What are the working states when the National VI DPF indicator light is on?
3 Answers
DPF stands for "Diesel Particulate Filter", a device that reduces particulate matter (PM) emissions in exhaust gases. Below are the three working states when the National VI DPF indicator light is on: 1. Automatic Regeneration: The DPF indicator displays green, indicating no manual intervention is required. This state typically occurs when the vehicle is driving at high speeds (above 80km/h). Maintain normal driving until the particulate matter is processed, and the DPF indicator will automatically turn off. 2. Manual Regeneration: The DPF yellow indicator light will flash, usually when the vehicle is driving at speeds below 80km/h. In this case, promptly move away from roads, flammable, and explosive materials. Once the vehicle is stationary, shift to neutral, engage the handbrake, and press the DPF control button. The yellow indicator will remain steadily lit, and the process takes about 15-30 minutes. Once the particulate matter is processed, the indicator will automatically turn off. 3. On-Demand Regeneration: This can be performed at any time and is suitable for users who primarily drive in urban areas.
A few days ago, I was driving my China VI diesel pickup on the road when the DPF warning light suddenly came on. I was a bit nervous at the time, but experience told me there could be several operating states. The most common is the active regeneration state, where the light indicates the system is burning off accumulated particulate matter at high temperatures—a normal process. It's best to maintain high-speed driving to let it complete. If the light stays on without turning off, it might enter a high carbon deposit warning state, meaning the filter is severely clogged and requires manual regeneration or maintenance. The most serious is the fault state, where the light flashes or other warning lights accompany it, indicating a system malfunction that must be repaired immediately. I once had a friend who ignored it, leading to a completely blocked DPF and costly repairs. So now, whenever I see the light on, I first check the vehicle condition, avoid low-speed driving to prevent triggering issues, and take a high-speed drive to prevent clogging and extend its lifespan.
When the DPF warning light is on, drivers should be alert to potential risks, with three main operating states to note. The regeneration state light indicates normal operation as particulates are being burned; the high carbon buildup state light warns of significant clogging risks; the flashing fault state light urgently calls for maintenance. I always remind myself to first pull over safely and observe dashboard changes to avoid engine damage. Preventive measures include weekly highway driving to allow the system to self-clean, with China VI vehicles being more sensitive—promptly inspect the filter to avoid costly maintenance. Road safety comes first—don’t delay addressing these small warning signals.
