Soot level

[pcdee]

What should the soot and ash levels be for the DPF to re-gen?

Thanks

[X5Sport]

Pass.  It's done automatically and may be via a back pressure sensor.  You do need to drive the car for at least 20 minutes at >40mph after it has warmed up to get a regen to happen though.  Keeping the car in a lower gear to force the rpm up will also help.

[mark hamster 28]

Question to X5 Sport... My drive to work generally takes 20 - 25 mins! So will my car do a regen or would one just be starting and not finish in time ??

[X5Sport]

If the speed is high enough and not stop-start your regen cycles will be further apart.  If you get home and the fans under the bonnet keep running for about 10-15 mins after switch off then a regen cycle is in progress.

My X6 does it occasionally on a run of the same length.

It's the low speed/stop-start traffic that kills the DPF because a regen never happens due to the temp never get high enough for long enough.

If you are worried, you can always ask you dealer to trigger a 'forced' regen.  It can be done by them setting a code flag in the car's systems which then forces the system the next time the engine runs.  You still need to take it for a run though.

[mark hamster 28]

[quote="X5Sport"]
If the speed is high enough and not stop-start your regen cycles will be further apart.  If you get home and the fans under the bonnet keep running for about 10-15 mins after switch off then a regen cycle is in progress.

My X6 does it occasionally on a run of the same length.

It's the low speed/stop-start traffic that kills the DPF because a regen never happens due to the temp never get high enough for long enough.

If you are worried, you can always ask you dealer to trigger a 'forced' regen.  It can be done by them setting a code flag in the car's systems which then forces the system the next time the engine runs.  You still need to take it for a run though.
[/quote]

Thanks X5. Normally i only stop a few times at traffic lights so hopefully this is enough. Its going on a good trip in a few weeks, Nottingham - Cromer, so this i guess will give it a good clean out. Had car nearly a year and had no issues with it but its in BMW Derby in a few weeks for MOT and anything that needs doing to it for warranty and service plan, so if it was getting clogged up a little, would they pick up on this ?

Also, whats your thoughts on an additive for it ? My mate who works in a garage has gave me some Forte DPF cleaner and regenerate, whats your thoughts on this ? would you put it in tank when im going on this good run or in tank now when pottering around OR avoid at all costs ?   

Thanks for your advice which i do act on as you do no your Beamers well 

[X5Sport]

The only additive I have ever used is the BMW one.  Part number is 83 19 2 296 922 BMW Group Diesel Additive.  One bottle is about £10 and you use one per tank.

I use it in our E46 as is it a low annual mileage and was stored for three years - and will be again later this year all being well.

[AVI-8]

I can't help but think that the system of re-gen is flawed, with such a computer system which modern cars have you  would think there would be a warning of the fact that the car needs one, and would give you the option of choosing when to do it so that you can get the temp up on long run in order for it to be done successfully, the idea of the regen starting just as you pull into the driveway because you had no idea it was happening seems wrong.
I'm pleased my E53 doesn't have a DPf, the downside is the high road tax ...

[X5Sport]

I agree, but that means BMW - or any other manufacturer - actually coding the information into one of the displays.  Given the sensitivity of BMWs to battery voltage, it certainly worried me that the fans (850W) in my case are running for 10/15 mins after switch off.  I have not yet had starting trouble but it could happen.

They've already removed the temperature, oil pressure, charge state gauges so they don't want drivers to know what their cars are actually doing...... 

No doubt some EU committee decided it had to be automated and that was that.

We're only allowed (for now) to drive them!