Diesel powered vehicles today are equipped with diesel particulate filters or DPFs in order to keep the emission from your vehicle clean and up to state and national emission standards. Here are four tips to help keep your DPF filter clean and working well.

#1 Drive Fast & Without Stopping

This may seem like advice that is contrary to most that you hear about increasing the fuel efficiency and decreasing the emissions from your vehicle. However, DPFs are designed to kick in and work effectively when you reach a specific speed and maintain that speed for a specific distance. The manufacture of the DPF that you have in your vehicle should be able to provide you with the speed and length of time that you need to drive for your DPF to work most effectively.

Try to avoid stopping and starting as well as excessive ideally; the smoother you drive, the longer your filter will last.

#2 Use The Correctly Oil For Your Vehicle

With diesel vehicles, it is really important that you use the manufacturers approved oil for your engine. Generally, diesel manufacturers recommend that oils that have a low sulphated ash level be used on diesel vehicles. These are called SAPS oils, and you want one that has low SAPS levels. Sulphated ash is a diesel by-product that can get stuck to your diesel filter and shorten its life, which is why you should use oils that have low sulphated ash levels.

#3 Get Your EGR Valves Checked

Finally, you need to have your EGR valves checked and cleaned. Your EGR valves are designed to filter out both carbon and soot. However, over time, the carbon and soot that your EGR valves are designed to filter out can become stuck to the valves instead. When this happens, it can cause your valves to stay open longer than they should. This can lead to particulates getting into your engine and damaging it as well as your diesel filter.

Sometimes, your engine warning light will go off when there is an issue with your EGR valves; however, this is not always the case, which is why you should have them checked out on a regular basis.

Taking care of your filter involves being aware of how you drive, using the right oil in your vehicle, and getting the small details checked out, such as your EGR valves. If you follow the three tips above, you should be able to keep your DPFs clean and in great working order. For more information, talk to a professional like JP's Truck Service.

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