What does the DPF light on mean?
2 Answers
DPF light on indicates that the diesel particulate filter is undergoing automatic catalytic cleaning or there is a malfunction. You can drive at high speed for at least half an hour or maintain a speed of over 50 km/h to clear this fault. The DPF is a filter unique to diesel vehicles. It automatically undergoes catalytic cleaning during prolonged driving. Frequent short-distance driving is not conducive to the automatic regeneration and cleaning of this component, which may lead to clogging and trigger the sensor to display a DPF fault. Automotive dashboard indicator lights are categorized into red, green, and yellow. Red lights are mostly danger warning lights; green indicator lights are status indicators, showing the current working state of the vehicle; yellow indicator lights are fault indicators, and when a yellow light appears on the dashboard, it informs the driver that a certain system function of the vehicle has been lost.
I've been driving a diesel pickup for ten years and have encountered the DPF light coming on several times. It means the diesel particulate filter is clogged and needs high-temperature regeneration to burn off the soot. I remember one time when the light came on, I was driving slowly in the city, and it got worse and worse, almost suffocating the engine. I quickly got on the highway and drove at high speed for half an hour, keeping the RPM above 2000, and the light went off naturally. If not handled, the problem can get worse, such as skyrocketing fuel consumption, limited power, or even permanent damage to the filter. I've developed a habit of going on the highway every few weeks to prevent clogging. When driving, pay attention to the dashboard—act immediately when the light comes on and don't delay.
