[duecedriver]

that message 'DEF Quality' MAY or MAY NOT actually be thrown due to bad DEF

I read a troubleshooting chart.. and sometimes that code is used with the ECM sees that a change in DEF used vs historical data stored .... again its another algorithm to catch emissions cheats putting water in their DEF tank..

 

[Sagmiester]

Glad I found this thread. 2020 GMC 2500 AT4 w/ 5k. Same Peak “Platinum” DEF. Same warnings, low DEF then switches over to poor DEF, sometimes opposite order. Just got another warning today, lasts a mile or two then back to normal. DEF level readings sometimes fluctuate as well day to day. Dealer checked it out two weeks ago & said they have to see it happen since it’s not showing up on their scan. DEF was not low or old, I checked the dates, none were more than 2 months old. I’ll try pump DEF and see what happens.

 

[GoBlowSnow]

doubt pump DEF will make any difference. Something's up with the sensor.

 

[Sagmiester]

doubt pump DEF will make any difference. Something's up with the sensor.

Absolutely agree that it’s a sensor and/or software issue. One common factor seems to be that Peak DEF “Platinum” may be setting it off. I’ll switch brands once it’s near empty and follow up in a few months.

 

[nb96king]

Same here I'm at 5600 miles, got the def poor quality on the dash. 98 miles, till max speed 65 mph. Only stayed on a few minutes, gauge reads about 75% full. Have only used peak platinum so far

 

[cfell]

30k on O’Reilly DEF... so far....

 

[Rob Huffman]

I have a 2020 Sierra and soon after changing over to Peak DEF Platinum from regular Blue, i started getting random Poor DEF Quality messages. They normally would clear within 5 minutes or so but i figured it wasn't a coincidence. I notified Peak via email of the issue. After refilling with regular blue DEF, i have not had anymore Poor DEF Quality messages. Also, my dealer said i had the latest software updates so that obviously was not the problem as stated by Peak.

Email response from Peak....
Thank you for contacting us. We are aware of this happening with 2020 GM products. We have learned that General Motors has a computer software update for the exact issue you are having. This is not a DEF issue but rather a GM issue.


Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

I recently added the platinum to my 2020 2500 Denali. I too received the error message. I will take it to the dealer for the code upgrade.

 

[darmah59]

DEF quality is measured by the performance pre and post SCR, obviously whatever "magic dust" they use is poisoning the system. DEF is 32% urea and deionized water, nothing else. Look for the ISO logo on the bottle to show that it complies with the spec

 

[cfell]

What a cash cow…
Thanks for this info on the DEF software hit

 

[nb96king]

I switched over to the Walmart brand, It's been 2 months and around 3000 miles since platinum was used. No more def quality messages

 

[darmah59]

What a cash cow…
Thanks for this info on the DEF software hit

I did some work with/on DEF when it was first proposed to be used and saw the huge amount of effort it took for companies that store and transport it to get certified. They have to flush their tanks 5 times and then take swabs for testing. The quality and cleanliness standards are higher than for milk or orang juice, seems crazy but that is how the EPA looks at it.

 

[cfell]

I did some work with/on DEF when it was first proposed to be used and saw the huge amount of effort it took for companies that store and transport it to get certified. They have to flush their tanks 5 times and then take swabs for testing. The quality and cleanliness standards are higher than for milk or orang juice, seems crazy but that is how the EPA looks at it.

Not saying there isn’t a lot of “requirements “… darn sure it “created” a business… we know too much and is our responsibility to be questioning.. AND the “big picture “ isn’t very convincing our best interests being respected.

Remember, we are not smart enough to make our own decisions… (quote from previous communist occupier of our WH)

 

[darmah59]

There was a lot of unhappy people when this was proposed, and more than a fair share of issues some of which are ongoing. The outcome is very clean emissions from diesels mostly through post treatment which is less of a drama than engine internal systems like EGR. One of the biggest points was always what to do if the DEF is either empty or malfunctions, technically the engine should not be run, but reality is there is nothing wrong with it, a real catch 22. Unlike Europe, the USA hates diesels and they dont make it easy to get them approved and for sale and are watching, AKA the VW engine drama. All car companies tailor their calibration for the test regime, perhaps not as much as VW but not all that different either. I know they are working on alternate catalysts, the most encouraging one that I know of is going to make people really happy as it is the devil fuel itself, ethanol.

 

[Gadget_Stl]

I have a 2020 Sierra and soon after changing over to Peak DEF Platinum from regular Blue, i started getting random Poor DEF Quality messages. They normally would clear within 5 minutes or so but i figured it wasn't a coincidence. I notified Peak via email of the issue. After refilling with regular blue DEF, i have not had anymore Poor DEF Quality messages. Also, my dealer said i had the latest software updates so that obviously was not the problem as stated by Peak.

Email response from Peak....
Thank you for contacting us. We are aware of this happening with 2020 GM products. We have learned that General Motors has a computer software update for the exact issue you are having. This is not a DEF issue but rather a GM issue.


Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

I have a 2020 Sierra and soon after changing over to Peak DEF Platinum from regular Blue, i started getting random Poor DEF Quality messages. They normally would clear within 5 minutes or so but i figured it wasn't a coincidence. I notified Peak via email of the issue. After refilling with regular blue DEF, i have not had anymore Poor DEF Quality messages. Also, my dealer said i had the latest software updates so that obviously was not the problem as stated by Peak.

Email response from Peak....
Thank you for contacting us. We are aware of this happening with 2020 GM products. We have learned that General Motors has a computer software update for the exact issue you are having. This is not a DEF issue but rather a GM issue.


Sent from my SM-G981U using Tapatalk

I might agree with Peak as I just had this issue happen over the past month and the dealer performed the TSB work (software update and fill DEF (no charge)) today for me. We’ll see if this fixes the issue.

 

[FreedomOne]

I might agree with Peak as I just had this issue happen over the past month and the dealer performed the TSB work (software update and fill DEF (no charge)) today for me. We’ll see if this fixes the issue.

Is there a tsb number for this?

 

[redwngr]

Seems to me the solution is simple.
Don't use the platinum version....

 

[sambor]

Several posts on the platinum def and the problems its caused. Plain Def works just fine from just about anywhere. Fancy names doesn't mean better

 

[FreedomOne]

I'm just doubtful GM has any tsb that addresses one specific Def.

 

[carlosclarkmd]

Glad I found this thread. 2020 GMC 2500 AT4 w/ 5k. Same Peak “Platinum” DEF. Same warnings, low DEF then switches over to poor DEF, sometimes opposite order. Just got another warning today, lasts a mile or two then back to normal. DEF level readings sometimes fluctuate as well day to day. Dealer checked it out two weeks ago & said they have to see it happen since it’s not showing up on their scan. DEF was not low or old, I checked the dates, none were more than 2 months old. I’ll try pump DEF and see what happens.

I'm having the same issue with the Platinum DEF. Did your issue resolve when you refilled with normal DEF?

 

[Harleypaul8]

Added Platinum def fluid yesterday, today my 2020 Duramax threw the code. Poor quality def. 23000 on regular blue def with no issues now this in one day?