Frequently Asked Questions

The diesel particulate filter, also known as a DPF is a device designed to remove diesel particulate matter or soot from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine.

These exhaust filters are fitted to the majority of late model diesel vehicles.

The purpose of the DPF is to collect the soot that comes from diesel being burned. With the DPF in place it is able to catch most of the harmful particles and stop them from being released into the atmosphere. 

Any vehicle that was built after 2009 must have a DPF in order to be compliant with emissions standards.  

If you notice any of the following signs, it means that your DPF may be clogged and should be cleaned:

1. While driving you experience surging or poor performance.
2. You notice that your vehicle requires more fuel than usual.
3. You see more smoke than usual. The smoke may appear to be black, blue, or white.
4. You notice that your DPF emissions lights are lit up.
5. You have difficulties when attempting to start the engine. 
6. Your engine is running rougher than normal. 
7. You are unable to complete a regeneration.

Before replacing your DPF you should have it looked at by a professional. In some cases your DPF may be able to be cleaned without requiring a replacement. In other cases, a cleaning may not be enough and you will need a replacement. This can happen when your DPF is:

1. Clogged
2. Broken
3. Melted

Have your DPF looked at by a professional to determine if it needs to be replaced or cleaned.

The best way to keep your DPF clean is to hire a professional DPF cleaning company like National DPF Cleaning. Their experience and equipment will ensure your DPF is cleaned properly and completely. 

They are also trained and have the equipment necessary to deal with the waste left behind from the cleaning process that can potentially be toxic and harmful to the environment.

Every DPF requires regular cleaning. It is very important to keep your DPF clean as this preventive maintenance could say you a ton of time and money in the future and prevent you from having too much downtime with a vehicle that cannot be used. 

Some key milestones to keep in mind when it comes to the frequency of DPF cleaning are:

1. Time – You should have your DPF cleaning once a year at the very least. 
2. Mileage – Every 60,000 miles you should consider a cleaning. 
3. Oil Consumption – For every 16 quarts of oil consumed, you should have a cleaning.