The particle filter is a fairly new invention that is designed to remove harmful particles from the exhaust gases of latest diesels. It has long been seen as the miracle solution to these pollution problems. Nevertheless, it doesn’t work as well as intended and causes more problems than it solves, which is why we will discover today when changing the particulate filter of a Ford Flex? . To achieve this, first of all, we will find out what the particle filter on your car is utilized for, and then when to replace the particle filter on your Ford Flex.

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What’s the purpose of a Ford Flex’s particulate filter?

So we start our guideline with the reason to do this element recently included into diesel vehicles. As we outlined briefly in the introduction, the purpose of this filter was to solve the problems of pollution and harmfulness of exhaust gases from Ford Flex vehicles. Its working principle is to store exhaust gases that are unburned or that still contain harmful particles, and when it is at a sufficiently high temperature to bring about a second combustion that will finish burning and eliminate all these carcinogenic particles. Regrettably, to reach this very high engine temperature, you have to be on the highway or have your Ford Flex engine revving up. So we have noticed with time that cars that are specifically on short trips or in the city do not allow the particulate filter to burn these gases and we will discover in the next part that these problems can force you to replace the particulate filter of your Ford Flex .

When to replace the particulate filter of a Ford Flex?

In this section we will find out what you are clearly drawn to here, whether it is required to replace the particulate filter of a Ford Flex and if so, when?

Is it required to replace the particulate filter on Ford Flex?

There are 2 sort of particulate filter for cars, a particulate filter with additive, which does not matter the Ford Flex, but which needs to be recharged every 120, 000km with an additive that allows the regeneration of the particulate filter and therefore to burn all those harmful soot. The second one, the one we are interested in in this article, functions with precious metals that will produce a chemical reaction at high temperature and bring about the regeneration of the filter and the evacuation of the carcinogenic materials. Nevertheless, as described earlier, it requires very high temperatures, if these are not reached the filter will clog. If the filter is not regenerated manually, drive at high speed for about 20 minutes to reach this temperature and thus regenerate your filter, you will clog it and risk damaging your turbo, your EGR valve or your engine. If you need to clean the EGR valve of your Ford Flex due to your particulate filter, do not think twice to check out our article on this subject to find out what the procedure is.

When to replace the particulate filter of a Ford Flex?

As we revealed just before, a particulate filter is supposed to last the life of the vehicle, nevertheless some of you might wonder when it is required to replace the particulate filter of its Ford Flex? Take note that this component is extremely expensive, labor is not the main problem because it is easy to access. But the part itself will vary enormously in price depending on your motorization, you can still count a range between 700 and 2000€. This replace should only be considered in the circumstance of a completely clogged particle filter. If you don’t repeatedly take the motorway, we advise you, every month to drive 10 minutes on the motorway at least 3000 rpm . In spite of everything, the current particulate filter have not been well designed and remain problematic, it is considered that due to the lack of a sufficiently frequent temperature rise and other design problems, you should start planning to replace your particulate filter from 200, 000km if you have a use of your XX that is more urban and a little more if it is mixed .

If you need more tutorials on the Ford Flex, go to our Ford Flex category.