What do you do when you see the DPF light? When the DPF light has become illuminated, it's telling you that 'passive regeneration' has failed and that you need to actively regenerate the diesel particulate filter. You can do this by increasing your speed to more than 40mph for between 10 and 15 minutes.
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.
So if your DPF warning light, lights up, don't panic. It's not an emergency. But don't ignore it either - because it's not going away unless you act.
So it is advised that drivers regularly give their diesel vehicle a good 30 to 50 minute run at sustained speed on a motorway or A-road to help clear the filter.
When mild service is necessary, the Bluechem DPF Top Gun Cleaner combined with the High Pressure Gun allows automotive service shop to clean the DPF without removing it from the vehicle. For High build-up of soot and residuals (Clogged DPF), severe service of the DPF flushing is the solution.
Can you ignore the DPF light and carry on driving? 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.
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.
Blocked DPFs wreak havoc with the delicate balance of your engine by preventing the normal venting of gases, which causes a variety of engine issues, as described above. In addition to reduced power and fuel efficiency, a blocked filter may eventually cause a dangerous mechanical malfunction and break your engine.
Depending on the model of the car, every 120,000, 150,000 or 180,000 kilometres. Some drivers might struggle with a clogged filter as early as after only a few thousand kilometres.
How long does the regeneration take? The DPF regeneration cycle takes approximately an hour and a half (1 1/2 hours) to complete and can be completed as part of a routine service.
A failed exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve, problems with exhaust and injection systems and faulty glow plugs can all, in turn, affect the DPF and cause the DPF warning light to illuminate. In fact, even using the wrong type of oil in a car can trigger the DPF warning light to come on.
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.
Without the DPF filter in place, diesel engines accumulated soot and other particulates can build up on engine components and cause excessive wear to trucks. This can lead to serious engine problems down the road with expensive repair costs.
A blocked DPF or obstructed exhaust will force your engine to work harder to expel exhaust gases, reducing available power and increasing fuel consumption.
One final consideration, it takes time for a DPF to block, sometimes years. Once blocked though, turbo failure can occur very quickly.
Replacing a DPF can easily cost $4000 to $8000, and sometimes more, it's a big cost… particularly when a vehicle is out of warranty!
The DPF light will typically come on when the filter is around half full, and it's recommended you sort it there and then. Going for a 50-minute drive up the motorway is much less hassle than paying for the DPF to be cleaned or replaced.
Do all diesel cars have DPF problems? All diesels built from 2009 onwards will have a DPF, and some diesels built before this will have one as well.
If your car has an automatic transmission, shift your gears in a manual mode by moving the gear shift gently. No need to use the speed limiter, it is with no seeming value added. Ride like this for a minimum of 30 minutes. This will initiate a regeneration cycle, and your DPF will be cleaned.