DPF monitoring tools - anyone




If the "Request to Initiate DPF Regen" is in the standard, I wonder if MB has the option of ignoring it.
Although, since it is a "request" maybe that makes it optional.
Standards are all about the meaning of words.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OBD-II_PIDs
7A Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
7B Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
7C Diesel Particulate filter (DPF) temperature
My guess is the first 2 is for DPF pressure (before/after DPF). Yes, perhaps the "initiate regeneration" functionality maybe a proprietary function of MB. But I want to "see" the current status of my DPF so I know when it is due for a regen or not. Why? same reason why there is a DPF light on trucks and other modern diesels.
How long are the DPF's lasting ? .
Does the longevity depend on how the car is driven ?
Thanks.








It does it when running at higher speeds for a period of time, it is not done when idling.
From what I have read the way to keep your DPF healthy is to;
Avoid short trips.
Avoid unnecessary excessive idling.
Use good fuel and always use proper oil.
Pay attention to other issues that trip the "Check Engine" light. (Don't just keep driving for a long time because it "feels" OK)
There have a been a few people here mentioning they needed a replacement, but far more well over 100K and doing OK. (Of course OK is relative because we don't know how much time/miles we have left)
MB likes to replace parts with new at the highest possible cost. (It does help keep the car "Like New"), but the trucking and heavy diesel world is moving to off-vehicle regeneration when normal regeneration fails.
With the number of Sprinters in commercial service, getting our MB DPFs regenerated is going to get easier.
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From what I have read the way to keep your DPF healthy is to;
Avoid short trips.
Avoid unnecessary excessive idling.
Use good fuel and always use proper oil.
Pay attention to other issues that trip the "Check Engine" light. (Don't just keep driving for a long time because it "feels" OK)
There have a been a few people here mentioning they needed a replacement, but far more well over 100K and doing OK. (Of course OK is relative because we don't know how much time/miles we have left)
MB likes to replace parts with new at the highest possible cost. (It does help keep the car "Like New"), but the trucking and heavy diesel world is moving to off-vehicle regeneration when normal regeneration fails.
With the number of Sprinters in commercial service, getting our MB DPFs regenerated is going to get easier.




I just want it to work as well as possible for as long as possible.
If someone confirmed that extra regen cycles helped (without wasting too much fuel, or being hard on other systems like EGR) I would be interested.
I want to monitor the differential pressure now when my DPF is healthy so I can compare the numbers years later. I also want to know when a regen is approaching/happening so I dont interrupt it when it is happening. During winter, it is very hard for the exhaust to reach optimum temps for a complete and effective regen (>600F). Its even harder if folks take short drives in the winter. We know the DPF will not last forever, I think everyone will agree that DPF deterioration does not happen overnight....this is a slow progressive failure that nobody can "see" unless you have the proper OBD tools. Also, it helps used buyers determine how much life is left on the DPF.




So, while I agree the current gen of DPF are sub-optimal, I think they are necessary for any significant adoption of diesel for light vehicles.
That is where I am headed.












What does the owners manual say about the notice.
Are you supposed to do anything differently?
Typically you don't show anything on the instrument panel if it is not "actionable", and I wonder is the warning so you know what is happening in case you feel it driving differently, or if there is some thing you are not supposed to do.
(I can't imagine you are supposed to drive past your destination just because it is in regen?)
Are you supposed to do anything differently?
Typically you don't show anything on the instrument panel if it is not "actionable", and I wonder is the warning so you know what is happening in case you feel it driving differently, or if there is some thing you are not supposed to do.
(I can't imagine you are supposed to drive past your destination just because it is in regen?)




I wonder how MB has made it seamless for two generations of engines now?
Are we just blissfully unaware, or do our diesels really require less attention to DPF regen cycles?



