Stationary Regeneration – We’ve Got You Covered

The diesel particulate filters (DPF) in today’s commercial vehicles require periodic maintenance to ensure that they function properly.

Sample diesel particulate filter system

Sample diesel particulate filter system

When it’s time to service, you may see a light on your dash stating “DPF Regeneration Needed.” So why is this required? The DPF’s function is to trap diesel particulates so they cannot cause pollution. These particulates are usually burnt through normal engine operation (active regeneration), but when temperatures in the system are not high enough to burn thoroughly, these particulates can build up and trigger the “DPF Regen Needed” light to illuminate on your dash.

Depending on the type of warning light (for instance, static or flashing), stationary regeneration should be performed immediately or within a few hours to avoid damage to the vehicle exhaust system. It’s very important to follow the OEM specifications if you get the “DPF Regen Needed” warning.

TruckSeries covers the steps you need to perform stationary regeneration procedures as well as troubleshooting on all makes and models of Class 4-8 trucks. If you have a diagnostic code related to stationary regeneration, you can find information on the code in RepairConnect, the TruckSeries trouble code module. Below is a sample of the DPF regeneration information in TruckSeries (click the image to expand to full size).

DPF_InfoJPG

About the Author

Sam Wallace

Sam Wallace joined the Commercial Vehicle Group at Mitchell 1 in 2011 and is an associate editor for the TruckLabor product. He is ASE certified in automotive and medium/heavy truck and previously worked as both a technician and assistant manager at a repair shop. Sam holds associate degrees in automotive technology and general studies from Southwestern Community College.