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DPF regeneration: your questions answered

By Toyota Blog
DPF regeneration Hilux

Although Toyota’s passenger car range is predominantly focused around petrol-electric hybrid powertrains, the Land Cruiser, Hilux and Proace models are fitted with diesel engines. A diesel particulate filter (DPF) is a feature of these models, and you may have heard about the need for regular DPF regeneration. What does this component do and how do you take care of it?

What does a diesel particulate filter (DPF) do?

The DPF is fitted within the exhaust system and is designed to catch soot particles and nitrous oxide (NOx) from the combustion process that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. The DPF is highly effective and traps around 80% of these harmful particulates.

DPF regeneration

Why do modern diesel engines need a DPF?

European legislation places strict exhaust emissions targets on all vehicle manufacturers. From September 2009, the Euro 5 legislative standard came into effect, part of which required all diesel cars registered from that point on to be equipped with a diesel particulate filter, or DPF.

These filters are used throughout the industry in all diesel-powered passenger vehicles, and their efficiency is vital now that stringent Euro 6d emissions standards are in force.

Do I need to replace a DPF during normal servicing?

Diesel particulate filters do have a capacity limit and can become full. But unlike traditional air, oil or pollen filters that need to be exchanged manually at regular intervals, the DPF has a much longer service life and is designed to regenerate to restore its performance.

The car’s electronic control unit (ECU) is programmed to do this automatically, neutralising the soot by burning it off at high temperature within the exhaust system while the vehicle is running. All modern cars with diesel engines follow this procedure.

DPF regeneration Proace

How does DPF regeneration occur?

The regeneration occurs automatically, usually without the driver being aware that it is taking place. In the majority of cases, the process is carried out when the engine and exhaust system has reached normal operating temperature and the vehicle is travelling at over 40mph.

However, if your driving is limited to urban areas, the low speeds and frequent stops mean the conditions for normal regeneration do not exist. In these instances, the ECU monitors the accumulation of soot and instructs an alternative regeneration programme to begin well before the filter becomes saturated.

This programme injects small quantities of fuel into the engine after combustion, which increases the temperature within the exhaust system and creates an environment where it is possible to safely burn off the soot.

This method is very successful within the small percentage of vehicles where normal regeneration is not possible. However, due to the nature of city traffic, the regeneration process can be interrupted when the vehicle completes its short journey and is turned off. If this occurs, the ECU is programmed to recommence the process when the engine is restarted and back up to temperature again.

DPF regeneration Land Cruiser

How can I help prevent DPF blockages in my Toyota?

Follow these four simple actions:

1. Regularly drive your Toyota on highways at speeds of between 40-55mph for around 20-30 minutes.

2. Avoid spending unnecessary amounts of time with the engine idling.

3, Try to limit the frequency of short journeys where the engine is running for less than ten minutes.

4. Do not ignore dashboard alerts related to the DPF.

Will I be warned if all DPF regeneration processes have been unsuccessful?

Very occasionally, use of the vehicle might be such that it will have been impossible for the ECU to complete the administration of any regeneration procedure. At this point, the DPF will have become overloaded and stopped functioning, so your Toyota will illuminate a warning light in the dashboard. It will then be necessary for the soot to be neutralised and the filter regenerated manually at a main dealer.

It is extremely unwise to ignore this visual warning as the DPF can become irreparably damaged. What’s more, it is illegal to remove the filter entirely.

Learn more: What is the exhaust gas recirculation valve and what does it do?

624 comments

  1. Would you be able to tell me if GY06 RLO has a DPF? VSC, TRC off and Engine lights have come on this morning and I’m just trying to track the issue down. Its been suffering from taking four or five attempts to get it started in the morning, but then runs fine all day.

    Reply

    1. Hi Dale,

      Thanks for getting in touch. If you could please provide a VIN number, we will be able to assist you further.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  2. Hello.for the engine 2.2d-cat rav 4 2007 is good diesel with cetane number 55 and motor oil motulx-clean 5w30? i live in romania.multumesc.

    Reply

  3. Hi I’m having problems with my urban cruiser vsc light flashing and engine light is on also 4wheel drive light is on took it to garage and they don’t know what’s wrong with it also could you tell me if it has a dpf please NG11KVT

    Reply

    1. Hi I have the same problem I brought an obd2 reader of ebay as I thought it was the maf sensor but has said its the dpf, my urban cruser is the same year as yours it has no power now hopefully some PDF cleaner that you put in the petrol will sort it out?

      Reply

  4. Hi Charlotte,

    Thanks for getting in touch and we are sorry to hear that you are experiencing these issues. We would advise for you to contact your local Toyota Centre, as they will be able to perform an inspection on the vehicle.

    In regards to the DPF, if you could please provide a VIN number, our technical team will be able to tell if your vehicle has one.

    Thanks.

    Reply

  5. Hello,
    J have Verso 2.0 93kw 2010 year,(vin NMTDD26R20R021158).
    Did my car have DPF filter.

    Best reguards.

    Bozo

    Reply

      2. Hi Terry,

        Thanks for getting in touch. We can confirm that your vehicle is fitted with a DPF filter.

        Thanks.

    1. Hi Ali,

      Thanks for getting in touch. Unfortunately, as this is not a UK vehicle, we won’t be able to provide this information due to our systems not recognising the VIN. We would advise for you to contact Toyota in your region, as they will be able to assist you further.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  7. Hi, My 2007 dcat t180 corolla verso diesel randomly starts blowing out plumes of smoke for a couple of minutes when i go on my short journeys. Is this normal? Anything to do with dpf regeneration. I have no warning lights on. Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hi Adeel,

      Thanks for getting in touch. For your peace of mind, we would recommend taking it into your local Toyota Centre. They will be best placed to inspect the vehicle and diagnose if there is an issue.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  8. I have a problem with a DPF fault. My car has gone into limp mode, with the engine management light and service light on. The DPF regenerate light hasn’t been on at all. My local garage are at a loss, they don’t know what to do. They believe it could be a software problem. I can’t get any straight answers know one seems to know what is wrong with my car, and I can’t afford to take it in to the dealer. Considering scrapping. Can any one help,

    Reply

    1. Hi Neil,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We’re sorry to hear that you are experiencing a problem. We can only suggest taking it into your local Toyota Centre as they are in the best position to inspect the vehicle and troubleshoot the issue.

      Thanks.

      Reply

    2. Hello, I am looking to buy a car tomorrow and wanted to know if you can tell me if it is fitted with a DPF? REG: RE11COH. Cheers.

      Reply

      1. Hi there,

        Thanks for getting in touch. It’s great to hear that you’re looking to buy an Avensis. We can confirm that the vehicle does have a DPF fitted.

        Thanks.

  9. Hi, please can you help check if my Toyota avensis bj59bxf has dpf installed. Vin is SB1BB76L80E014202. If installed, what engine indicator will come on and will any dpf cleaner fluid help?
    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi there,

      Thanks for getting in touch. We can confirm that your vehicle does have a DPF fitted. If the engine management system detected a fault it would instruct the instrument cluster to bring on the engine management warning lamp. In regards to cleaner fluid, we cannot advise on using any Toyota non-approved products.

      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Hi there

        My reg is YS08 DSO. Could you please advise if it’s fitted with a dpf?

      2. Hi Dennis,

        Thanks for getting in touch. According to the information we have, no DPF is fitted to your vehicle.

    1. Hi Ken,

      Thanks for getting in touch. According to the information we have, no DPF is fitted to your vehicle.

      Reply

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