DPF Servicing
Diesel Particulate Filter servicing
The function of the DPF is to capture and store soot in the exhaust, and to reduce harmful emissions that diesel cars produce. It has been a legal requirement for diesel cars since 2009 and is illegal to remove. If you remove your DPF it can invalidate your insurance policy and your car will fail its MOT.
When to Check my DPF?
Your DPF should last 100,000 miles if it is well maintained, and they are expensive to replace if they are not cared for properly, so it is important for you to know when to get it serviced.
One way for you to know it needs checking is if the DPF light shows on your dashboard. Please refer to your manufacturer handbook for more information on how your car might indicate a DPF issue.
If your car exhaust is producing black smoke, this can also indicate an issue with the DPF.
Issues with your DPF can sometimes be solved by going for a long drive, but if your car is blowing black smoke or your warning light does not go off, please bring it in to Ellingham Auto Solutions for us to look at.
Common Issues with DPFs
The most common problem with DPFs is that they can get blockages, causing them to stop working efficiently. There are a few causes of this, and knowing these can help you care for your DPF between services.
Some car oils contain additives that can cause the DPF filter to get blocked. At Ellingham Auto Solutions, we carefully choose everything we use on your car to prevent this happening.
If you frequently run on low fuel, the DPF may avoid regeneration in the DPF in order to save fuel. Keeping your car adequately topped up can stop this happening and prolong the life of your DPF. Similarly, if you only do short journeys at low speeds your DPF may not be able to effectively burn off the excess soot, as it requires higher exhaust temperatures to do it. Both of these can lead to blockages.
If you have any performance modifications on your car, they can cause damage to the DPF. If you need any work done to your car, we are happy to work with you so your car still runs effectively and safely without compromising any of its elements.
What is forced regeneration?
When your DPF stops automatically regenerating, we will carry out a service called forced regeneration. This is where we remove the built up soot by manually increasing the exhaust temperature so that the DPF burns it off. This should allow the DPF to automatically begin regeneration again.
In more extreme cases, the DPF may need to be removed and cleaned, or even replaced.
We are the reliable choice for Ashford car servicing.
At Ellingham Auto Solutions we will provide you with the best customer service, providing full transparency and a wide range of services.
With a wide range of industry experience, you can count on us to meet all of your car needs.
We are able to conduct thorough car diagnostics using specialised tools, finding any problem and the solution efficiently.
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