Regenerate the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)

The glowing DPF (diesel particulate filter) light on the Transporter T6 means soot has built up because the van hasn’t run hot enough — usually from too many short trips. You can normally clear it yourself with one sustained drive, before it ever needs a dealer.

Clear the T6 DPF with a regeneration drive

1. Check you have plenty of fuel and find a clear, legal stretch of open road — a dual carriageway or motorway is ideal.
2. Hold the van in 4th gear (manual) or D (DSG) so the revs stay up and the exhaust gets hot.
3. Drive at a steady 70 km/h (43 mph) or more for about 15 minutes, keeping within the speed limit.
4. Do not switch the engine off while the light is on — the regeneration needs the engine running and up to temperature.
5. The DPF warning light goes out once the trapped soot has burned off. The filter is now clear.

If the light still will not go out after the drive, the filter is too full to self-clean and the van needs a forced regeneration with diagnostic equipment at a qualified workshop — keep driving gently and get it booked in.

Frequently asked questions

Why did the DPF light come on?

Short journeys are the usual cause: the exhaust never gets hot enough to burn off soot on its own (passive regeneration). Taking a longer run at motorway speed once a week keeps the filter clear.

The glow-plug light is flashing, or the van is in limp mode — is that still just the DPF?

Not necessarily. A flashing coil (glow-plug) light or an added engine-management (EPC) light points to a fault — often the EGR valve or a sensor — which needs diagnosis rather than a regeneration drive.

Is it safe to keep driving with the DPF light on?

For the length of the regeneration drive, yes. But the exhaust runs very hot during a regen, so do not park over dry grass or anything flammable straight afterwards, and only follow the drive when road, weather and traffic are suitable.

If a fault code is stored alongside the DPF light, you can look it up on autodtcs.com.