Reduction. It is a technology that has been invented after 2010. This technology was developed to reduce the vehicle’s dangerous emissions that come from diesel. And the SCR technology really works effectively.

As we mentioned above, DEF reduces hazardous dark emissions, that doesn’t do the job alone. SCR is also involved. Without SCR or the DEF, the process is incomplete.

SCR uses ammonia to reduce emissions. It continuously feeds ammonia gas. Where the ammonia gas comes from? The diesel exhaust fluid has Urea, and this Urea provides the SCR with ammonia gas. And that is how the emissions are broken down into nitrogen oxides and water. SCR technology increases the torque and increases the stability of the vehicles as well.

What are the Advantages of using DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)?

There is a myth regarding the use of diesel exhaust fluid which is, using DEF in the vehicle has more disadvantages than advantages. And this is completely wrong, we don’t know how and why people came up with this statement, it is valued less. However, there are a lot of undeniable advantages of using DEF is your diesel-powered vehicle, here are they!

• DEF is a non-toxic fluid.
• It is highly reliable and safe to use.
• This fluid doesn’t freeze even the weather is freezing.
• No worry about evaporation.
• Increases fuel mileage.
• Keeps the engine healthy.
• Completely eco-friendly.
• No air pollution.
• Prevents Nox emissions.

Many people think that NOx emission is no big deal, they say it because it doesn’t harm them directly and quickly. What is one of the major reasons behind the acidic rain? Nox Emission! Not only that, behind increasing greenhouse gases and smog Nox emission plays a big role. And this DEF is what breaks the Nox into nitrogen and water.

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Diesel Exhaust Fluid

Q1. Does the brand of DEF fluid matter?
Answer: Obviously, it does! Brand matters a lot when it comes down to buying anything. Because you can expect a top-quality product from a top-notch well-reputed brand. That being said, there are people who have their specific choice of brand, they always go for that brand.

However, if you are new and looking for top-notch brands, there is a bunch of them. Having that said, there are few from the bunch who always ensures top-notch quality, and users are also pretty satisfied with them. Take a look below

• ArmorBlue.
• Nissan.
• Prestone.
• BlueDEF.
• Valvoline.
• ACDelco.
• Ford Motorcraft.

All these brands differ from each other a little bit. They come with different urea amount, some come with a high amount and some less. Their ISO standards, impurities percentage, EPA regulation, etc. are different. But all of them are worth giving a try.

Q2. How often do you have to refill diesel exhaust fluid?
Answer: Well, that depends on how much the vehicle is being driven. On average, you should change the DEF of your vehicle every 5000 miles.

Q3. What to do if I want to change the DEF brand?
Answer: You can change the DEF brand, but you have to make sure the existing DEF in the tank is gone. If the oil DEF is remaining, that wait for it to be over and then add DEF from the new brand.

Conclusion

I hope you have got your hands on the best diesel exhaust fluid by now! All of these DEF are top-rated models of the market and they are working pretty fine. For you, the best would be to check first if the manufacturer of the engine has any recommendation or not. If there is any recommendation then go for that DEF, it would be the best for you!