Ford, I hope you are reading this forum.

First I love this truck...but:

I am now sick and tired of the DPF Exhuast Cleaning notice going on at the most inopportune moment! Yet again tonight the light comes on during a 3 mile trip...after working out during my drive home...1 mile in route and the light comes on.

For the diesel engines my company designs/produces/sells the machine operator has the option to delay the DPF cleaning until an appropriate time presents itself (example, telehandler inside a building, light comes on, operator delays till outside building). The system is designed so that a window of cleaning presents itself instead of waiting until the filter delta pressure is at the design limit. Trust me, Super Duty drivers are intelligent enough to use this option, and as a default you can always trigger it automatically.

I am now convinced I have two options:
1. Ford can develop a reflash that enables this option and still meets EPA requirements (add the 5 flash turn signal, better engine screens with oil pressure, exhaust temp and the other things FTE members desire - hell, I'd pay for this reflash)

2. I start saving $200/month and buy a programmer and DPF delete kit next March! (and while at it I block the EGR and advance the timing to get better fuel mileage)

Just had to let this frustration out.

Brian

 

I would like the option of manual regens too. That would help. My drive to and from work is 25 miles and when I get a regen at 15 miles in to my drive I don't have enough time/miles for it to finish usually. If I can hit the regen a few minutes after I leave the house/work I have the time/miles to complete. I work with machines that have the selectable regens too - the only message that you can't ignore is "park until clean". That having been said - you would have to be an idiot (maybe spelled in caps IDIOT) to get to that point Anyone that runs a machine in its proper environment can find an opportune moment to get a regen in.

 

I think the system works just fine never had a problem, don't fix what ain't broke, if your driving your truck to and from working out, perhaps you are what the industry terms as a soccer dad, and might be better off with a tacoma or an ecoboost f150, way too many folks drive diesel trucks and truely do not need them.

 

My CTS is showing my average distance between regens is almost 300 miles. thats a lot of trips between gym and home. Only once have I seen the Drive to Clean message, Most of my DPF is passive. so it's just not a big deal for me.

 

I like your first suggestion on future flash upgrades for the truck. I do not see any personal benefit for me by modifying the exhaust system. This truck has been a pleasure to own and drive compared to my experiences with the 6.0. I think it is well engineered and balanced.

 

When this first came about I sent an idea in the Ford for the option of a manual regen followed by the computer initiated one if the operator failed to do so.

I had suggested a window for the operator to choose this.

I also did an online chat with Chris Brewer about the same issue.

We see where all that went.

 

Brian,

I am with you 100%. If these trucks can give you countdown to tell you when you need to change your oil or run out of DEF, then a simple - "DPF cleaning to begin in XXX miles - so you want to initiate now?" I think then customers can decide to initiate early or just wait. Not every trip in these trucks are 100 miles long or with a 12000 lb gooseneck trailer. There are times when you should be able to use the on-board computer (your brain) to manage your equipment. The truck can be programed to override supidity.

Just for the record - Brian ain't no soccer dad. Between him and his strappin boys they already exceed the load capacity of a F-150 and he knows his way around the family farm.

 

Another vote for manual regen for 2011 like the 2012 xl ant xlt have. This "soccer dad" (old farm hand that works 12 miles from home) cannot see how to tow a 14k tow hauler with a gasser 150. Until proper towing techniques are understood I will have to use the 350 dually diesel.

 

Thank the liberals for this nonsense. This whole global warming hoax is getting out of control and is down right ridiculous. Make sure and vote someone in who DOESN'T believe in global warming!!

 

I agree. How about a message that pops up stating "Regen ready" and you hit the OK button when time permits and it does its thing.

 

Senix,

Any chance of resurrecting contact with Chris about this topic?

Note: The DPF reflash could have the menu choice to keep the existing automatic regen process or option to manually accept/postpone regen until opportune time.

In response to other posts:
1. I average 700-800 miles between regens, typically takes 10 minutes for fuel economy to return indicating regen over.
2. I bought this truck to occasionally pull loads, I grew up with diesels on the farm and truly enjoy them, this is my "sedan" that I also drive to and from work, I don't recall Ford or their salesman asking if I was a "soccer dad" and steering me to a F150.
3. I'd rather get or purchase a Ford reflash to have the "regen" notice and choice to perform rather than rework my exhaust.

Brian

 

I have 9,000 miles on my F350 and I have never had a problem with the regin feature. I guess the truck just does it by itself and does not bother me. Maybe I am lucky.

ken

 

A delay regen option would be nearly perfect.
Even when I'm on the interstate for a few hundred miles, my truck usually waits until I'm back home driving to work the next day.
It's actually rare I get an active regen at a good time.
It would seem to me it would be better for all the components to regen at a more appropiate time instead of 35 MPH in the city.

My regens were less noticable the first 10,000 miles but have been more noticable over time; I'm at 20k something now.

 

before we get manual regens, I think starting with gauges that are more than just glorified idiot lights would be a start.

 

I wouldn't even classify the regen message as an idiot light. At least an idiot light stays on to let you know what is going on. The "cleaning" message comes up and leaves so quickly, I'm sure I missed a ton of them. It should stay on so that you can acknowledge it. That way, I might take a different route to give it a chance to finish.

For anyone who has worked on a farm, snowplowed or needed to sit idling for their work, the approach they have taken is not user friendly. It clearly is designed for what they considered are the "masses" -- i.e. those who tow on the highways...