Thinking about a Diesel? You Need to know about DPFs

no_more_cards_for_me

With the combination of regeneration and DMF then I decided that a Diesel wasn't the way to go for my wife's car. We bought a 2.2 Auto Zaf and its been totally reliable. Mostly short journeys. I won't be in a rush to replace it despite the fuel cost.

ahillsy

For reference, may be useful to others, I was looking at a Skoda Octavia. The info from the brochure on the DPF is:

DPF: diesel particulate filter is part of the exhaust
system responsible for cleaning the engine exhaust
gases before they enter the atmosphere. The DPF
catches soot particles emitted in the exhaust gas and
it works in conjunction with the catalytic converter,
which reduces the amount of harmful gases entering
the atmosphere. The DPF must periodically be
emptied of the soot particles, a process known as
regeneration. This involves elevated exhaust system
temperatures. A driving style is required during
regeneration, where a constant vehicle speed above
37 mph must be maintained. This does not always
suit customers who make frequent short journeys
or experience stop/start driving or drive within
inner-city or urban areas.

cyclonebri1

For every one post against a diesel car I'm sure you will find 2 in favour.

Look Op, there isn't a car made that doesn't benefit from a severe thrashing every month if your driving style is as sedate as yours. When my fuel consumption starts to drop I give it 2 of 3 minutes ragging it through the gears and bingo, top wack again.
I admit that these auto regenerative things can be a pain the backside, but they do asume that everyone uses there car normally, and every now and again does a longish journey.

There is a secret to getting value from a diesel car if you do low mileage, buy a year old car with 25/30k on the clock, the price differential has been paid for by the 1st owner:T:T:T

GSXRCarlos

i just get on the motorway and give it a good thrashing, infact most mornings are like this, i'm always late!

mickeypops

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

For every one post against a diesel car I'm sure you will find 2 in favour.


I admit that these auto regenerative things can be a pain the backside, but they do asume that everyone uses there car normally, and every now and again does a longish journey.

There is a secret to getting value from a diesel car if you do low mileage, buy a year old car with 25/30k on the clock, the price differential has been paid for by the 1st owner:T:T:T

I get your point cylclone, but the point is that the system will do its regen process whenever the h*** it likes, not when you've set out on a suitably long journey. In my first post, I explained how it recently decided to do it the morning AFTER I'd done a 150 mile motorway journey!

mickeypops

ahillsy wrote: »

For reference, may be useful to others, I was looking at a Skoda Octavia. The info from the brochure on the DPF is:

DPF: diesel particulate filter is part of the exhaust
system responsible for cleaning the engine exhaust
gases before they enter the atmosphere. The DPF
catches soot particles emitted in the exhaust gas and
it works in conjunction with the catalytic converter,
which reduces the amount of harmful gases entering
the atmosphere. The DPF must periodically be
emptied of the soot particles, a process known as
regeneration. This involves elevated exhaust system
temperatures. A driving style is required during
regeneration, where a constant vehicle speed above
37 mph must be maintained. This does not always
suit customers who make frequent short journeys
or experience stop/start driving or drive within
inner-city or urban areas.

ahillsy, that's exactly the kind of information that wasn't made available to me when I bought the car in 2006..

cyclonebri1

mickeypops wrote: »

I get your point cylclone, but the point is that the system will do its regen process whenever the h*** it likes, not when you've set out on a suitably long journey. In my first post, I explained how it recently decided to do it the morning AFTER I'd done a 150 mile motorway journey!

Ok, frustrating when you put it like that, but the benefits of that 10mins/miles wasted journey are not wasted on you I'm sure?

I too am a low mileage diesel user, I sacrifice a high reving blast every now and again to unclog the crap that I have left in there, Unfortunately your car is "smarter" than mine, and does it automatically ;)

Ps, Renault, my choice, have a very similar version, FAP, filter,blaf, particulate, can't recall, most buyers do avoid them for the reasons you suggest, ;)

Rolandtheroadie

no_more_cards_for_me wrote: »

With the combination of regeneration and DMF then I decided that a Diesel wasn't the way to go for my wife's car. We bought a 2.2 Auto Zaf and its been totally reliable. Mostly short journeys. I won't be in a rush to replace it despite the fuel cost.

Yep, no DMF or regeneration problems. Just the fuel pump and the auto gearbox to watch on the 2.2.

no_more_cards_for_me

scotsman4th wrote: »

Yep, no DMF or regeneration problems. Just the fuel pump and the auto gearbox to watch on the 2.2.

And change the oil regularly as its a chain drive not a belt. Thankfully no problems with any of it.

plane_boy2000

harveybobbles wrote: »

Most people who buy diesel cars do so "cos of the economy they will get..."

But when you ask said person what their mileage is, it is usually something pathetic like the OP's 8000pa.

DPF is a great idea for the people who run a diesel for the main reason - they do over 30,000 a year.

HB - my mileage is pretty low - 10-15K a year, but I lease my car and the petrol options were the same price per month, plus in the C5 the petrol options were C**p at the time. Think I made the right choice as the more sedate lazy drive of derv suits the C5 well plus I save few quid on fuel, but I take your point - some petrol cars are a coupe of grand cheaper - thats a lot of fuel you need to save