If you own a 2007-2009 Chevy Kodiak, GMC TopKick or 2007-2010 Chevy Express, GMC Savanna Van or Sierra pickup with a Duramax diesel engine you may see a "Clean Exhaust Filter See Owner's Manual Now" message on the instrument panel. The message is alerting you to clean the diesel particulate filter or DPF.
At first you may think the message requires a trip to a dealership or local independent shop to have the filter replaced or cleaned, but hold your horses. To clean the filter requires a procedure outlined in your owner's guide. Basically, you need to take a non-stop drive at more than 30 mph for 20 to 30 minutes. If you ignore the message and don't follow the outlined procedure the check engine light will turn on and a chime will sound. When it does, a trip to a dealer or your favorite shop is required to determine why the check engine light illuminated which is likely due to a dirty DPF. At this juncture the filter can't be cleaned. It only can be replaced. And if it is determined that you neglected to clean the filter following the procedure in your owner's guide, the task and cost of the filter may not be covered under an emissions warranty and you will pick up the tab.
To avoid the replacement and labor cost, follow the procedure in your owner's guide. Then bank the savings or buy your special person dinner and a movie.
No comments:
Post a Comment