Cleaning is never more satisfying than when it is done with the right cleaning equipment. At DPF Parts Direct, our extensive range of cleaning equipment offers our customers turnkey package solutions. No matter what your budget or unit, the right cleaning equipment is guaranteed to enhance your outcome. When your equipment is clean, your operating systems are going to run without a hitch, and that is why cleaning with the right kind of equipment is essential for optimal results.
What Is A DPF?
DPF is the abbreviation for diesel particulate filters. This was installed in vehicles and equipment to minimize the emissions by working to get rid of ash and soot. Anything that uses diesel from 2006 onward would have a diesel particulate filter as a standard installation. DFP’s act as temporary filters to minimize your engine’s pollution.
However, ash and soot will still build up over time and they must be removed with the right cleaning equipment. In extreme cases, a professional cleaning technician or a mechanic might be required, but if you look after your equipment right from the start, you can usually avoid the need for an expensive repair.
Why You Should Clean Your DPF
Your DPF cleaning equipment may have been made to clean, but even the cleaning equipment needs a good clean every now and then too. There are several benefits to be gained from keeping your cleaning equipment as clean as a whistle. For one thing, when your engine performance is going to be at its optimal level when your DPF is clean. This only means that you are going to get more bang for your buck when it comes to fuel savings because of the improved engine performance. 
A clean DPF system is only going to prolong the life of your filter. Replacement filters can be a surprisingly costly affair, sometimes going up to as much as $8,000 in terms of cost. Another thing that a clean DPF system will do for your vehicle of equipment minimizes the downtime you experience. When your vehicle or equipment requires less time to regenerate, you save on fuel because less energy is required for your engines to run efficiently.
If you believe that you’re experiencing frequent regeneration periods, your fuel is not as efficient as it should be, or that you are losing engine power, these could be signs that your DPF is in need of a good cleaning.
How to Keep Your DPF Clean
A DPF only needs a good clean with professional-grade equipment when it has reached a certain state. Other times, there are things you can do to keep your DPF clean for as long as possible before heavier and more extensive cleaning sessions are needed. Here are some suggestions to keep your DPF cleaner for longer:
- Pick the Right Kind of Engine Oil – The engine oil that you pick for your vehicle is a crucial decision. Picking the right kind of engine oil is like picking what food you put in your body. You only want the good stuff so your body stays strong and healthy, right? Well, the same goes for your engine oil. Put in the good stuff and your engine and DPF is going to stay healthier and perform better for much longer. The aim is to ensure that your vehicle is going to produce as little diesel particulate matter as it possibly can. Most manufacturers would recommend that you go with engine oil that is specifically made to produce low sulfate ash. Where possible, you should always follow the recommended engine oil that has been approved by the vehicle’s manufacturer.
- Driving Faster – We’re not saying that you should break the speed limit, but if you happen to have some wiggle room in terms of speed limits and the road is free and clear, driving faster every now and then is a good thing for your DPF. Regeneration takes place in your DPF only under certain conditions, such as your engine temperature or your RPM. Only when those conditions are met does your DPF begin the regeneration process. Before you hit the pedal to the metal though, do a little research into your vehicle’s model and determine what your ideal RPM rate should be. Once you have those details, you can begin trying to figure out what speed you should be driving at to trigger your DPF’s regeneration process. This should keep your filter cleaner for longer when it has a chance to undergo the regeneration process regularly.
- Check Your Valves Regularly – How often do you get your engine’s valves checked? If your answer is hardly ever, then it’s time to start checking your valves regularly if you want your DPF to stay as clean as possible. Your engine’s valves can become blocked over time and when they are clogged with soot and carbon, this is going to increase the particulates. When this happens, the soot and carbon that should be filtered are going to get sucked back into the engine and cause problems to your DPF system. Keep checking your engine’s valves as regularly as you can before any costly repairs take place, especially if you have experienced some sort of DPF problem in the past. Leaving the problem until it’s too late could lead to an even bigger car repair that you don’t need.
- Take A Drive Outside of Town – It’s hard to experience a smooth ride in an urban setting. Did you know that a lot of DPF issues are partly due to the way we drive? The start and stop style of driving that happens a lot in urban areas is not a good thing for your car. With the slower speeds and shorter distances you travel, it can be almost impossible for DPF regeneration to take place. When you’ve got the time, aim to take a drive out of town every now and then. The long-distance drive can be a good thing for your car, especially if you hit the open highway. Coasting down the highway or freeway is just what the doctor ordered for your car to give it a chance to regenerate properly and keep your DPF healthy.
For our selection of DPF cleaning equipment, cleaning systems, and replacement parts, visit https://www.dpfpartsdirect.com/collections/cleaning-equipment
