How to Look After Your DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Your Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is a vital part of your vehicle’s emission system. It traps harmful soot particles and prevents them from being released into the atmosphere. However, like any filter, it needs looking after to keep your car running smoothly and to avoid costly repairs.

Here’s everything you need to know about keeping your DPF clean and working perfectly.

1. Drive the Vehicle Properly

DPFs are designed to self-clean through a process called regeneration. For this to happen, your car needs to reach and maintain higher temperatures.

• Take your car for longer drives: Ideally 20–30 minutes at motorway speeds (around 2,000+ RPM).
• Avoid short stop-start trips: Frequent short journeys don’t give the DPF a chance to regenerate.
• Use the right gear: Driving at low revs all the time won’t build enough heat. Occasionally drive in a lower gear at higher revs to help burn off soot.

2. Use the Right Fuel and Oil

• Low-ash engine oil: Always use oil that meets your vehicle’s specification (usually “low-SAPS” oil). Using the wrong oil can block the filter quicker.
• Good quality diesel: Cheap or poor-quality fuel can increase soot buildup. Branded fuels or those with detergents help keep the system cleaner.
• Fuel additives: Occasionally using a DPF cleaning additive can assist with regeneration and keep soot levels lower.

3. Keep the Engine Healthy

Problems elsewhere can quickly clog the DPF. Watch out for:

• Faulty sensors (EGR, MAP, temperature, or pressure sensors).
• Leaking injectors or poor fuel spray patterns.
• Turbocharger issues causing excess soot.
• EGR valves sticking which feed too much exhaust gas back in.

A well-maintained engine means a longer-lasting DPF.

4. Don’t Ignore Warning Lights

If your DPF warning light comes on:

1. Don’t ignore it. Carrying on as normal can cause permanent blockage.
2. Take the car for a regeneration drive (as described above).
3. If the light doesn’t clear, seek professional cleaning before it turns into an expensive replacement.

5. Professional Cleaning and Maintenance

Even with good habits, soot and ash will build up over time. A professional DPF clean can restore your filter back to nearly-new efficiency and avoid the huge cost of replacement.

At GC Tuning, we offer:

• On-car chemical cleans.
• Manual/advanced DPF cleaning.
• Full diagnostics to pinpoint the cause of blockages.

6. Quick Tips for DPF Longevity

✅ Regular long drives at proper revs.
✅ Stick to high-quality fuel and low-ash oil.
✅ Keep up with servicing and diagnostics.
✅ Act fast if a warning light appears.
✅ Book periodic DPF cleans as part of your maintenance.

Why Look After Your DPF?

• Prevents expensive replacements (a new DPF can cost £1,000+).
• Keeps your vehicle running at peak performance.
• Reduces breakdowns and limp mode.
• Helps the environment by cutting emissions.
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DPF Additive (Wynn’s Recommended)

To help prevent DPF blockages and support cleaner regenerations, we recommend using Wynn’s DPF Cleaner regularly — especially if you do short journeys or town driving.

Using a quality additive keeps soot levels down, protects the system, and helps your DPF regenerate properly with less risk of warning lights.

👉 Our recommended additive:
Wynn’s Diesel Particulate Filter Cleaner
Buy here: https://www.wynns.uk.com/product/diesel-particulate-filter-cleaner/

📞 Need a DPF clean or diagnostic check?

Call us on 07308537786 or Whatsapp

AdBlue Systems — What You Need to Know & How to Look After Them

Modern diesel vehicles use AdBlue (SCR systems) to reduce harmful emissions and meet Euro emissions standards. When everything is working correctly, the system runs in the background with no impact on performance — but poor maintenance, contamination or running low can quickly lead to dashboard warnings, limp mode, countdown-to-no-start messages, and costly repair bills.

Taking simple steps to look after your AdBlue system will save money and reduce the risk of expensive faults.

✅ How to Maintain Your AdBlue System

1. Keep the Tank Topped Up
Don’t wait for the countdown or warning light. Keeping AdBlue levels between half and full helps the pump stay cool and reduces the risk of crystallisation. Running near empty can cause the pump to run dry and fail.

2. Use Quality AdBlue Only
Always use certified AdBlue (ISO 22241). Cheap or contaminated fluids can cause crystal build-up, injector blockages and sensor faults.

3. Don’t Overfill or Spill
Spilled AdBlue can crystallise around the filler neck and contaminate the system. If you spill any, wipe it clean straight away.

4. Avoid Long Periods of Low Mileage
Short trips mean the system never gets to complete its normal cycle, increasing the chance of blockages and faults. Regular longer drives help keep the system flowing as intended.

✅ Why AdBlue Additives Help

Using a quality AdBlue additive can:

• Prevent crystallisation in the injector and pump
• Improve fluid stability
• Protect sensors and dosing equipment
• Extend component lifespan
• Reduce the risk of blocked AdBlue injectors

We recommend using an additive every 3–6 months, or sooner if you cover a lot of short-stop mileage.

✅ Common AdBlue System Problems

Drivers often experience:

• “No-start countdown” messages
• Crystallised injectors or blocked pipes
• Faulty AdBlue level sensors
• Pump failures
• Warning lights that keep returning after resets

These issues can become very costly if ignored — which is why upkeep and prevention are key.

✅ How We Can Help

At GC Tuning, we offer:

✔ AdBlue diagnosis
✔ Additive solutions
✔ AdBlue system maintenance
✔ Software solutions if required

Whether you want to protect your system or resolve ongoing warning lights, we can guide you to the best option for your vehicle.

✅ Top Additives & Products Worth Noting

• Wynn’s Crystal Clean & Protect (AdBlue Additive) — Specifically designed for preventing crystallisation in SCR/AdBlue systems. Wynn's UK
• JLM AdBlue Plus 250 ml — A treatment that both cleans and conditions the AdBlue fluid and prevents crystal formation in the dosing system. Fivestar Automotive
• Kent Urea Anti-Crystal Additive — Focused on dissolving/preventing urea crystals in tanks/injectors. andrewsymons.co.uk
• Redex AdBlue fluid (ISO 22241 compliant) — While not an “additive” in the strict sense, using a high-quality AdBlue meets the standard and helps avoid issues. Redex
• TotalEnergies CLEARNOX AdBlue Fuel Additive — A premium preventive product for SCR systems to stop crystallisation and support performance. TotalEnergies in the United Kingdom
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📌 Quick Tips Summary

TipBenefitKeep AdBlue topped upPrevents pump damageUse certified fluidReduces crystal build-upAdd an AdBlue additiveProtects injectors & sensorsAvoid only driving short tripsKeeps system cycling normally

Call us on 07308537786 or Whatsapp