Only diesel vehicles have diesel particle filters, whose job is collecting soot from the exhaust and preventing dangerous particles from being emitted and damaging the environment.
If your fleet consists of diesel cars, you know that keeping the diesel particle filters (DPFs) clean is crucial for efficiency and sustainability. If you don’t clean the filters regularly, soot from the engine may build up and reduce the vehicle’s performance, which can be expensive to fix. Similarly, DPFs may become clogged if your fleet rarely travels far because the exhaust system’s heat doesn’t burn off the soot.
During maintenance, defective dpf parts explains how the filters need to be cleaned; hence, you need to pay attention to them to address issues at the onset. Whether you have this problem at hand or want to maintain the filters of your fleet, this article can help you get started with cleaning your fleet’s DPFs.
Why It’s Essential To Have A Regularly Cleaned DPF
Here is a quick overview of why it’s vital to clean your DPF.
- It Improves Engine Efficiency
The DPF is a portion of the exhaust system in your engine, and even if it’s just partially blocked, it will still cause the engine to experience more back pressure. That’s why keeping up with regular DPF cleaning is so important.
Engines run more smoothly and last longer when the DPF is cleaned regularly. The engine’s efficiency will drop if the filter isn’t at peak efficiency.
- It Enhances Fuel Economy
The most noticeable advantage of keeping the DPF clean is the savings on fuel costs. DPF-equipped vehicles cost drivers an extra USD$300 annually, according to the EPA’s estimates. If the DPF gets clogged, the vehicle’s emissions increase and the engine needs to work harder to get the extra pollution out of the exhaust.
Keeping the DPF clean results in reduced engine wear and reduced maintenance costs.
- It Prevents DPF Replacement
By having your DPFs cleaned regularly, you can extend the time between replacements, which is when you’ll notice the cost difference. It’s important to remember that diesel particulate filters are expensive and easily damaged if not regularly cleaned.
If this occurs, you are expected to get new ones. They need to be replaced periodically or cleaned thoroughly at regular intervals.
How To Clean The DPF
DPFs can be cleaned by the vehicle’s owner using a torch to remove soot or by a service center using advanced equipment. Having your own DPF cleaning machine can be an excellent investment if it’s a recurring issue.
To clean DPFs effectively and efficiently, you should consider the following tips.
- Utilize Active Regeneration
Cleaning a DPF is as simple and inexpensive as driving the car for a long distance while revving the engine at high RPMs. By doing so, the exhaust heat is increased, and the soot clogging the DPF is burned off. A highway or an isolated road is ideal because you can maintain a constant speed without damaging the vehicle or inconveniencing anyone.
Increasing the exhaust temperature by injecting more gasoline is one way some vehicles cope with soot. When your car undergoes active regeneration, the fuel economy decreases, and the engine noise modifies. Consequently, the soot burns out if the exhaust is high enough. Remember that this process can only be effective if your automobile is constantly moving and not just idling in traffic.
- Only Fill Your Vehicles With Its Recommended Oil
When engine oil is inadequate, it can cause the DPF to fail. Conventional engine oils contain powerful anti-friction and detergent agents derived from metallic additives. While effective, they also carry the risk of producing and amassing ash, which can obstruct the substrate wall and cut off the free passage of exhaust gases.
Moreover, diesel particulate filters and three-way catalytic converters are especially vulnerable to the damage caused by these additives in engine oil. Using only DPF-compatible engine oil in vehicles equipped with such a filter is essential.
Lubricants with low sulphated ash, phosphate, and sulphur (low-SAPS) are recommended for DPF-equipped vehicles. Low-ash and low-emission oils are two other names for these fuels. It is due to their reduced propensity for generating ash. Oils with low sulphated ash content per volume are developed for cars with diesel particulate filters and three-way catalytic converters.
Keep in mind that the ash emission properties of different engine oil grades make them incompatible. Don’t hesitate to contact your diesel vehicle’s maker for a more in-depth recommendation if you’re still trying to decide which is best for your car.
- Always Observe Your Warning Lights
It is essential to pay attention to the DPF warning indicator. Continue driving even if the warning light comes on, as stopping could worsen the congestion. Your driver should notify their supervisor and keep moving to remove the soot until the indicator light stops blinking. If that doesn’t do the trick, you’ll have to take the car in for a detailed cleaning at a service center.
- Religiously Service Your Vehicles
Preventative maintenance on your fleet cars might aid in keeping the DPFs clean. Oil changes, which involve draining the old oil and putting in clean oil, are standard services since they aid in keeping the DPFs in good condition.
Your DPFs may clog more frequently if your fleet only makes short trips within urban areas. Long-distance performance is typically more excellent in diesel vehicles.
Choosing the incorrect oil can be damaging and costly in the long run, so it’s essential to think ahead and research what works best for your fleet vehicles. Use the oil and fuel the owner’s manual recommended to get the most out of your fleet.
These four guidelines can help make your vehicles soot-free as much as possible. Keep your fleet drivers and vehicles safe by anticipating potential issues and providing them with the appropriate training to avoid easy mistakes.
Takeaway
Prevention is undeniably preferable to treatment when it comes to diesel particulate filters (DPFs). If you want to avoid future difficulties with your diesel vehicles, you should learn from the mistakes of other fleet owners and have your DPFs cleaned regularly.
Along with your DPF, regularly check your fleet vehicles and look for other ways to maintain their peak condition. Keeping the DPF clean can improve your car’s efficiency, add to its market value, and, ultimately, extend its life.
