How Long Can I Drive My VW with DPF Light On? There is no straightforward way to answer a question like this. But, one thing's for sure—seeing a warning indicator like this one on your car's dashboard can be an intimidating experience, especially if you're not sure what it means. There are some interesting facts about DPF light in this article, including what it means, why you see it and how can you fix it. So, please go through it. Let us begin with discussing what 'DPF' means.
What Is DPF And What Does It Stand For? First off, DPF is the abbreviation for Diesel Particulate Filter. Its end goal is to capture particulate matter or soot present in the exhaust gas generated by a diesel engine. For those who don't know, the diesel engine (or, compression-ignition engine) is a kind of internal combustion engine that works on the principle of the Otto cycle to generate motion from chemical energy. And, guess what... it produces a lot of pollutants in the process- which if not removed from the exhaust gas, can harm the environment. In order to deal with these pollutants, almost all vehicles powered by diesel engines come equipped with after-treatment systems. The diesel particulate filter (DPF) is an important part of a diesel vehicle's after-treatment system. Some of the other major components arediesel exhausts fluid (DEF) and selective catalytic reducer (SCR). Now that you know what a DPF is and what it does, let’s discuss the reasons why DPF light may come on and what you can do about it.
VW DPF Light Flashing? Here’s What It Could Mean The DPF light may appear on the dashboard of your Volkswagen for a variety of reasons, and you should know what to do about it. Because it is dangerous to drive a vehicle without paying attention to a warning light likes this. Some of the major reasons why the DPF light of a Volkswagen may come on are;
Particulate filter- It’s probably clogged The simplest explanation is usually the best one. The particulate filter, as most of you probably know by now, is an important part of a diesel vehicle’s after-treatment system. DPF reduces the toxicity of exhaust emissions by trapping the particulate matter produced due to the combustion of diesel in the combustion chamber of the engine. However, it can clog over time due to soot accumulation. And, a clogged DPF is of no use. Also, the DPF - when jammed, can make it hard for the engine to breathe. When the onboard computer encounters this problem, it will activate the DPF warning light to alert the driver.
Defective sensors Another major issue that can result in DPF light illumination on the instrument cluster of a Volkswagen is a faulty sensor. To monitor the functionality of the DPF and other parts of the after-treatment system, the onboard diagnostic system employs a number of sensors. DPF light can appear on a vehicle's dashboard if one of these sensors fails and incorrect data is fed to the computer. If you don’t do anything about it, your car may go into limp mode. Also, inaccurate data provided by these sensors may restrict the engine control module’s ability to do its job properly- as a result of which the power output of the engine will be greatly reduced.
Physical damage Physical damage, of any form can hinder the diesel particulate filter’s ability to trap soot in order to reduce the toxicity of the exhaust emission. This may prompt the onboard computer to activate the DPF light.
VW DPF Light Flashing? Here’s What You Should Do DPF light, like the check engine light, should not be ignored. Because, if your Volkswagen's DPF light is flashing and you don't do anything about it, you will encounter many performance-related issues. So, if your vehicle's DPF light is on, get it checked by a certified professional and follow his recommendation.
To Sum Things Up… Many things can result in the appearance of DPF light on the dash of a car such as soot accumulation, physical damage, and a faulty sensor. DPF-related problems, if left unaddressed, can give rise to numerous performance-related issues. Therefore, if your Volkswagen's DPF light is on, it's time to visit a nearby car repair shop.