Blue Def vs Blue Def Platinum (2024)

There has been a ton of debate on this. As such, I decided to do my own controlled test. As far as what the fluid is used for, which is the actual DEF, there is no difference. The difference is in the proprietary ingredients that was put into Platinum that they say keeps the DEF from crystalizing in the exhaust over time. I can verify to you all that DEF absolutely does crystalize in the exhaust over time.

First test, I tossed some regular old DEF on the side of my truck and waited 10 minutes. I then tossed some Platinum DEF on the same side just a little further back towards the tailgate and waited another 10 minutes. The difference even with this basic action was telling. I am sorry, I don't have pictures... I wasn't planning on proving. The regular DEF was as we all have seen all white and crystalized. The Platinum DEF has some hazing and very little white crystallization.

Next test, I tossed some Platinum DEF on the regular DEF to see if it would actually remove or help with the already existing crystallized DEF on the side. After waiting only 5 minutes I could see that the Platinum DEF did take some of the buildup away. Where the hell did it go, you may ask? I have no idea and that is for a different experiment. Suffice it to say it was not there in the same amounts prior.

The last test I did was to fully drain the regular DEF out and replace with all Platinum. Unfortunately, I should have been more controlled here so my results are not all that scientific. After approximately 1500 miles I noticed I was getting around 1 to 1.25 more MPG than before. Is this absolutely attributed to the Platinum DEF? No but it cannot be fully discounted either, yet. Next, I noticed after about the 3000 mile mark I was using less DEF than I was before. Here again, can this be absolutely attributed to the Platinum DEF? No, but as before it cannot be fully discounted either. The pattern here is that all these coincidences are starting to have a common denominator amongst them. The last thing I have really noticed is the smell of the final exhaust. For the record, I am not one that goes around purposely huffing, sniffing or otherwise breathing combustion exhaust... although the times that I have inhaled it for whatever reason might explain why I am the way I am. Again, another discussion for a different time.

The one thing I will say is that all those that say DEF is DEF and has to be exactly the same formula are right. DEF is DEF the actual active ingredient for exhaust treatment is deionized water and extremely pure urea to the tune of 67.5% to 32.%% respectively. The people that say there has to be something else in it are absolutely correct too. The proprietary ingredient is not meant to directly act within the exhaust stream. Rather, it is meant to counter the crystallization that is known to occur in the tanks, tubes, nozzles and pipes of the exhaust system. This should, in theory, help to keep the system operating and a higher, if not peak, performance level. I cannot say if this is for certain but from my own experiences seems to help some. Is it worth the expense over DEF? That is something only each individual operator can answer for themselves. Speaking for only myself, I use it as I can get it at only $6 to $8 more than the regular and I can afford it. So, to me, it is just like using Synthetic Oil versus Dino Oil, it may very well not do anything but the worst thing that happens is that it hurts my own wallet some.