If you own a diesel car then chances are you have a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). Any diesel engine
can be susceptible to soot build-up, especially those mainly driven around town or on short or low speed
journeys. DPFs are designed to remove this soot as you drive, but over time they can stop working.
To avoid expensive repair bills – especially as the cost of living increases - and to keep your car running smoothly, we recommend regular DPF cleaning.
To avoid expensive repair bills and to keep your car running smoothly, we recommend regular DPF cleaning.
DPFs were developed to meet ongoing changes in emissions regulations, and are now fitted to almost all
modern diesel vehicles. This relatively new technology has proven to be very successful in reducing
emissions, however sometimes things can go wrong.
Read on to find out how DPFs work, and what to do if problems arise.
As you drive, harmful exhaust soot starts to build up on the walls of your DPF filter, reducing
performance
and fuel efficiency. To keep the system clean, a process called 'regeneration' is used. This is
when the
exhaust temperature rises to 600°C and burns off the soot, keeping your engine free of
harmful
chemicals.
There are many factors that can stop this regeneration process from working effectively, such as
the type of
fuel and oil used, driving style and vehicle age and mileage.
If you're experiencing the following symptoms your DPF may need cleaning:
The DPF warning symbol has appeared on your car's dashboard
Loss of power
The automatic stop-start system isn't working
Poor fuel economy
Cooling fans run more than normal
A new DPF system can cost as much as £3,000 at a main dealer, but in most cases, using a
DPF cleaning
product can rectify the problem. So, if you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's
important to get it
checked out by a qualified technician as soon as possible to avoid costly bills.
If your filter is found to be completely blocked, our technicians will inspect the car to
understand what
has
caused the blockage, and will carry out an intensive clean to solve the issue. In tough cases,
the
filter
will be removed and soaked overnight before refitting.
We'll provide an accurate quote at the time of inspection. We will always discuss recommended
repairs
with
you, before any work is carried out.
Our technicians know their stuff - we serve over 750,000 customers every year
Book a convenient slot for you at one of our 300+ autocentres nationwid
All of our work is guaranteed for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever's soonest
We offer a four month interest free payment plan for repairs over £200
9/10 customers would recommend us to a friend.*
Our expert technicians fix hundreds of DPFs ever year, saving our customers thousands in
unnecessary
car
repair bills. What's more, our approved DPF cleaners have been extensively tested to confirm
that
they
are suitable and safe to use on all diesel engines, so you can be confident that your car's in
safe
hands with us.
DPF Cleaning at Halfords Autocentres
We have two DPF cleaning options available, depending on how serious the fault of your DPF is:
DPF Maintenance Clean: Preventative treatment for filters with some
build-up
Are your journeys usually fewer than 20 miles? Do you do a lot of stop-start driving? The DPF
Maintenance
Clean is designed for drivers making lots of short trips, where the engine isn't getting hot enough
to
burn off excess soot.
This product should be used every six months to keep your engine free from build-up.
DPF Deep Clean: For
filters with moderate to severe build-up
If your filter has moderate to severe build-up then the DPF Deep Clean may be the only option to
avoid a
complete filter replacement. As part of the Deep Clean, our highly skilled technicians will inject a
special cleaning agent into the filter to remove the blockage.
