# Difference Between Northern and Southern Diesel Exhaust Fluids

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/difference-between-northern-and-southern-diesel-exhaust-fluids/174653>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Tags:** f250, ford\
**Created:** [January 31, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/difference-between-northern-and-southern-diesel-exhaust-fluids/174653 "2021-01-31T20:38:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jmunger\_147335](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@jmunger\_147335](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jmunger_147335)\
**Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/difference-between-northern-and-southern-diesel-exhaust-fluids/174653/1 "2021-01-31T20:38:01Z")

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I live in Maine and drive a 2016 Ford F-250 6.7 diesel with mileage of 23,000. I was in North Carolina for a week, and added a gallon of DEF to my 5 gallon tank to top it off from a bulk tank at a local service station there. I usually use BlueDEF and have never had a problem with it. My vehicle is now showing a P206A error code (DEF System Error). The temperature has dipped into the mid-single digits several days lately. Is there a difference between northern and southern diesel exhaust fluids that could cause this error code?

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**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ad7895/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan2](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan2)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2021, 6:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/difference-between-northern-and-southern-diesel-exhaust-fluids/174653/2 "2021-02-01T06:04:51Z")

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My unqualified answer is no. Let us know if there is a difference. I used to think that diesel exhaust fluid was the crud that splashed onto the garage door if you don’t open it before you start the truck.

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**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2021, 6:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/difference-between-northern-and-southern-diesel-exhaust-fluids/174653/3 "2021-02-01T06:30:58Z")

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Mid single digits is cold enough to freeze DEF, but if you run the truck it should eventually start to thaw, DEF is sold under many brands but as far a I can find the BluDEF you buy in Maine is supposed to be the same as what you’d find anywhere else.

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**Author:** ![jmunger\_147335](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@jmunger\_147335](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jmunger_147335)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 1:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/difference-between-northern-and-southern-diesel-exhaust-fluids/174653/4 "2021-02-03T01:27:13Z")

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I should mention that I typically buy and use BlueDEF at home in Maine but during my week-long trip to North Carolina I bought DEF from a bulk tank so it could be a different brand. My guess is that it was not BlueDEF.

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**Author:** ![jmunger\_147335](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@jmunger\_147335](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jmunger_147335)\
**Post date:** [February 3, 2021, 1:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/difference-between-northern-and-southern-diesel-exhaust-fluids/174653/5 "2021-02-03T01:50:28Z")

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Sure thing!!