"operating Tips For The Diesel Particulate Filter On 6.7 Liter Turbo Diesel

[HBarlow]

i found this on the Cummins website.


"Operating Tips For The Diesel Particulate Filter On
Cummins 6.7-Liter Turbo Diesel.
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty pickups equipped with the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel offer more horsepower and torque than ever before. They’re also the first and only diesel pickups on the market to meet 2010 EPA emissions requirements. To achieve these unprecedented levels of cleanliness, the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel incorporates a device known as a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) in the exhaust system.

What Is A DPF And How Does It Work?

The diesel particulate filter captures particulate matter that is a normal byproduct of the combustion process as it passes through the exhaust system.

As you run your Dodge Ram Turbo Diesel, sensors in the DPF measure the amount of particulate matter that is accumulating in the filter and send that data to the Electronic Control Module (ECM), the computer that controls the engine and aftertreatment.

Periodically the ECM will start a self-cleaning process called regeneration that raises temperatures in the DPF and oxidizes the particulate matter. This process is similar to the operation of a self-cleaning oven, releasing only harmless gases into the atmosphere.

Regeneration is virtually undetectable to the driver. Under normal driving conditions, no action is needed to start the process, and there is no impact on pulling power, acceleration or responsiveness of the engine.

What Do I Need To Do To Clean The DPF?

Under normal operating conditions, you don’t need to do anything. However, if you do a lot of in-city driving at lower speeds or extended idling, your engine may not be working hard enough for the self-cleaning process to take place (we’re talking about hours of idling, not just minutes). If this happens, particulate matter will accumulate within the filter. If it reaches an 80% level, you will see an alert in the information center of your truck’s overhead console. This is not dangerous, but it does tell you that the engine needs to be given a little more “exercise” which will correct the situation.

To start the self-cleaning process, all you have to do is drive your Dodge Ram at 50 mph or so for a short while. Typically, about 45 minutes is all it takes for the system to clean itself, and a message in the overhead console will tell you when the self-cleaning is completed.

Do I Need To Take Action Immediately?

It takes a number of days to go from 80% to entirely filling up the DPF, and it won’t affect performance of the engine or the DPF, so it’s not something that has to be done immediately.

However, if the DPF exceeds 99% of capacity before a regeneration takes place, you could cause permanent damage to the filter. Again, an alert in your truck’s information center will appear as you reach this threshold. Simultaneously, power and torque will be reduced so that you can drive your vehicle to an authorized Dodge dealer for service without causing irreparable harm to the filter. However, if you choose to ignore these warning signals and continue to drive for an extended period of time, the filter will be ruined and need to be replaced in order to restore full power and torque to your truck.

A Cleaner Tomorrow Starts Today.

Driving a Dodge Ram Turbo Diesel means you are doing something good for the environment by reducing emissions. Take good care of it, and it will take good care of you for years to come."

©2008 Cummins Inc., Direct Marketing, Mail Code 60610, 500 Jackson Street, Columbus, IN 47201 U.S.A.