If you ignore a DPF warning light and keep driving in a relatively slow, stop/start pattern, soot will build up in the filter until your car goes into 'restricted performance mode' to prevent damage. If you let it get this bad: Driving at speed alone won't be enough.
If a journey is too short, the regeneration can't be completed so the warning light will continue to appear since the DPF is still partially blocked. If this is the case, driving for 10 – 20 minutes at speeds greater than 40mph, you could complete a regeneration cycle and clear the warning light.
Things to consider about Diesel Particulate Filters
Driving for short periods at low speed reduces the lifespan of your DPF. 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.
While your vehicle won't stop running the moment the light turns on, continuous driving can lead to more severe issues like decreased fuel efficiency, reduced performance, and in the worst case, engine damage. An illuminated DPF light will cause an MOT failure.
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.
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.
Low engine RPM
Alongside the engine not producing much power, the engine may not be able to rev very high, sometimes reaching a top RPM of 3,000. This is a consequence of both the exhaust gases restricting the engine's usual cycle, and because of the lack of turbo pressure.
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.
DPF deletion does not affect vehicles' engine performance, power generation and horsepower. It can improve performance by freeing up space in the engine bay and reducing weight. However, there are some potential drawbacks to consider before going ahead with a DPF delete.
A blocked DPF or obstructed exhaust will force your engine to work harder to expel exhaust gases, reducing available power and increasing fuel consumption.
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.
There are many tell-tale signs you can look for if you suspect your DPF is blocked. When the filter becomes faulty or clogged up with soot, you will normally be alerted to this by an orange light on your dashboard. The emission of black soot is another sign that you need to have your DPF cleaned.
Protecting Equipment. Today's aftermarket equipment makes it even more important to reduce idling. When idling, the vehicle is not operating at the ideal temperatures that allow soot to burn off the diesel particulate filter (DPF).
Is it illegal to remove a diesel particulate filter? Yes, it is illegal. Owners face fines if caught and removing a DPF can also invalidate your car insurance policy.
A new one from a car manufacturer can cost £1,000 and £3,500, potentially wiping out the cost savings associated with driving a diesel. As cars age, the cost of the replacement DPF could be more than the value of the car – and it is older, higher mileage cars that are most likely to require a new DPF.
The cost of a DPF delete starts at £250 and can go up to £500 depending on certain factors. If you only need a software delete, this will be cheaper than having the DPF physically removed from your car. You should also anticipate spending more if your car is an older model with more unique requirements.
The most common reasons for DPF blockages are: Short journeys where the engine doesn't reach optimum operating temperature; Clogged EGR Valve increasing diesel soot passed to the DPF; Faulty fuel injectors sending too much fuel to the air/fuel mixture; Incorrect engine oil upon servicing the car ; Turbocharger failure ...
A problem with your DPF filter is often caused by another failed component upstream in your engine. These failures can cause excess carbon and soot. Timing issues and injectors that aren't firing properly are both common problems which can lead to a plugged DPF.
If you notice a reduction in the car's power, acceleration, or fuel efficiency, then it is likely time to get your DPF checked. If your car is emitting more smoke than usual, it could be a sign that the DPF is clogged and needs replacement. A blocked DPF can also cause a foul odour to emanate from the car's exhaust.
Using Redex DPF Cleaner (either when your light comes on or regularly as a preventative measure) will help the soot to burn away during normal driving, so that your filter clears, and the light stays off. This can save you a lot of time, money, and stress, as a new DPF will typically cost around £1,000.
The vehicle may not run well.
Without the DPF, a diesel vehicle's ECU will not receive the correct sensor information relating to minimum and maximum allowable back pressures, which will result in error codes and probably the vehicle running in “limp” mode.
Drive over 40 mph (64 kph) to begin active regeneration.
Begin driving and pay attention to both the engine and vehicle speed. Try to keep the engine speed around 2500 rpm. Active regeneration increases the temperature in the DPF to turn the particles into gas which can be expelled.
DPF cleaning involves the use of aqueous cleaning technology and specialist chemicals to reduce the soot emissions generated by your engine. Usually, your DPF removes soot automatically using passive regeneration. Our cleaning service removes the excess soot that is preventing regeneration from taking place.
Benefits. JLM Diesel Particulate Filter Cleaner is one of the best diesel particulate filter cleaners on the market. JLM DPF Cleaner contains a high concentration of the active additive. There's no need to remove the DPF Filter, just pour the JLM DPF cleaner into your diesel fuel tank.