4.0d e70 dpf regeneration criteria?

[Huxsta]

Having recently acquired the above model, I cant find anything on the cars parameters that need to be fulfilled for the process to complete. My last car (x3) needed 2000 rpm and a run etc, but because of the nature of the X5 8 speed box and keeping my license, it doesn't rev anymore than approx 1600 rpm at around 70mph. To get "over" 2000rpm sustained for any time then I'm not doing anything like a legal speed!!!! Can anyone tell me 100% what's needed for the regeneration to happen? Surely I don't have to put it in manual to hold a lower gear to do this? Says nothing I can see in the owners manual.

[X5Sport]

What I do with mine is put it in 'Sport' mode which means at road legal speeds it's around 2,000rpm and stays in 7th.  Or drive in manual mode and use a gear that keeps the revs up.  Part of my commute is about 15 miles on a 60mph road so I just use the gears to match.  If that isn't what you need, then it's a motorway, no cameras, and hoof it!

As long as the car is fully warmed up....oil/transmission and water all at proper temps.....I then run for approx 20 mins at the higher revs, but not excessively so.  2,000 rpm works fine.

[Huxsta]

Cheers for the reply. I'm hoping it behaves itself, its my wife's car which I drive at weekends. Will have to continue the old ways then it would seem. Just thought bmw would recognize the issue that it just doesn't rev under 'normal wife & kids in car' driving. Can I ask if you bother with bp ultimate or shell v power. I used it in our old e83 x3 as it developed carbon deposits. After extensive research, I kept the eml off by using a shot of redex and either the above diesels rather than supermarket stuff. When we originally got it we used Tesco only doing the 5p of per litre tickets. A year later and confirmed light on all the time, heavy deposits in the inlet manifold, and clogged egr valve even with the car doing Italian tune ups regularly down the local A roads!

[X5Sport]

Supermarket fuels.  Only difference is tanker driver added additives.  Fuel comes from the same depots as each fuel company doesn't have its own.  It's all distributed in a common, linked UK pipeline to each depot.  Network us run by British Pipeline Agency and links refineries, import sites and fuel depots.  It's all the same stuff in the pipes.

[Pinewood]

In my old E60 which i ran for 70,000 miles without issue. The parameters were at least a 1/4 tank of diesel,  leave it in sports mode for 20 mins doing a constant 60mph +. 
I was lucky in that a drive to my in laws requires an hour on the M40 so i would have at least 1/2 tank diesel and 75-80mph.

[Huxsta]

I understand that it's the same stuff, just with added detergents depending on who's name is on the tanker. I guess it's more of the aged old question, which is better, v power or tesco with some redEx added at pump???? Is the detergent which shell or BP add any better than any shop bought similar products?
On the regen issue, while I love BMWs, it just amazes me that no mention is made on the criteria required to ensure the dpf doesn't block way earlier than they should. Maybe I was hoping that a just 5 yr old motor had made more development in the dpf area than my last 9yr old x3 !!! Hey ho.

[X5Sport]

My X6 has regen'd twice this week (300 miles of commuting) and I've not had to do anything with the gearbox to keep the revs up.  Seems happy to go at about 1,600rpm as long as the speed is constant for about 15 mins.

[stevee]

How do you know if it is/has regen? I've never noticed in 45k miles  ::)

[X5Sport]

The usual giveaway is when you pull up and switch off all the under-bonnet fans are running flat out.  This prevents the heat from the regen damaging anything.....and with the front wings being plastic you need to keep the heat down!  They should switch off within about 10 minutes.

[Huxsta]

Aaarrhhh THAT explains it!! We hadn't owned it for about 3 days when I pulled up on the drive, switched off and got out to notice what I would call the coolant over temp fan running like a jet engine. My wife said about it and was it faulty as I stood there holding the key,  how could it be possible?? That's pleased me as like I said before, I haven't driven it with any revs over 2000...... More like your grandad. However I'm now finding my feet with it, last night picked up eldest from a party, joined local A road "bloody hell dad this gets a move on" came the reply !!

[stevee]

[quote="X5Sport"]
The usual giveaway is when you pull up and switch off all the under-bonnet fans are running flat out.  This prevents the heat from the regen damaging anything.....and with the front wings being plastic you need to keep the heat down!  They should switch off within about 10 minutes.
[/quote]
Thanks .. honestly say i've never experienced this. Must do it when we do our long trips to the Alps (70+ for hours on end!)