Modifications to new auto emissions laws scheduled for 2009 the ‘Euro 5’ specifications, will make particulate filters as commonplace in diesel auto exhausts as catalytic converters are on petrol cars.

The goal is an eighty% reduction in diesel particulate (soot) emissions, but the technology’s not with out troubles roadside support patrols are presently currently being known as to autos with the particulate filter warning light illuminated, which typically signifies a partial blockage of the DPF filter.

Evidently, alterations to driving types may be essential for maximum advantage from these emission-decreasing methods.

How do the filters operate?
Diesel Particulate filters (DPF) or ‘traps’ do just that, they capture bits of soot in the exhaust.

As with any filter (feel of the bag in your vacuum cleaner) they have to be emptied regularly to sustain overall performance. For dpf delete paccar mx 13 is referred to as ‘regeneration’ the amassed soot is burnt off at higher temperature to depart only a small ash residue. Regeneration could be either passive or active.

Passive regeneration – Passive regeneration will take area immediately on motorway-variety runs when the exhaust temperature is substantial. Many vehicles don’t get this kind of use however so manufacturers have to design-in ‘active’ regeneration in which the motor management personal computer (Ecu) normally takes management of the approach.

Active regeneration – When the soot loading in the filter reaches a established restrict (about forty five%) the Eu can make small adjustments to the fuel injection timing to improve the exhaust temperature and initiate regeneration. If the journey’s a little bit quit/commence the regeneration may possibly not full and the warning light will illuminate to demonstrate that the DPF is partly blocked.

It should be attainable to commence a comprehensive regeneration and clear the warning gentle simply by driving for 10 minutes or so at speeds higher than 40mph.

If you disregard the mild and maintain driving in a comparatively gradual, end/commence pattern soot loading will continue to develop up until around seventy five% when you can anticipate to see other dashboard warning lights illuminate too. At this position driving at speed alone will not be adequate and the vehicle will have to go to a dealer for regeneration.

Costly repairs
If warnings are nevertheless dismissed and soot loading carries on to enhance then the most likely result will be a new DPF costing all around £1000.

Mainly town based driving
If your very own vehicle use or lease automobile use is mainly city-primarily based, quit/commence driving it would be sensible to select petrol fairly than threat the problem of incomplete DPF regeneration.

DPF additives
The most common variety of DPF characteristics an built-in oxidising catalytic converter and is positioned really shut to the motor exactly where exhaust gases will even now be fairly scorching so that passive regeneration is feasible.

There’s not constantly room shut to the engine although so some makers use a diverse type of DPF which relies on a fuel additive to reduce the ignition temperature of the soot particles so that the DPF can be positioned additional from the motor.

The additive is stored in a separate tank and is routinely mixed with the gas each time you fill up. Little portions are necessary although so a litre of additive ought to take care of around two,800 litres of gasoline, ample to go over twenty five,000 miles at 40mpg.

With this sort of DPF regeneration will be initiated by the Eu each and every three hundred miles or so dependent on motor vehicle use and will take 5 to ten minutes to full. You shouldn’t observe anything other than probably a puff of white smoke from the exhaust when the method is concluded.

AA experience
The AA has witnessed proof of DPF methods failing to regenerate – even on autos – that are utilized mainly on motorways. Their conclusion is that on automobiles with a extremely substantial sixth gear motor revs are too reduced to create ample exhaust temperature, but occasional more challenging driving in lower gears need to be enough to bum off the soot in this kind of situations.

Examine the handbook
If you purchase or lease a automobile with a DPF fitted it’s essential to read the relevant section of the vehicle handbook so that you understand exactly what steps to consider if the warning gentle illuminates and how, if at all, your driving type may possibly need to be modified to ensure optimum DPF performance and lifestyle.