The Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO) in the UK has issued new advice to all its members over diesel particulate filters.
From research ACFO is warning fleets to ensure that only employees “whose normal driving will allow them regular opportunity to drive at 50mph or more, for 20 minutes or so” have cars with diesel particulate filters.
This advice has been issued to fleets as many soot traps in cars are being clogged up because they are being used too much in towns.
If a soot trap becomes clogged it could damage the engine and fleets will face large bills.
How do soot traps work?
Soot traps self-clean by burning at high temperatures, the particulates generated from diesel engines then create ash. In some cars the higher temperatures are only generated at higher speeds typically seen in motorway driving.
So, ACFO’s advice is if you have drivers who are driving cars with diesel particulate filters then make sure they build in at least 20 minutes of motorway driving where they are driving at over 50mph so that the high temperatures can clean the trap.
Simon McBride
