The life of a diesel particulate filter depends very much on the driving style of the user. When a vehicle is only used for short journeys (shorter than +- 20 minutes), the DPF will have to regenerate more often, which means that it will also become clogged sooner. The EML turning on can indicate issues with the oxygen sensor, diesel particulate filter, mass airflow sensor, ignition system or a loose oil dipstick etc. How to reset the engine management light? If the engine management light comes on in your car try parking somewhere safe and restarting the engine after 2 minutes. If A Customer Asks,“What can I do to reduce the chance of this happening?” When the “Continue Driving“ message is displayed, continue driving safely at a steady speed as close to the posted speed limit as possible, until the message turns off. This can take up to 30 minutes. Drive with cruise control when possible. This should On my car I had to correct the p2015 issue before I could fix the dpf issue. If you're also getting a check engine light you need to sort that out first. In my case I sorted it with a $60 part I was easily able to install myself. And if you can afford it, get the adapter cord so you can run vcds from your diagnostic port. Diesel vehicles are required to be fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) in the exhaust system, to reduce emissions. DPF control software is incorporated into the Engine Control Module (ECM). When you drive, the particles in the exhaust gases collect in the filter. The DPF software monitors the level of trapped particles. Use Top Tier diesel fuel – Lower sulfur content makes regen easier. Drive regularly – Don’t let the vehicle sit unused for weeks. Change oil – Used oil ash can clog the DPF. Address engine issues – Injector problems, bad sensors, etc can impact regen. Consider an additive – Detergents help clean the engine and DPF. I made three (3) round trips of 2,200 miles (1.1K each way) over a 9 month period before attending to the internally cracked DPF. I did have well over month of around town driving prior to the 1st road trip & was comfortable with the car & situation. Prior to the first round trip, I made similar inquiries to yours (most were on TDI FB groups). A new DPF can cost anywhere from £1000 up to £3500. There are DPF suppliers that charge less, but make sure they have the correct Type Approval or they may not work properly and end up costing you more in repairs. How long should a DPF last? A DPF can last up to around 100,000 miles if maintained properly. This is a problem with many dpf vehicles, what has happened is that you have incomplete dpf regeneration. In other words, the dpf cycle has started, but due to the journey ending the dpf cycle did not complete. You need to carry out a 30 minute trip at 100kph/60 mph at least once per month to prevent this happening. To reduce emissions, diesel cars are fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) – something that filters and catches soot particles. Most DPFs will automatically clear as they’re used but on rare occasions, in specific circumstances, they may get blocked and require manual cleaning. In normal use, a DPF cleans or regenerates itself by YSKN.