Is it safe to drive with the DPF light on?
Diesel particulate filters are designed to reduce soot emissions by as much as 80%. When the filter fails, the DPF indicator (diesel particulate filter) lights up. This indicates that the filter is partially clogged. So what is…
Diesel particulate filters are designed to reduce soot emissions by as much as 80%. When the filter fails, the DPF indicator (diesel particulate filter) lights up. This indicates that the filter is partially clogged. So how is the DPF going? Read on to find out more about them.
You must empty your DPF regularly to have optimum performance.
To empty the particulate filter, you must burn the collected soot.
The soot burns at high temperatures while driving at speeds over 40 miles per hour for about ten minutes.
As the soot burns off, you may notice a hot smell coming out of the exhaust, higher idle speeds, and more fuel consumption.
If the soot has not burned off, you will notice a deterioration in the quality of the oil. You must make sure that the oil level does not rise above the maximum level on the dipstick, because if this happens, you may damage the engine.
So, can you drive safely if the DPF light is on? Yes you can. Probably. You are unlikely to get hurt. Your engine, however, is another matter. If you ignore the DPF indicator and continue on your normal throttle/brake pattern, you will probably end up seeing other warning lights come on. Then you will have to turn to the mechanics of the so-called "forced" regeneration. If this is not done, then the amount of soot will only increase.
Finally, your car will stop working properly, at which point, yes, you will consider a safety issue because you will see a drop in performance levels when trying maneuvers like overtaking and merging onto the highway. This is where the word “probably” comes in with regard to safety. You will also likely end up undergoing very expensive repairs.
Never ignore the DPF warning light. You will have a little time between the moment when the particulate filter is minimally blocked and the moment when manual regeneration becomes the only solution. And if you fail to perform a manual regeneration, it is quite possible that you will need a new engine.
