What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
audi a4 advant s line estate black edition - dpf light come on again - Mark cahill

Hello

New to the forum

I bought an audi a4 advant s line black edition last July 88500 miles stunning condition

Dpf light came on in September followed by engine management light etc from which it went into limp mode

After some research I took it to a very reputable audi vw skoda specialist with excellent reviews

It came up on diagnostics that a pressure sensor was faulty which was replaced with a new one along with a forced regeneration

As the car was under dealer warranty still (3 months)

The dealer paid the bill no problem at all very good communication all the way.

A month or so later I decided to give it a major service same audi specialist as it was due

And too maintain the car properly at a much more reasonable cost than the local audi garages.

As I have a works van and what with lockdown restrictions I still haven't really used my new car on a regular daily basis probably done less than 300 miles since I've had it

As I bought it for social reasons days out etc

In all honesty been wanting to give it a good motorway run for a while but reluctant due to the £200 fine of breaching lockdown !

I have been limited to just going to town & back once a week 6 mile round trip at weekend

As nice to drive it after paying for it & all the expenses along with being in a works van all week

After going to the local esso last week the dpf light has come on again so took it straight back home and it hasn't been driven since

I have ordered some cataclean from amazon upon reading its good for the dpf

Arrives 7th April and also bought some redex dpf cleaner today

but could really do with advice as what to do next with the ldpf warningl ight being on

I'm hearing different things searching dpf on Google etc that when the light comes on in the 1st instance the dpf is about 45% full & that passive/active regeneration needs to take place immediately hence motorway run 30 mins

I'm also hearing the dpf wants cleaning at this point & take it in to the garage

I'm kicking myself now and aren't without negligence doing local runs once a week

I know

As I don't want to cause any damage to the vehicle all opinions and advice is greatly appreciated

Cheers

[Moved to Technical forum as it sits better there - Xileno, moderator]

Edited by Xileno on 02/04/2021 at 21:23

audi a4 advant s line estate black edition - dpf light come on again - elekie&a/c doctor

With such low mileage use ,the conditions for a diesel with a dpf are not ideal. I suggest you do a drive cycle first (as suggested by VW) . Drive at least 40 mph ,keeping the engine revs between 1800-2500, for at least 15 mins.

audi a4 advant s line estate black edition - dpf light come on again - Railroad.

The DPF will regenerate in the following ways.

1. Passive - This is where the DPF is up to temperature during normal driving. You need to make sure you are driving in a manner which will allow it to reach and maintain the required temperature.

2. Active - The ECM takes action to start the regeneration process when the soot level reaches around 45%. The warning lamp will come on to show it's in the Active Mode.

3. Forced - When all previous attempts to regenerate have failed and the dealer then uses diagnostic equipment to force a regen.

4. DPF Blocked - Unable to solve. New DPF or professional cleaning required.

audi a4 advant s line estate black edition - dpf light come on again - RT

The DPF will regenerate in the following ways.

1. Passive - This is where the DPF is up to temperature during normal driving. You need to make sure you are driving in a manner which will allow it to reach and maintain the required temperature.

2. Active - The ECM takes action to start the regeneration process when the soot level reaches around 45%. The warning lamp will come on to show it's in the Active Mode.

3. Forced - When all previous attempts to regenerate have failed and the dealer then uses diagnostic equipment to force a regen.

4. DPF Blocked - Unable to solve. New DPF or professional cleaning required.

I don't know about Audi but other VW Group models don't display any info/warning lights during 2. Active regenerations - the only way of knowing on my 2016 Touareg is if the cooling fan is running at high speed when stopped, indicating and incomplete active regeneration - there are no lights/symptoms during driving.

audi a4 advant s line estate black edition - dpf light come on again - skidpan

2. Active - The ECM takes action to start the regeneration process when the soot level reaches around 45%. The warning lamp will come on to show it's in the Active Mode.

Don't know about VAG diesels (never had one with a DPF but our Kia diesel with DPF was different to that. First off no waring light, I asked the dealer why not and he explained that Kia considered another idiot light on the dash would potentially have owners flooding the dealerships thinking something was wrong. He agreed that for owners who read and understood the manual it would be fine but apparently we are in the minority.

The Kia also had a set mileage limit between active regens programmed into the car. When we bought it 300 miles after the previous regen completed a regen would take place regardless of soot loading, this was an added layer to prevent blockage and considering Kia seem to well on DPF issues it must work. Our had an ECU update after a couple of years the main reason being to improve the flexibility of the engine, it worked. The other change was the regen interval dropped to 250 miles, even more fuel wasted and lower mpg.

One of the many reasons we buy petrol these days despite liking the diesels we owned and never having a DPF issue.

There was no waring light on our BMW with DPF either but that did not do pre-set mileages between regens. Seemed to be round the 1000 mile interval (give or take a bit depending on the time of year and use) but the regens were much longer on that car.