What does it mean when the Great Wall Wingle 5's particulate filter is self-cleaning?
3 Answers
When the combination instrument displays the message "Self-cleaning in progress, please wait," it indicates that the vehicle has automatically initiated the regeneration procedure. Below is an introduction to the regeneration procedure: Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF): During driving, when the particulate matter captured in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) reaches certain conditions, the vehicle will automatically initiate the regeneration procedure to fully burn the particulate matter, restoring the DPF's ability to continue capturing particles. Notes: To ensure the regeneration procedure is completed smoothly, please follow these driving recommendations until the message disappears: try to maintain a steady speed on roads with good conditions, and keep the engine speed around 2000 RPM. Avoid idling the engine as much as possible. Also, try to avoid stopping or turning off the engine.
My Fengjun 5 also showed this alert a couple of days ago, and I did some research on it. The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration is essentially a unique process for diesel vehicles to clean up soot emissions. The principle is quite clever—while driving, the system automatically raises the exhaust temperature above 600°C to burn the accumulated carbon particles into ash. During this process, you'll notice the engine RPM automatically increases to around 1000, fuel consumption rises slightly, and there might be a faint burnt smell underneath the vehicle. It's normal for this to last about 20-30 minutes. Here's the key point: Never turn off the engine when you see the dashboard alert! Interrupting the regeneration will worsen the blockage. It’s recommended to drive on highways for at least half an hour weekly, as this is particularly effective in preventing blockages.
Last time I encountered this situation while driving the Great Wall Wingle 5 on the highway, I specifically asked the maintenance technician. Simply put, the vehicle is self-cleaning the carbon soot from the exhaust. When the carbon particles in the particulate filter accumulate to a certain level, the onboard computer triggers the regeneration program, injecting more diesel into the exhaust pipe to burn off the impurities. During this process, you might notice a slight decrease in power and a muffled exhaust sound, but these symptoms will disappear once the self-cleaning is complete. The key point to note is: avoid prolonged idling during this phase, as maintaining medium to high engine RPM is more effective. City driving tends to trigger self-cleaning more frequently, while highway driving can actually reduce its occurrence.
