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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?

626 comments

  1. Hi, My hylux does do a dpf regeneration. I’ve tryed to park it and do a static regeneration but doesn’t do it and it’s never done it whilst driving. It so a lot of towing and quite abit of motorway driving so it should do it really. I’ve taken it to the toyota centre because the warning light came on a while ago. It’s came on again this week but it never warns that it’s getting full like it says it should in the Video

    Reply

    1. Hi Alex,
      Unfortunately, we cannot inspect your vehicle online.
      We would recommend taking your vehicle to your Toyota Centre, they will be best placed to inspect this for you.
      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. Hi I’ve got a Hilux ATU Icon , it’s done 1500 miles and been in the garage no fewer than 5 times . All with the same fault , DPF and pre collision malfunction . It’s been in the garage more time than I’ve had using it . I waited 15months for the vehicle . The ‘new ‘ sensor it needs ( unbelievable in a brand new truck ) is apparently on back order and won’t be with us until 25th Aug . Toyota have done zero to rush this on ! I’ve driven Hiluxes for 30yrs and this is by far and away the worst . Absolutely dire for what is supposed to be the worlds most reliable truck . Very very dissapointed

      2. Hi Ian,
        Thanks for your comment.
        Firstly, we’d like to apologise for any inconvenience and frustration that may have been caused.
        Please be assured we are doing everything we can to get your Hilux back on the road as quickly as possible.
        We would recommend contacting our Customer Relations team who will be able to look into this further for you.
        You can contact them here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
        Thanks.

  2. Hi there. The dash lights have lit up on my hilux 2021 model. I have been told that it needs a new sensor in the DPF filter. I cannot believe it none in the country. On back order 6 to 8 weeks before can get one. Shocking

    Reply

    1. Hi Stephen,
      We are really sorry to hear about the inconvenience you have faced.
      Please be assured we are doing everything we can to get your Hilux back on the road as quickly as possible.
      Thanks.

      Reply

    1. Hi,

      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. This means your 2011 RAV4 does have a DPF.

      Thanks

      Reply

  4. I have a 2022 hilux invincible, pain from the very first day of collection when my car was bashed before collection and it has taken me 5 months to get that fixed when it’s not my fault! All the while I have continuous dpf regenerations which are apparently normal. My 3 hiluxs over 8 years all brand new, no problem with the first 2 and no regens at all and then there’s this one which has now done 1190 miles and has done 8 dpf regen’s and I drive both motorway and local journeys but have an average of 148 miles every regen regardless of the type of driving I am doing. My very first dpf regen was at 98 miles and has continued, it is always when I am about to finish my journey so I have to continue to drive it which is causing me to use more fuel and to be honest I am not sure I will be getting a hilux as my next car, I feel very let down by Toyota and the customer service team/centre.

    Reply

    2. Hi Natalie,
      I’ve done 200 miles.in my Hilux and it’s done 3 regens already. It’s 30 mins motorway each way to work. Then a lot of motorway in work hrs.
      I was also a diesel mechanic for a large manufacturer of engines. Even I think this is excessive and wondering if this is a fault.
      Has yours developed into any further? I’ve had mine 2 days and it’s done 3 regens.

      Reply

      1. Hi Gareth, thanks for your comment.

        Please contact your Toyota Centre if you believe there is an issue with your vehicle.

        Thanks.

  5. Our DPF light came on whilst I was on a long drive on the motorway. Took it to Toyota garage and was told it would be £1700 to replace as it was full. I have extended warranty but was told it’s not covered. I asked why it wasn’t regenerating itself and they said it’s probably the way I drive. I do daily long, high speed journeys. I took it elsewhere to be cleaned out. 6 weeks later it’s full again. Called the garage that cleaned it they said it is clearly faulty and to call Toyota as they have a duty of care as it is under warranty. Called Toyota garage and they said it shouldn’t be full again so clearly not right but they have to get approval from Toyota claims team. Toyota claims team refused to cover it under warranty. There is a class action against Toyota in Australia regarding faulty DPFs. What do you say we get our own class action going in the UK?

    Reply

  6. How long should a 2020 2.0 Diesel Proace take to to get tho the correct operating temperature from a cold start when idling? I realise this is not the correct way to warm an engine, just looking for a benchmark time.

    Reply

    1. Hi Alan, thanks for your question.

      Unfortunately, we cannot advise on a specific time, as this depends on how warm you’d like your car and other factors, such as the outside temperature.

      Thanks.

      Reply

      1. I’m not enquiring about how warm I’d like my van. As I understand modern engines are designed to be efficient when operating at the correct operating temperature if this is not achieved within a given period 5-10min? 10-20min? Or longer, clearly the vehicle is more polluting when running at the incorrect temperature. I’m enquiring about the approximate time it should take the engine (not interior) to get to the correct operating temperature. I realise things like outside temperatures affect this but Toyota must have parameters for this given that vehicles are tested in all climates prior to release.

      2. Hi Alan,

        Our Technical Team have advised that there is no set time for this. Simply, the system aims to reach operating temperature as quickly as the external conditions and system demands allow.

        Thanks.

  7. Hi I’ve had a 70 plate hilux for about 2 months after purchasing it from a Toyota main dealer
    The DPF regeneration comes on after approximately every 40 miles this cannot be right surely?

    Reply

    1. Hi Stephen, thanks for your comment.

      If you believe there is an issue with your vehicle, please contact your Toyota Centre. They can physically inspect the vehicle and detect whether there is an issue.

      Thanks.

      Reply

  8. HI, I have an issues now with the DPF units after Toyota changed the EGR valve ( on a recall for a 2016 RAV 4) and have heard that the manifold should also have been changed but was not done ….. have also been advised that this should have been done as a belt and braces exercise to ensure that there are no further issues with these items on the diesel engines…… But I suppose Toyota would prefer to penny pinch rather than keep customers ,,,,,, AND now there are further issues with the DPF filters.

    Because of this issue, I will be changing the car soon and will definitely have to think twice before buying a Toyota.

    Reply

  9. hi there my 2021 hilux 2.4 active regenerates approx every 180 miles a lot of my driving is short journeys the other day i was on the motorway and it took 34 miles to complete when iam doing short journeys and it starts to regenerate and i wont be able to carry on driving can i park up and do it manually with the switch this would be a lot easier for me rather than carrying on driving to complete this regeneration process thanks

    Reply

    1. Hi Stephen, thanks for your question.

      Please provide a Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this.

      Thanks.

      Reply

      2. Hi Stephen,

        Our Technical Team have advised that diesels, especially modern diesels, do not like multiple short journeys due to the emissions controls on them. Therefore, natural regeneration is recommended as it normally takes approximately 30 minutes of motorway or highway driving to complete.

        For additional information, we would recommend looking at Page 465 of your online Owner’s Manual.

        Thanks.

  10. Hi.
    In 2017 I purchased a 2015 Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4D Icon plus. I have had an ongoing situation where every so often the instant fuel reading on the information centre drops by about 30mpg for 10-15 minutes driving. There is no pattern as to when this situation starts and finishes, the car feels no different to drive and no warning lights come on. I average about 10,000 miles a year most of which is open road driving. This has happened about once a month this year. I have asked my main dealer to investigate this before, but they were unable to resolve it or explain why it occurred. Could this be due to DPF regeneration?

    Reply

    1. Hi Stephen,
      Thanks for your comment.
      Unfortunately, we are unable to diagnose issues with vehicles over the internet without any physical inspection.
      If this problem persists, we would recommend contacting your Toyota Centre again.
      Thanks.

      Reply

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