Diesel Particulate Filters

[Valmave]

I am thinking about a new car (Skoda Yeti diesel) . The Skoda brochure mentions the diesel particulate filter and that occasionally the car has to be driven fast to clear the filter. Are these filters a big problem ? I do not do a high mileage or use motorways very often.

[EDDIE51]

The filter is only a problem if you only drive short distances and at low speed. It has a light to show if it needs to be cleaned, to do this just drive for 30 mins or so at normal cruising speed 50 to 60 mph. That gets the filter hot enough to burn off the contamination. I have a diesel with the filter and the warning light has never lit up in over 2 years of normal driving.

[SirOracle]

If you only do a low mileage perhaps you would be better off buying a petrol vehicle.

[retrotv]

Too true.

[MantaRay]

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/fuels-and-environment/diesel-particulate-filters.html

[MantaRay]

The modern common-rail turbo-intercooled dpf equipped diesel engine is undoubtedly a fantastic bit of kit for performance and economy but they also have the potential for clocking up much higher repair bills than a comparatively simple non-turbo petrol engine. It makes me wonder where the diesel engine car will sit in the used car market a few years, and miles, down the line.

[gingejbee]

Your question begs another question....why are you considering a diesel engine at all, if you don't do a high mileage?

[EDDIE51]

^^ I do about 12,000 miles a year mostly around town in my 7 seat Zafira eco diesel , it returns over 60mpg. No way could I get that economy in a petrol car.

[gingejbee]

@EDDIE: you'd be surprised what a modern petrol engine can do mileage-wise. Up to a year ago, we had two cars - same make and model - one with petrol engine, one turbo-diesel. The petrol averaged 45 and the diesel 62 mpg. We sold both and bought a new petrol-engined car (stop-start engine, regenerative braking etc) which is averaging 65mpg...and no VED.
You have to take many things into account before choosing...no only annual mileage but type of traffic and,of course, higher initial price of diesel vehicles and (usually) dearer servicing.
Incidentally, I never had any problems with either the petrol or diesel cars we owned and would certainly have another diesel....if the annual mileage and driving conditions warranted it.

[retrocop]

Awful things.I have one on my Nissan Navara and my wife has one on her Skoda Fabia Greenline.It is true that the filter needs a good blast of speed occasionally if it starts to clog up due to a lot of slow,stop start urban driving.The biggest bug bear is the extra cost of the engine oil if these are fitted.It is,apparently,crucial that the correct oil compatible for use with DPF is used and is costlier than ordinary mineral oil.If the engine is not operating to efficient capacity a light will light up usually to tell the driver to give the filter a blow out and that should clear the DPF.

[EDDIE51]

Mine is a Motability car so we only pay for fuel everything else is free.
When it was damaged in an accident (not my fault the other drivers insurance paid for it all) we got an equivalent petrol model for a week, that would not do over 40mpg on the same journeys and distance.

[Bazile]

How are you all measuring the mpg your'e getting from your vehicle ?