How do I look after my DPF?

[ldare2000]

Hi,

On the three occasions my DPF has blocked and the engine warning light come on has been after Motorway drives in 6th gear. This may be a coincidence as obviously these are not the only times I've been on the motorway in 6th. However I don't do much motorway driving, many Welsh windy roads.

The local garages that have sorted me out each time have always suggested giving the car some stick on the motorway every now and again by dropping to 4th. I'm not sure if this is myth or a good solution/prevention.

Anyhow my main question is: Is it healthier for the DPF for me to cruise in 5th or 6th down the motorway?

Also if I boot the car out of a T junction for example I leave a big black cloud, is this black stuff that was built up in the DPF, so a good thing, or is the black soot being dragged from deeper down and being drawn through my precious DPF?

Thanks
Louis

[steelcityuk]

There's lots of things that affect DPF blocking. How you drive -shorts trips pottering about block them faster. The oil that is used is critical - not just viscosity, it must meet or exceed manufacturers specs, usually low ash type. If the injectors aren't working correctly - bad spray pattern creates more soot. If the EGR isn't functioning correctly - that can create more soot. On my 1.9 dCi Scenic it had to be driven for 10 minutes above 3000rpm for the regen to take place. Regen requires very high temperature for a sustained period. Renault state that a forced regen requires an oil and filter change be done following the procedure.

Steve.

[ldare2000]

Hi,
I'm about to have an oil change and I've bought the Elf 5W30 DPF oil Renault Recommend and I'm going to insist the garage use it.

Did you get a message on the display them the display when the regen kicked in? Did you have to drive for 10 mins and then the regen kicked in? Or was complete after 10 mins?
Thanks
Louis