Diesel Particulate Filter

[Mickey]

Can someone please enlighten me as to how the DPF works? I have a ML350 CDI 2010 model. How long a trip does it take for the DPF to do its job and burn its contents off? The manual says to do a trip of at least 20 minutes at 80kph or more once a month if your trips are mainly short ones. What is short? How can I tell if the filter is cleaning itself?

[Ivanerrol]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGbpA1Lo6uI

Direct injection cars can suffer death by soot contamination - either through the injectors or by build up of soot in the upper cylinder.
WMB's have been known to suffer complete valve clogging in as little as 80,000km's.

Diesel Mercedes (and in fact many Euro's) have had injector failures between 2009 and 2015. (there was a recall over this overseas - but not in Australia).
In Europe where much slow city driving is done the problem is especially pronounced.

You maybe interested to know that diesel vehicles - other than emergency or permit use will be banned in Paris from 2020 because of the dramatic increase in Nitrous oxide levels caused by diesel engines. Other European cities will follow up on this ban. London is also considering the ban.

[Mickey]

Thank you. That seems to support the owner's manual. I haven't had a problem in 2 years so I must be doing something right.