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Workshop Jargon | Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF)

This is the third blog in our series on workshop jargon. Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) are fitted in all diesel cars to reduce pollution to our environment. The DPF is fitted to the exhaust pipe and traps soot particles emitted from the engine. Like all filters they need to be emptied every now and again and in the case of DPFs this is called regeneration.

Basically when the filter reaches a high enough temperature the soot is burnt off to leave a small ash residue. These high temperatures can only be achieved on long journeys or with a certain driving style. Not all people with a diesel car are driving enough long distance journeys to allow the DPF to reach an adequate temperature to regenerate. This means that over a period of time of short journeys or ‘stop-start’ driving the filter becomes blocked.

Car workshop jargon | diesel particulate filters

When this happens a warning light is displayed on the dash. This is not a breakdown situation; it is just the car telling you that it needs to have its filter emptied. All diesel cars will have a section in the Manufacturers handbook to explain Diesel Particulate Filters and what to do when the filter becomes saturated. Here are a couple of examples from 2 manufacturers.

This is an example of what Vauxhall say in one of their handbooks:

“The system includes a self-cleaning function that runs automatically during driving without any notification. The filter is cleaned by periodically burning off the soot particles at high temperature. This process takes place automatically under set driving conditions and may take up to 25 minutes. Typically it needs between 7 and 12 minutes.”

“Under certain driving conditions eg short distances, the system cannot clean itself automatically. If the cleaning of the filter is required and if previous driving conditions did not enable automatic cleaning, it will be indicated by DPF control indicator on the dash.”

“To activate the cleaning process, continue driving, keep engine speed above 2000 revolutions per minute. Shift down if necessary.”

“The DPF indicator extinguishes as soon as the self-cleaning operation is complete.”

If the DPF light does not go out or other dash warning lights appear your car needs to be seen by a mechanic.

This is an extract from a Seat handbook:

“If the driving conditions do not allow the filter to clean itself (eg multiple short trips) the filter will be obstructed and the indicator for diesel engine particulate filter will light up. This does not represent a fault, it is a warning that indicates that the filter has not been able to regenerate automatically and that you must carry out a cleaning cycle.”

“To do this, drive about 15 minutes in 4th or 5th gear (automatic gearbox: S gear range) at a speed of 60km/h with the engine running at approximately 2000 rpm. This increase in temperature will burn off any soot in the filter. When cleaning is successful, the symbol switches off.”

“If the symbol does not turn off, or the three lamps turn on (particulate filter, emission control system fault and heaters) take the vehicle to a specialised workshop to carry out a forced regeneration.”

These guidelines are specific to a Seat and Vauxhall vehicle so it is important that you check your handbook for instructions specific to your own car.

Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF) regeneration in diesel cars.

DPF regeneration is perfectly normal in diesel cars, here are a few symptoms that can occur during regeneration:

  • Cooling fans running
  • A hot, acrid smell from the exhaust
  • A change to the sound of the engine

Diesel Particulate Filters are found in most diesel cars from 2009 onwards to meet European Emissions Standards. Here at McAfee Cars Ballymena we get asked questions regularly about Diesel Particulate Filters (DPF), what it is and how it works, so hopefully this should help you understand a bit more about it. If you’re interested in finding out more about what’s under the bonnet and how your car works, you can read our 2 previous workshop jargon blogs (part 1 here & part 2 here)

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Car Workshop Jargon – How Does It Work?

Car workshop jargon – How does it work? If you drive then this article should be useful to help you understand your car and ‘how it all works’ just that little bit better. Many motorists have a very limited knowledge of car mechanics but just a little bit of knowledge and an understanding of how the different parts work could help your driving experience and help you look out for potential problems. Here at McAfee Cars Ballymena we’re going to guide you through some familiar car parts and what their job is.

Some common terms used in car workshop jargon:

Filters – Most vehicles will have 3 different types of filters fitted to them.

  • Air filter – this filters the air coming into the engine and so prevents dirt and debris getting into the engine and causing problems.
  • Fuel filter – over time some debris can build up in the fuel tank. The fuel filter is fitted so it stops these particles from getting into the engine.
  • Pollen filter – this one helps you have a much more pleasant trip as it helps remove pollen and dust from entering the cabin of the vehicle.

Suspension – all of the suspension parts work together to give you a much more pleasant and smooth drive while also protecting the vehicle.

  • Springs – large metal springs which take the shock and roughness out of driving surfaces.
  • Shock absorbers and struts – these work together to dampen vibrations by slowing down the rebound of the springs, making it a smoother journey especially on rougher roads.
  • Suspension bushes – these connect the body of the car to the suspension arms which again minimize noise and vibration through the vehicle.

Gearbox – the gearbox transmits power from the engine to the wheels.

Clutch –  the link between the engine and gearbox. When the clutch pedal is depressed it stops the drive between the engine and the gearbox, allowing you to change gear.

Belts –

  • Timing belt – keeps all the components of the engine running together at the correct pace and is essential to the smooth running of the engine.
  • Fan belt (alternator belt) – fan belts are flexible rubber belts that are used to power components such as the air conditioner compressor, power steering pumps and water pumps. For example the fan belt connects the engine cooling fan to the alternator and crankshaft pulley.
  • Water pump and coolant – driven by the fan belt, the water pump circulates the coolant around the engine and radiator to keep the engine cool.

We hope this helps you to understand better some of the terms used in car workshop jargon. There are some jobs you can do yourself like checking your vehicle’s oil. You can watch a short instructional video here if you’re not sure how. If you have any queries about your vehicle, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at McAfee Cars, Railway St, Ballymena. We’ll do our best to help.