Most engine management systems will actively regenerate the DPF when the car is driven at speeds above 40mph for around 10 to 15 minutes. The soot particles trapped in the filter will soon burn away and the warning light should switch off.
If your DPF is blocked, your engine will have to work harder to expel exhaust gases, reducing available power and increasing fuel consumption. To bring your engine efficiency back to normal levels, you will need to clean your DPF filter, so consider DPF cleaning in the UK if you notice any of these symptoms.
All you have to do is get your car on an A road or motorway on a regular basis, such as every 300 miles. You then need to run it for 10-20 minutes at speeds in excess of 40mph. This will heat up your exhaust and burn off any soot in the filter.
Heat the engine
The easiest and cheapest method of DPF filter cleaning is by driving the vehicle for a long-distance at high revs per minute.
How does DPF regeneration occur? The regeneration occurs automatically, usually without the driver being aware that it is taking place. In the majority of cases, the process is carried out when the engine and exhaust system has reached normal operating temperature and the vehicle is travelling at over 40mph.
Once blocked though, turbo failure can occur very quickly. If you don't check for a DPF issue when installing a replacement turbo, there is a very high chance the replacement turbo will suffer the same failure, as it will be subject to the same operating environment as the previous unit.
Generally, a DPF should last at least 100,000 miles if the vehicle is well serviced and looked after.
Technically yes, but we would not recommend it. If you ignore the DPF light and continue driving, the build-up of soot will soon reach a point whereby your car has to enter 'limp-home' mode in order to prevent any damage to the engine.
You are not likely going to be harmed. Your engine, however, is another thing. If you ignore the DPF light, and you continue to drive in your usual “gas/brake” pattern, you will probably end up seeing other warning lights come on. Then, you will have to see a mechanic for what is called “forced” regeneration.
When the accumulating soot reaches about 45%, the DPF switches to active regeneration. The car forces higher exhaust temperatures, burning the soot in the process.
If the journey is too short or the vehicle does not have enough fuel the DPF regeneration process might not work. To allow the DPF to regularly regenerate it's advised the fuel tank is more than a quarter full, otherwise, the vehicle will opt to save fuel instead of redirecting it for DPF regeneration.
How Often Does DPF Regeneration Occur? Active regeneration happens roughly every 300 miles and is triggered by your car's electronic control unit (ECU) once your soot level is approaching 40 to 45%. Passive regeneration should occur when you take your car on longer journeys at higher speeds.
A warning light letting you know your DPF is blocked should not be ignored, but can in many instances be remedied by driving in a way which initiates passive/active regeneration of the DPF. Driving for over 10 minutes at speeds in excess of 40mph will often be sufficient to clear the blockage and regenerate the DPF.
Manual regeneration is often required when vehicles are driven at insufficient speed to allow regeneration to be carried out automatically by their engine management control software. The vehicle is already suffering with driveability and lack of power problems.
When you take your car to a professional garage for a DPF clean, the whole process can take up to 2 hours to complete. An expert mechanic can put your DPF through a process called forced regeneration. During this process, a mechanic will be able to burn away the soot particles in your diesel particulate filter.
The removal of the DPF can release harmful exhaust gases and particulates into the atmosphere, posing risks to human health and the environment. Violating local regulations can result in fines and even vehicle impoundment.
The DPF regeneration process creates very high exhaust gas temperatures and the exhaust will radiate a considerable amount of heat during and after DPF regeneration, and after you have switched the engine off. This is a potential fire hazard.
A blocked DPF or obstructed exhaust will force your engine to work harder to expel exhaust gases, reducing available power and increasing fuel consumption.