I've had my TDI for a year and a half. DPF Light is on now for the 5th time. Still under warranty but Nox catalyst has been replaced twice, and forced regen cleared it twice.
I want to be able to force regens on my own so I can clear the filter before the light goes on, and force regen on my time , instead of the regen process starting as soon as I park the car after my drive.
I have zero experience mechanically, but VCDS looks pretty straight forward. Is it worth buying so that I can manage the soot levels on my own, or should I just pursue getting rid of the vehicle? At this point I see these being my only two options, as a delete is illegal in my state.
Hi there!
I have had my 2009 jetta tdi for almost 2 years.
There are a few things i will point out as far as my experience and based upon the time laps for your dpf light.
Every time i start my car the dpf light will come on. After 2 minutes of driving it will disappear. There are times i would say about once a month the light will stay on, the intercooler fans will kick in and i will hear the turbo for about 30 minutes with dpf light on. Which tells me its regenning.
The fact that you stated the light is on for the 5th time, and only having the car a year and a half. That appears to be normal operation to me. I wouldn't panic about the light being on the 5th time, your car is indicating that the filter is full and needs to be cleaned on a routine rolling regen. (regen while you drive)
**** AS VOLKSWAGEN INSTRUCTIONS STATE ******
When the light is on, the car will initiate a regen when engines is warmed up to operating temperature.
Your goal is to keep the rpm's higher than 1,500 and not higher than 3,000. Anywhere between 2,200 to 2,500 during the regen process.
If your doing highway for 20 minutes and the dpf light appears, put the car in semi auto mode, and drive in 5th gear (if your driving a 6speed automatic.) ride it in 5th on the highway doing about 60 to 65mph (if legal to drive speed) till you get to where you need to go. You can also finish a proper regen doing city driving if you keep the rpms in the respected ranges (2,200 to 2,500).
*** IMPORTANT ****
Forcing regens will shorten the lifespan of the DPF filter,
wanting to do a forced regen anytime you want using VCDS will not only hurt the DPF filter but overcook it. Which will have you end up buying a new dpf filter.
2nd, you have to understand that a 2012 tdi will not use any def fluid, or (adblue system). Doing a forced regen on VDCS will definitely bake your dpf filter if your doing this often.
I do not recommend constant forced regens with VCDS from my experience as a semi truck driver and operating diesel vehicles with emissions equipment installed on them.
The reason,
Most mechanics I see that work for Peterbilt always have 1 resolution to every problem. (Were going to do a forced regen),
6 forced regens ago and 2 months later, (oh you need a new DPF filter, this one is plugged up and way to bad for us to send off to get baked and cleaned out.) Now its ($9900) for a new filter.
You say you have 0 experience mechanically. (Dont get yourself in hot water that you shouldn't be in, because you just may tear your car up using VCDS)
I encourage you to take a look at this video, Which is from the Volkswagen Ireland channel on youtube. The man in video explains the same process as I have instructed in this thread on how to manage your cars regen when the light comes on. And also explains a little bit of key information on how the DPF Filter works.
