NHTSA ID Number: 10222782
Manufacturer Communication Number: 20-NA-082
Summary
This informational bulletin explains why more DEF is being used in diesel engines due to new emission standards.
Condition
Some customers may comment that excessive DEF is being used.
Some technicians may find no codes set or messages on the DIC.
Information
The current 2020 Silverado/Sierra is the first to have a DEF level gauge on the IP. This is the first time a customer can see a representation of how much DEF is in the tank up to the full capacity of the tank. This gauge does not operate like the float style gauge that you have in your fuel tank. Because of this, you may see some fluctuation in the gauge. It may also take a few key cycles to register the correct amount in the tank after a fill event. With the new segmented DEF level gauge, it is possible that after adding 5 gallons (18.9 L) of DEF that the gauge reads as a full tank after the fill event. However, if the actual level of DEF is just entering the last segment on the gauge, the gauge is likely to drop by one segment shortly after driving after the fill event. This could give an initial impression that the vehicle consumes a lot of DEF.
Every year that GM produces vehicles with diesel engines, the requirements to reduce Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) in the vehicle exhaust continue to get more aggressive. Because DEF is required to reduce the NOx in the exhaust, DEF consumption will increase as NOx reduction requirements increase. When customers trade in an older model year diesel Silverado/Sierra for a newer model year, there will likely be an increase in DEF usage. DEF consumption increases as the newer vehicles meet the more stringent emission requirements for that model year.
The amount of DEF usage is also a function of how hard the engine is working, or engine load. Because of this, it is more representative to compare DEF usage to the amount of fuel used, also a function of engine load, instead of miles traveled. In addition to engine load, other factors that affect the DEF usage rate are the humidity, temperature, and altitude where the vehicle is operating.
Under certain conditions, the ECM will increase or decrease the amount of DEF used based on learning or adaptive algorithms. In the event of a malfunction and SES light, the ECM may double or even eliminate the amount of DEF that is being used. This will continue until the vehicle is repaired and until the learned value in the ECM is reset. When towing a trailer or when the vehicle is heavily loaded, the vehicle will use more DEF per mile. While the DEF usage at any one moment is calculated instantaneously based on the amount of NOx the engine produces, the average DEF consumed takes much longer to adjust down after the heavy load is removed from the vehicle. When a customer sees a message stating XXX miles to empty, this is based roughly on the average amount of DEF used. If the vehicle is heavily loaded during that XXX miles, the range will be lower. Conversely if the vehicle is not heavily loaded, the range will be more than XXX. For some customer usage scenarios, this can give the impression that the vehicle is using too much DEF when in actuality if you measure the amount of DEF consumed based on fuel consumption you will get a much more accurate measurement.
70 Affected Products
Vehicles
| MAKE | MODEL | YEAR |
| CADILLAC | ESCALADE | 2021-2023 |
| CADILLAC | ESCALADE ESV | 2021-2023 |
| CHEVROLET | COLORADO | 2020-2021 |
| CHEVROLET | EXPRESS | 2020-2022 |
| CHEVROLET | SILVERADO 1500 | 2020-2023 |
| CHEVROLET | SILVERADO 2500 | 2020-2023 |
| CHEVROLET | SILVERADO 3500 | 2020-2023 |
| CHEVROLET | SILVERADO 4500HD | 2019-2023 |
| CHEVROLET | SILVERADO 5500HD | 2019-2023 |
| CHEVROLET | SILVERADO 6500HD | 2019-2023 |
| CHEVROLET | SUBURBAN | 2021-2023 |
| CHEVROLET | SUBURBAN 1500 | 2021-2022 |
| CHEVROLET | TAHOE | 2021-2023 |
| GMC | CANYON | 2020-2022 |
| GMC | SAVANA | 2020-2022 |
| GMC | SIERRA 1500 | 2020-2023 |
| GMC | SIERRA 2500 | 2020-2023 |
| GMC | SIERRA 3500 | 2020-2023 |
| GMC | SIERRA DENALI | 2020 |
| GMC | YUKON | 2021-2023 |
| GMC | YUKON XL | 2021-2022 |
1 Associated Document
Manufacturer Communications
Bulletin No.: 20-NA-082
Date: September, 2022
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10222782
MC-10222782-0001.pdf 515.843KB
MC-10222782-0001
- ENGINEERED: For use in Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems on diesel engines
- EFFICIENCY: BlueDEF diesel exhaust fluid is key to helping improve fuel economy by up to five percent
- PROTECTION: Diesel exhaust fluid is non-toxic and safe to handle
- QUALITY: Stable, colorless and odorless, and also meets ISO Standards 22241 for purity and composition
- EFFORTLESS: Easily Inject the fluid into your exhaust stream with a specialized dosing module
- Designed to fit DEF ports
- No-mess splash guard
- Speed channels for quick pouring
- To prevent contamination, clean before each use
- Wide basin for clean no mess pouring
- Mixture of 32.5 percent high purity synthetic urea and 67.5 percent deionized water
- Helps convert nitrogen oxide into harmless nitrogen gas and water vapor for cleaner emissions
- Improves fuel economy by up to 5 percent
- Inject the fluid into your exhaust stream with a specialized dosing module
- Meets GM Original Equipment specifications to be approved for use in GM vehicles as well as in non-GM diesel vehicles that have an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system to meet regulated NOx emissions (Based on EPA certification testing. Your actual emissions will vary based on several factors including temperature, terrain, and driving conditions).
- High quality formula is made from high purity urea and deionized water.
- Meets API regulations and ISO 22241 standard for purity and concentration
- Nozzles sold separately
- Meets GM Original Equipment specifications to be approved for use in GM vehicles as well as in non-GM diesel vehicles that have an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system to meet regulated NOx emissions
- High quality formula is made from high purity urea and deionized water. It contains no chemical additives or other components that could cause SCR system failure
- Includes vented nozzle(s) that make pouring easy by helping to prevent glugging
- Has 1 complimentary nozzle. Extra nozzles sold separately
- Pack of 30, Main image is for representation purpose only
- The refractometer is a portable precision optical instrument used for measuring the diesel exhaust fluid concentration
- When a liquid sample is placed on the prism the light passing through it is bent and the more concentrated the liquid the more the light will bend
- The refractometer contains a reticle or scale that is enlarged through the eyepiece to measure this light and the values on the scale have been established to evaluate the DEF condition
- EPA regulations require all diesel engines manufactured on or after January 1 2010 to meet lowered NOx emissions standards
- Most heavy duty engine manufacturers have chosen to utilize SCR including Detroit Diesel DD13 DD15 DD16 Cummins ISX line PACCAR and Volvo-Mack
- Required for diesel vehicles equipped with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emissions after treatment system
- Reduces NOx emissions in diesel vehicles with an SCR catalyst
- AUS32 fluid meeting all the requirements and purity standards of ISO 22241 and DIN70071
- Nozzle specifically designed to fit the DEF filler opening of 2011MY and forward Ford diesel vehicles (as well as many competitive vehicles) and prevent over filling the DEF tank
- Use only dispensing systems that are compatible with DEF
- Item: Diesel Exhaust Fluid DEF
- Container Size: 2.5 gal
- Container Type: Jug"
Last update on 2023-06-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This product was presentation was made with AAWP plugin.
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Copyright 2022 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved. Service Bulletin Bulletin No.: 20-NA-082 Date: September, 2022 INFORMATION Subject: Information on Excessive Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Usage Brand: Model: Model Year: VIN: Engine: Transmission: from to from to Cadillac Escalade Models 2021 2023 LM2 Chevrolet Colorado 2020 2021 LWN Express 2020 2022 LWN Silverado 1500 2020 2021 LM2 Silverado 1500 2023 2023 LZ0 Silverado 1500 LTD (RPO J21, VIN Digit 5 = W / Y) Silverado 1500 New (RPO J22, VIN Digit 5 = A / D) 2022 2022 LM2 Silverado 2500HD/ 3500HD 2020 2023 L5P Silverado 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD 2019 2023 L5D Suburban 2021 2023 LM2 Tahoe 2021 2023 GMC Canyon 2020 2022 LWN Savana 2020 2022 LWN Sierra 1500 2020 2021 LM2 Sierra 1500 2023 2023 LZ0 Sierra 1500 Limited (RPO J21, VIN Digit 5 = 8 / 9) Sierra 1500 New (RPO J22, VIN Digit 5 = H / U 2022 2022 LM2 Sierra 2500/3500 2020 2023 L5P Sierra 4500HD, 5500HD, and 6500HD 2019 2023 L5D Yukon Models 2021 2023 LM2 Page 2 September, 2022 Bulletin No.: 20-NA-082 Involved Region or Country North America, Uzbekistan, Russia, Middle East, Israel, Palestine, Bolivia (West), Chile (West), Colombia (West), Ecuador (West), Paraguay (West), Peru (West), Uruguay (West), Japan, Cadillac Korea (South Korea), GM Korea Company, Thailand Condition Some customers may comment that excessive DEF is being used. Some technicians may find no codes set or messages on the DIC. Information The current 2020 Silverado/Sierra is the first to have a DEF level gauge on the IP. This is the first time a customer can see a representation of how much DEF is in the tank up to the full capacity of the tank. This gauge does not operate like the float style gauge that you have in your fuel tank. Because of this, you may see some fluctuation in the gauge. It may also take a few key cycles to register the correct amount in the tank after a fill event. With the new segmented DEF level gauge, it is possible that after adding 5 gallons (18.9 L) of DEF that the gauge reads as a full tank after the fill event. However, if the actual level of DEF is just entering the last segment on the gauge, the gauge is likely to drop by one segment shortly after driving after the fill event. This could give an initial impression that the vehicle consumes a lot of DEF. Every year that GM produces vehicles with diesel engines, the requirements to reduce Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) in the vehicle exhaust continue to get more aggressive. Because DEF is required to reduce the NOx in the exhaust, DEF consumption will increase as NOx reduction requirements increase. When customers trade in an older model year diesel Silverado/Sierra for a newer model year, there will likely be an increase in DEF usage. DEF consumption increases as the newer vehicles meet the more stringent emission requirements for that model year. The amount of DEF usage is also a function of how hard the engine is working, or engine load. Because of this, it is more representative to compare DEF usage to the amount of fuel used, also a function of engine load, instead of miles traveled. In addition to engine load, other factors that affect the DEF usage rate are the humidity, temperature, and altitude where the vehicle is operating. Under certain conditions, the ECM will increase or decrease the amount of DEF used based on learning or adaptive algorithms. In the event of a malfunction and SES light, the ECM may double or even eliminate the amount of DEF that is being used. This will continue until the vehicle is repaired and until the learned value in the ECM is reset. When towing a trailer or when the vehicle is heavily loaded, the vehicle will use more DEF per mile. While the DEF usage at any one moment is calculated instantaneously based on the amount of NOx the engine produces, the average DEF consumed takes much longer to adjust down after the heavy load is removed from the vehicle. When a customer sees a message stating XXX miles to empty, this is based roughly on the average amount of DEF used. If the vehicle is heavily loaded during that XXX miles, the range will be lower. Conversely if the vehicle is not heavily loaded, the range will be more than XXX. For some customer usage scenarios, this can give the impression that the vehicle is using too much DEF when in actuality if you measure the amount of DEF consumed based on fuel consumption you will get a much more accurate measurement. Parts Information No parts are required for this repair. Version 4 Modified Released April 03, 2020 Revised March 10, 2021 – Added 2021 to Model Year. Revised February 03, 2022 – Added 2022 and Towing Information in the Information section. Revised September 12, 2022 — Added the 2023 Model Year. GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a “do-it-yourselfer”. They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information. WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION
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