Tuesday 25 October 2011

BBC Watchdog Highlights Diesel Particulate Filter Issue

Last week, investigation series Watchdog picked up on a motor problem that city drivers with diesel vehicles are encountering as a result of stop/start driving.

Presenter, Chris Hollins, explained how city cars are the perfect solution for urban drivers, but how diesel engines can struggle with short distance driving as the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) can become blocked with soot. 

The DPF is a part in the exhaust which traps soot and reduces emissions. The part usually cleans itself when the engine runs at high speeds - a process called regeneration, but if the vehicle has not been run at a high speed for a while, a warning light may appear to indicate that the filter is becoming blocked. 

It must then be cleared by driving the car at high revs for a sustained period of time. Watchdog highlighted how this can easily be done on the open road but is much more difficult to do around town.
Watchdog reported that they had received over 200 complaints from consumers about problems with Diesel Particulate Filters from a range of manufacturers. The programme continued to outline that many of these drivers had to fork out hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of pounds for mechanics to rectify the problem. 
The Good Garage Scheme's member garages can help with a treatment for a blocked Diesel Particulate Filter that aims to combat the adverse affects of stop/start driving on diesel vehicles. 
Angelo Chillari, Administrator of the Good Garage Scheme, said: “The fact that Watchdog has outlined this problem shows how common it actually is. Our member garages can offer a treatment that has been developed to economically benefit the consumer, as complete replacement of the filter is costly and can also prove to be a recurring problem.”

If you are having any problems with your diesel particulate filter, contact your nearest Good Garage Scheme member for further advice http://www.goodgaragescheme.co.uk/home


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