DPF Equipped Vehicles

UncleZen

Some people report no issues when driving a diesel vehicle equipped with a DPF. Others report no end of regenerations, engine management lights coming on and dealer intervention required.

So, what sort of journeys are best for a DPF equipped vehicle to give the owner no problems? And what sort of journeys are the worst?

Im assuming urban driving is worst and motorway driving is best. But thats quite black and white and there must be a mid-point at which you can get-away with having a DPF equipped vehicle and not having one.

Does anyone know, or point me to some official research on the subject?
Furthermore, if considering the purchase of a (say) 3 year old diesel vehicle, how can I find out of its DPF equipped or not, without asking the seller?

thegirlintheattic

I do 60 mile round trips a few times a week on NSL (60) down to 30 mph roads. I've never had a problem with my DPF, even on a older car.

OH does a short 30 mph, 10 min trip to work and back each day (though no stop and start) and has had endless problems with the DPF over the last year. First two times the light came on, hard driving cleared the DPF. Last time it came on it would no go off then the sensor busted, putting the car into limp home mode and requiring a £140 trip to the garage to fix it.

I would say that as long as your car is getting warmed up properly on your journey you shouldn't have too much of an issue.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

very long motorway runs weekly.

it takes approx 15 mins to complete a regen cycle at high revs and over 50mph.

so a stretch of MWAY and some fuel to burn in 4th/5th gear above 3500RPM at the very least once a month (and even then people have reported they still run into DPF regen problems).

if the DPF doesnt complete a full burn cycle at least twice in consetion its will flag up on the EML, it then has to go to a garage to clear the code and do a simulated burn if this doesnt work then a clean out if that dont work then a new DPF coupled with topping up of elloys fluid as you go.

so long runs periodically, people who spend most of tehir time on long motorway trips usually have no problems, those who do motorway runs when they have to usually run into probs.

vikingaero

The 15 mins motorway driving required to burn off the matter in the DPF varies - some cars require you to have the revs above 2,000rpm, others at 2,500rpm. In a lot of diesel cars at that engine speed that means a road speed of 70-80mph.

andygb

vikingaero wrote: »

The 15 mins motorway driving required to burn off the matter in the DPF varies - some cars require you to have the revs above 2,000rpm, others at 2,500rpm. In a lot of diesel cars at that engine speed that means a road speed of 70-80mph.

Yep, 2500 RPM = 83mph in mine (French motorway limit), so I would need to drive in 4th gear - lucky I don't have a DPF.

mikey72

UncleZen wrote: »

Some people report no issues when driving a diesel vehicle equipped with a DPF. Others report no end of regenerations, engine management lights coming on and dealer intervention required.

So, what sort of journeys are best for a DPF equipped vehicle to give the owner no problems? And what sort of journeys are the worst?

Im assuming urban driving is worst and motorway driving is best. But thats quite black and white and there must be a mid-point at which you can get-away with having a DPF equipped vehicle and not having one.

Does anyone know, or point me to some official research on the subject?
Furthermore, if considering the purchase of a (say) 3 year old diesel vehicle, how can I find out of its DPF equipped or not, without asking the seller?

We just bought a non DPF diesel. Ask the dealer is the best way to find out. A DPF isn't complicated, it's a filter that traps small particles, it then has to be superheated to burn the particles off, and does this by heating the exhaust system. Motorway driving achieves the conditions that facilitate this, and the frequency depends on how much is caught in the filter on short mileage journeys. So no real figures, as long journeys decrease the need to regenerate, short journeys increase it.

cardinalbiggles

vikingaero wrote: »

The 15 mins motorway driving required to burn off the matter in the DPF varies - some cars require you to have the revs above 2,000rpm, others at 2,500rpm. In a lot of diesel cars at that engine speed that means a road speed of 70-80mph.

Some, such as Fiats system only takes 6 minutes to perform the re-gen (according to my cars onboard diagnostics), secondly some, like the Fiats again will do it at rest. Lastly I have mine about once a fortnight on the motorway and its just fine doing its thing on b roads at 40 - 50mph.

Knowing what I know now I would not buy one if I only pottered about the town or countryside but in reality normal mixed driving is fine.

Gloomendoom

We have two DPF equipped diesels. No issues with either of them.

One is used primarily for commuting 23 miles each way with the occasional longer motorway run, usually towing a heavy trailer. The other is used for primarily motorway runs and sometimes for commuting.

I'm a member of owners' forums for both cars and, so far, I've not heard of anybody having problems in normal use.

daveyjp

I'd say 20,000 miles a year as a minimum with plenty of long runs. My Audi was just about OK doing 18,000 a year, X type not so good as the number of urban trips increased. Urban miles also affect EGR valves.

mikey72

Gloomendoom wrote: »

We have two DPF equipped diesels. No issues with either of them.

One is used primarily for commuting 23 miles each way with the occasional longer motorway run, usually towing a heavy trailer. The other is used for primarily motorway runs and sometimes for commuting.

I'm a member of owners' forums for both cars and, so far, I've not heard of anybody having problems in normal use.

What are they?

Gloomendoom

mikey72 wrote: »

What are they?

Chrysler 300C and a current model Kia Sportage.