Tips For Maintaining Your Diesel Particulate Filters

If you drive a truck, chances are good that you are familiar with your diesel particulate filter (or DPF) and how it can become clogged with relative ease. If you don't keep your DPF clean, then there is a good chance that your truck is not going to run nearly as well and could possibly cause lasting damage to your vehicle. Here are some tips for keeping your DPF as clean and well-maintained as possible.

1. Commit to Driving Faster

The DPF naturally cleans itself, meaning that it will regenerate and get rid of any particle buildup. Your DPF cannot regenerate on its own unless you drive at a certain number of rotations per minute. In order to make sure that you don't have to pay for a manual regeneration, talk to the manufacturer of your vehicle to find out the conditions under which an automatic regen is possible. The first thing that you should find out is how fast you have to drive in order to achieve the regeneration. The next step is to figure out the length of time that you need to drive at this speed. Finally, you will need to know what temperature your engine should be at in order to monitor the progress of the regen. If your manufacturer does not have this information, talk to other people who drive the same model truck to see if they have found out any of these metrics.

2. Use Oil That is Low in Sulphated Ash

The next thing that you want to do is find an oil that is low in sulphated ash. Most of the clogs that could occur in your DPF is made up of sulphated ash, so using an oil that is designed to reduce the amount of ash that is produced will help you keep your DPF clean. 

3. Take Longer Trips Sometimes

If you have the option to take a route somewhere that consists of primarily in-city driving at low speeds and a lot of stop-and-go traffic and a route that allows you to drive on a clear highway, choose the latter option, even if it would take you a little bit longer. If you take this longer route once in awhile, you will be able to increase the chances that you will hit on all of the variables that are needed for an automatic regeneration.

For more information, talk to a company that specializes in DPF cleaning. To find out more, speak with a business like Regeneration Services LLC.