DPF Warning Light ON - What Does It Mean?
A DPF warning light staying on, indicates the DPF is blocked with soot and ash. The cost of replacing a DPF can be very expensive, so it’s important to know how to clean out your DPF and get the DPF warning light reset.
What is a DPF warning light and what does it mean when it stays on
If you’ve ever been driving and seen a little light on your dash that says “DPF” and thought to yourself, “What the heck is that?”, well, you’re not alone. DPF stands for Diesel Particulate Filter and is a device that filters out particulate matter from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine. The filter is typically made of ceramic or metal fibers and traps the soot before it can exit the tailpipe. Over time, the DPF will become full of soot and will need to be cleaned. This is typically done by burning off the soot at high temperatures, a process called “regeneration.” However, if the DPF becomes too full, the regeneration process may not be able to completely clean it, and the DPF warning light will stay on. If this happens, it’s important to take your car to a mechanic as soon as possible to have them do what is called a “forced regeneration”.
The cost of cleaning or replacing a DPF
Cleaning or replacing a DPF can be expensive, so it’s important to be proactive in maintaining your DPF. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to extend the life of your DPF:
– Avoid idling your engine for long periods of time.
– Avoid short trips where the engine doesn’t have a chance to reach its operating temperature.
– Use good quality fuel and oil products.
– Follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.
In fact, if you plan to own your vehicle for a long time, consider fitting a very useful accessory called a catch can. Without getting too technical this device traps oily vapours which would otherwise be fed into the intake and help promote soot and carbon build up on internal components of the engine.
With today’s strict emission control standards, it is super important for the longevity of your car engine to keep the intake air as clean as possible to avoid costly repairs down the track.
What to do if the DPF warning light comes back on after being reset
If the DPF warning light comes back on after being reset, it’s time to take action. The first step is to determine the cause of the problem. Is the light coming on because there’s a blockage in the filter? If so, you’ll need to have the filter cleaned. Good news is, there is no longer a reason to replace it. These days there are actually technology available that can effectively clean and restore filter to its original state. It’s best to consult with a qualified mechanic and get a professional expert to help with this process.
In short, if the DPF warning light comes back on after being reset, don’t ignore it. Take action to figure out the cause of the problem and address it accordingly. Otherwise, you could be in for some serious trouble down the road.
At Garden City Tyre and Mechanical, we can now offer DPF cleaning with WYNN’s MultiSERVE technology. This is an automatic regeneration system that uses high-frequency sound waves to clean the DPF filter. The sound waves together with specially formulated cleaning agents, break down the soot and other particles in the DPF filter, making it easy for the regeneration device to remove them.
If you have any questions about DPF cleaning, or if you need to book your car in for a DPF regeneration, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.