Yes, you can and often should drive during "regen" (regenerative braking in EVs or DPF regeneration in diesels) by driving steadily, ideally at highway speeds to complete the process, but avoid interrupting it or shutting off the car mid-cycle to prevent issues, especially with diesel particulate filters. For electric vehicles (EVs), regen means using the electric motor to slow down and recharge the battery, often through "one-pedal driving," while for diesel cars, it's a cleaning process for the exhaust filter that needs heat.
The vehicle needs to run at operating temperature during the regeneration, so highway driving is best. Just drive as you normally would. During active regeneration, the exhaust outlet temperature is extremely high. So watch your location if regeneration is about to begin.
The ECU will usually flash the DPF light on the dashboard to alert the driver that the regeneration process is in progress. Depending on your vehicle, you will need to keep your vehicle over a certain speed and engine RPM until the light has stopped flashing.
To trigger passive regeneration, you need to take your car for a longer drive so that the exhaust can reach a higher temperature. Drive at a higher speed on the motorway so that the speed and temperature increase can create a chemical reaction in your DPF to neutralise the soot.
By reducing reliance on traditional friction brakes, regenerative braking can unintentionally cause issues such as brake pad corrosion, uneven wear, and glazing. These issues arise because friction components are simply not being used or maintained in the same way they are in vehicles without regenerative systems.
The 30/30/30 rule for brakes is a bedding-in procedure for new brake pads and rotors: perform 30 controlled stops from about 30 mph, allowing 30 seconds of cool-down time between each stop, to create a uniform friction surface for optimal performance, prevent glazing, and reduce noise. This process transfers pad material to the rotor, ensuring consistent braking and preventing issues like squealing or vibration.
Typically, a regeneration cycle can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes to complete under normal operating conditions. However, in some cases, it may take longer if the DPF is heavily loaded with soot or if the vehicle hasn't reached the required operating temperature for regeneration to occur efficiently.
Passive Regen
This process occurs automatically, without any intervention from the driver or technician. Passive regen typically happens when you drive your truck sustained high speeds, like on highways. In those cases, the exhaust gases get hot enough to burn off the soot naturally, turning it into ash.
The easiest and cheapest method of DPF filter cleaning is by driving the vehicle for a long-distance at high revs per minute. Doing this increases the heat of the exhaust and burns the soot blocking the DPF filter. It's best to drive on a motorway or A road where you can keep the vehicle at a consistent speed.
Once the regen process gets going it's important to not interrupt it, as this can damage the DPF. Also, a diesel truck's engine may run hotter than normal during a regen.
Warning lights, thicker black smoke, and a clear drop in engine power are all signs of ongoing DPF deterioration—and if ignored, these problems can eventually leave the vehicle undriveable.
Generally, it's best to avoid driving your car with the DPF light on for more than a few miles. If you're unsure of how long you can drive your vehicle with the warning light on, it's best to consult your owner's manual or a qualified mechanic.
Yes. In fact, driving is usually the best way to allow regeneration to complete. The system relies on heat and airflow. A steady cruise at 60 km/h or more gives the DPF the conditions it needs to burn off soot.
👇 https://shorturl.at/HwPiJ If you're dealing with frequent regens or wondering if your truck's regen time is normal, you're not alone. A forced DPF regen should take about 20–60 minutes, but issues like clogged filters or sensor failures can cause delays.
However, the burn-off temperature of approx. 600 °C is not reached on short distances. This results in the diesel particulate filter becoming clogged over time and increased fuel consumption as well as engine problems may occur.
Top 10 vehicles with DPF issues:
If active regeneration is interrupted by reaching your destination, a DPF warning light may appear. This can be cleared by driving at > 40 mph for 15 to 30 minutes. Ignoring this light repeatedly can lead to a blocked filter and the car entering limp mode, necessitating the costly replacement of the DPF.
Note: In an emergency situation where your vehicle must be moved, just press PAREKD REGEN again to switch OFF and cancel. The light will stop blinking and turn OFF. It is normal for the high exhaust temperature light to be illuminated during a PARKED REGEN.
3 Indicators of a successful forced DPF regen
Secondly, you'll also notice that there's a unique smell that emits from the tailpipe when the soot trapped in the DPF is burning off into ash. And finally, you'll also be able to feel the temperature increase on the exhaust components from beginning to end.
Your machine can, it may attempt an automatic regen during use. But if conditions are not right, it will not complete. This is common on machines that idle a lot or do short jobs.
How do you clean an exhaust filter? All you need to do is drive! Diesel trucks have a built-in DPF cleaner that burns off excess soot using the heat from the engine. Known as passive regeneration, this process occurs automatically when you maintain a steady highway speed for at least 45 minutes.
Brake replacement recommendations
We do generally recommend brake pad replacement when there is about 20% wear left on them. You can do it when you have less than 20%, but we don't advise it.
Spongy Brake Pedal: If your brake pedal feels soft or spongy, it's a clear sign that air has infiltrated your brake lines. After Brake Pad Replacement: It's good practice to bleed your brakes after replacing brake pads, as this can introduce air into the system.
Though gentle braking is better than heavy braking, more braking is better than less. For up to the first 300 km, every time the brake pads make contact with the discs, it increases the contact surface area between the two, which leads to better braking in the long-term.