Diesel Particulate Filter

Proper DPF Maintenance

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When dealing with diesel engines and diesel systems overall, proper and timely maintenance is the key to keeping your truck running well for the long haul. Over the decades, the driving public at large has been sold on the “put gas in it and go” mentality to prove the reliability of our daily drivers. However, diesel pickups have crossed into the realm of heavy machinery we depend on to do heavy jobs. Therefore, today’s diesel engines need maintenance akin to that of heavy machinery. We, as diesel drivers, cannot afford to just “gas and go”.

One area in particular that deserves close attention is the DPF system. This system has the unfortunate reputation for being unreliable, problematic and downright failure-prone. The fact is, like all things diesel, treating your DPF system with care is crucial for its reliability and longevity.

The majority of problems associated with DPFs is due to the clogging of soot particles in the filter. DPFs need to burn hot and long in order to “regenerate” or clear the soot particles from the filter.

Factors that can cause the filter to clog are:

  • Only driving short distances
  • Excessive idling
  • Low quality engine oil
  • Low quality fuel
  • Faulty sensors
  • Failure of other components in the overall DPF system

Problems that arise as a result of a clogged DPF filter are:

  • Increased fuel consumption
  • Lower performance
  • Limp mode
  • Engine damage
  • Complete DPF failure

To properly maintain your DPF:

  • Regular highway driving to allow the DPF to automatically regenerate
  • Only use engine oil specifically designed for DPF equipped engines
  • Use high quality fuel plus a lubricant additive to protect your fuel system
  • Yearly manual cleaning of your DPF at your diesel mechanic’s shop
  • Promptly addressing any other problems affecting your engine as a whole
  • Proactively address any DPF warning lights

DPF systems get a bad rep from the diesel community, understandably, but they are a reality we must live with. If we ignore our DPFs, then we are subject to consequences that are dolled out by the thousands of dollars. A little expense in the form of proper maintenance is all we need to make our diesel realities a little brighter.