The particle filter is a quite recent invention that aims to remove harmful particles from the exhaust gases of modern diesels. It has long been seen as the miracle solution to these pollution problems. Nevertheless, it doesn’t work as well as intended and triggers more problems than it handles, which is why we will find out in this article when changing the particulate filter of a Opel Astra 5? . To achieve this, to begin with, we will find out what the particle filter on your motor vehicle is intended for, and then when to change the particle filter on your Opel Astra 5.
What’s the point of a Opel Astra 5’s particulate filter?
So we start our guideline with the explanation to do this component not too long ago integrated into diesel vehicles. As we mentioned quickly in the introduction, the goal of this filter was to solve the problems of pollution and harmfulness of exhaust fumes from Opel Astra 5 vehicles. Its functioning concept is to store exhaust fumes that are unburned or that still contain harmful particles, and when it is at a sufficiently high temperature to trigger a second combustion that will finish burning and get rid of all these carcinogenic particles. Sadly, to reach this very high engine unit temperature, you have to be on the highway or have your Opel Astra 5 engine unit revving up. So we have noticed as time passes that vehicles that are specifically on short trips or in the city do not enable the particulate filter to burn these fumes and we will discover in the next section that these problems can force you to change the particulate filter of your Opel Astra 5 .
When to change the particulate filter of a Opel Astra 5?
In this section we will find out what you are clearly attracted to here, if it is necessary to change the particulate filter of a Opel Astra 5 and if so, when?
Is it necessary to change the particulate filter on Opel Astra 5?
There are 2 types of particulate filter for vehicles, a particulate filter with additive, which does not concern the Opel Astra 5, 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, works with precious metals that will generate a chemical reaction at high temperature and trigger the regeneration of the filter and the evacuation of the carcinogenic materials. Nevertheless, as mentioned above, it necessitates 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 unit. If you need to clean the EGR valve of your Opel Astra 5 due to your particulate filter, do not think twice to check out our content on this subject to find out what the procedure is.
When to change the particulate filter of a Opel Astra 5?
As we described just before, a particulate filter is designed to last the life of the vehicle, however some of you may possibly wonder when it is necessary to change the particulate filter of its Opel Astra 5? Take note that this part is extremely expensive, labor is not the most important issue because it is easy to access. But the part itself will vary enormously in price based on your motorization, you can still count a range between 700 and 2000€. This change should just be considered in the case of a completely clogged particle filter. If you don’t regularly take the motorway, we suggest 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 regular temperature rise and other design problems, you should start planning to change 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 want more guides on the Opel Astra 5, go to our Opel Astra 5 category.
