Driving your car without a particulate filter, or removing the filter, is illegal and should not be attempted.
A DPF can last up to around 100,000 miles if maintained properly. After the car has exceeded that mileage, you could be looking at paying a large amount of money for a replacement – so always properly check MoT and service records when buying a used car.
This message is normal. The diesel particulate filter is full of particles (exhaust soot) and you are not operating the vehicle in a manner that allows normal cleaning. One of these messages stays on until the exhaust filter cleaning has begun, at which time the CLEANING EXHAUST FILTER message displays.
You will spot more emissions from your exhaust, the car's performance will be compromised, and it may become virtually impossible to use it or travel at high speeds. You may become unable to even start your car.
Things to consider about Diesel Particulate Filters
It is illegal to drive a diesel vehicle without a DPF or remove the DPF from your car. Driving with a malfunctioning DPF filter may damage your car engine.
The actual cleaning process takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Remember that, in most cases, the regeneration process uses exhaust heat created under normal engine operating conditions, so the operator won't even notice it's taking place.
Driving for over 10 minutes at speeds in excess of 40mph will often be sufficient to clear the blockage and regenerate the DPF. You should consult the handbook for your vehicle for more specific guidance on how you should drive to initiate regeneration of the DPF and clear the warning light.
Most DPFs are completely clean in 22 minutes. However every DPF is different, and the visible cleaning process allows the operator to see when the cleaning is complete. If the DPF is internally damaged, particulate will be seen escaping out at the clean side of the filter in the first 2 minutes of cleaning.
exhaust filters, all you need is baking soda, white vinegar, and castile soap. Boil water and fill a container big enough to put the filter. Add baking soda, liquid castile soap, and white vinegar to the container with boiling water. Submerge the filter and take out after 10-15 minutes.
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.
It's not impossible to clean a DPF at home. But the risk is high. The filter is a very delicate component of your car. You can easily damage it during DIY cleaning.
If the DPF warning light comes on it's because the engine management system needs to 'actively' regenerate the DPF. You should take your car on a run to allow the regeneration process to take place.
In general, you should wait no longer than six months to replace an intake filter. It's a good idea to replace an exhaust filter at least every month. However, it's best to conscientiously monitor the filters to determine when they are ready to be replaced.
Generally, it's recommended that a DPF be cleaned roughly every 150,000-200,000 miles. At this point, ash in the filter cells begins to harden. This hardening can cause the filter to crack, resulting in permanent damage.
First remove the filter/s out from the hood, by using the tab to pull. You can then hand wash your filters or place them in your dishwasher on a hot cycle for added convenience. To hand wash - submerge and soak your filters in a sink with warm soapy dishwashing liquid or baking soda, for about 10 minutes.
If this happens, the best thing that you can do is immediately take the car out on a dual carriageway or motorway for 15 minutes of continuous driving to give the DPF an opportunity to regenerate.
DPF cleaning cost can be significantly lower than the cost of a replacement, and cleaning can restore the filter's efficiency and performance. The cost of DPF cleaning is around $179 to $500 for most models.
Cleaning the exhaust filter, sometimes referred to as regeneration, eliminates soot that accumulates during normal operation. Exhaust filter cleaning can occur in several ways. During moderate- to high-load operation, high exhaust temperatures enable “passive” cleaning.
Carbon dust inside the exhaust gases clogs up the EGR system, reducing the movement of the EGR valve. Due to this, the engine doesn't function properly, leading to insufficient fuel consumption, more carbon dust production. Soon, this causes a DPF to become clogged.
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 diesel particulate filter (DPF) is a filter that captures and stores exhaust soot (some refer to them as soot traps) in order to reduce emissions from diesel cars. But because they only have a finite capacity, this trapped soot periodically has to be emptied or 'burned off' to regenerate the DPF.
Costs to clean diesel particulate filters can be expensive, with averages running from $2500 to $8000. New filters may range from $1,000 to $10,000. Most DPFs are designed to provide up to 160k kilometers, but with proper maintenance and operation, they can last much more.
Many mechanics advise having your DPF cleaned every 6-9 months to keep it operating at optimal levels, though you may need to clean it more or less frequently depending on your driving habits.
A forced regeneration can be performed by any service shop with the appropriate diagnostic software. The cost for a forced regeneration varies. Generally, it is between $300-$700 depending on the technician's required diagnostic time and the length of time your DPF regeneration lasts.