A simple warning on the dashboard about low Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) was the final straw for YouTuber JB Reviews, who recently posted a video explaining why he’s starting to hate owning modern diesel trucks.

His frustration highlights a growing sentiment among some owners who feel that complex emissions systems have made their powerful trucks unreliable and expensive to maintain.

The Problem With Modern Emissions

JB’s main argument began with that DEF warning. He explained his frustration, saying, “I hate the fact that in order for me to drive this truck I have to add some fluid in there that has nothing to do with this truck.”

JB contrasted DEF with necessary fluids like coolant or engine oil, arguing that modern diesel doesn’t actually need it to run; it’s a mandated system that can put the truck into a speed-limited limp mode if the tank runs empty.

He then pointed to the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), which gets clogged with soot from idling and then “it uses the diesel that you purchase for your truck to drive to clean it,” hurting fuel economy.

He also mentioned that modern engine computers are so locked down that owners can no longer easily delete the problematic Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems as they could in the past.

A Matter Of Control?

Using an analogy from the show Dragon Ball Z, JB imagined explaining these systems to a diesel owner from the ’90s. He believes they would be shocked at how complicated and restrictive modern trucks have become.

He suggests that the high cost and unreliability of these systems are not accidental. “This is all about control,” he stated, arguing that the systems are designed to discourage diesel ownership.

He points to the fact that many government and commercial vehicles, like cruise ships, don’t have these same strict emissions controls, which he believes is because “these systems are unreliable.”

The Reality For Diesel Owners

JB’s video captures the frustration that many modern diesel owners face daily. They have to deal with the extra cost and hassle of DEF, worry about DPF regeneration cycles, and navigate a web of local and state regulations.

It’s a challenging reality for diesel heads who simply want to enjoy the power and capability that diesel trucks have always been known for.