DPF and white smoke

[404pug]

Reply from Toyota Guest Experience today.

We wish to confirm that the automatic regeneration process is still active and will still occur on your vehicle and the manual burn switch is there as a preventative measure so drivers can carry out the regeneration process themselves rather than returning to a Toyota Dealership.

For further clarification or technical enquiries regarding your vehicle, we recommend contacting your local Toyota Dealership as the Guest Experience Centre are not technically trained and rely on the expertise of our Toyota Trained Technicians located within our Toyota Dealer Network

So logic and common sense prevails! I hope it all works and that they have finally solved the problems.

[cuda]

Ok so Ive had the update done about 3 months ago. I noticed a burn that took quiet awhile to complete which I thought was unusual considering the 2018 model I had was having burns only take 10 mins max. This burn took about 30 mins to complete and I was travelling mostly at 70km/h. What seems to be happening now is a burn starts at only 170km. They are only taking a short time to complete of approximately 10mins but I have had 3 in a row at only roughly 170km. What I have noted is that if I accelerate hard the percentage full increases rapidly ie starts at 4% and then next value is 16%. I'm starting to think my DPF is starting to fail and I've only done 22,000km. Hopefully there is no issue with it and its some sort of program/km based increase in burn which will go back to normal after a specific time. I'll contact Toyota to find out more.

[Faulco]

404pug, thanks for your feedback. I’d be very grateful to hear how you go with the new switch after you put some kms on it. Cheers

[404pug]

Ah RPP. Just the man to ask the questions above. I will be interested in what your dealer has to say. I suspect most of them know SFA.

[RPP]

My vehicle is going in on Monday for the manual switch install.

According to the new 'DPF Information Booklet' To be able to use the switch when I need to (ie before a long trip over tinder dry grass) I will need to use 'Custom Mode' as opposed to the default manufacturer setting! - whatever they are?

I'll be making some enquiries about this new wrinkle.

After my ECU update a couple of weeks back I also got a sticker with some numbers on it on the driver side door jamb.

[404pug]

WTF. I just noticed that they affixed a sticker to the door to the effect that if the light turns on or flashes to park the vehicle and activate the switch and let it do its thing for 30 mins. Surely the switch being fitted doesn't turn the automatic regenerations off and change the whole system into a full manual that you have to stop and idle for 30 mins every 260- 300 km.WTF again?

[404pug]

I just read the manual that Leadwings posted and it does indeed seem that the advice I was given was total rubbish. Pages 4-10 worth printing if you don't have the manual. It clearly says that the manual mode is a supplement to auto mode for particular circumstances.

[JohnLynn]

Wow I will be watching this one closely for replies, my opinion is as a layman and customer without much specialist knowledge is that it is total and utter bollocks. If it were manual how would the driver know when the soot in the DPF needed burning out? unless of course 2019 models have back pressure readouts, soot % and similar, but then to expect the driver to monitor and press the button at the right time seems fanciful to say the least.

[404pug]

I had the switch installed today on my 2016. When I asked if any handbooks/paperwork came with it the dealer said no. His information is that once the switch is installed it becomes totally manual ie. auto regeneration no longer occurs and the driver MUST activate the switch. Is this information correct or is it rubbish? If it is correct does this mean all 2019 models are manual regeneration only? Confusion reigns.

[JohnLynn]

You are not the only one to not have the so called custom mode not working. My Prado did three regens which I recorded on torque and techstream, and I didn't notice anything on the vehicle display at all. I haven't told the dealer yet as the car is now on axle stands again for about 6 months while I am back in the UK.
To read that dealers are having issues enabling this mode makes an old cynic like me feel a bit better as I had thought that if they cant do this properly what chance is there that something like the oil or filter wasn't changed either.

[Faulco]

Back to the dealer and now have "custom mode" working. Two regens since, approx 300km between and 20-25km to complete. I have to say it gives me a bit more confidence now that I know what's going on. When I was at the dealership they did say that they were having issues activating "custom mode" in 4WDs (i know they're all 4WDs, their words) with after market accessories that put a parasitic drain on the battery. So I guess I wasn't the only one to have "custom mode" not work on the first attempt. Now I just have to wait and see if I get lucky in the DPF switch lottery.

[bing10]

At last. The update was done weeks ago and an application made for a switch. Mr. T has approved and it will be fitted on Friday. With luck it will never be used but just like a second spare wheel in remote areas it will provide another level of reassurance.
As an aside, has anyone noticed that the engine seems a little smoother post latest update?

yes ,i agree, smoother post reflash.

[404pug]

At last. The update was done weeks ago and an application made for a switch. Mr. T has approved and it will be fitted on Friday. With luck it will never be used but just like a second spare wheel in remote areas it will provide another level of reassurance.
As an aside, has anyone noticed that the engine seems a little smoother post latest update?

[LeadWings]

Just got sent a new DPF info sheet by the dealer

http://static.toyotamanuals.com.au.s...=1553648254971

[bing10]

thanks vxowner18 . reading the letter with the recall, leaves me with the impression the RPM will wind up to 1200RPM and the "regen in progress" message will stay on during a burn. obviously I was wrong...... or I cant read

I finally got the message to display. I returned to my toyota service centre. I said I could' t get the message to display.
They asked if I had custom mode engaged - " Yes". They then said I only done 900km since forced regen and reflash of software, I need to do more k's before auto regen activates.
Really???
I did point out the recall letter states regen occurs every 200- 300km.
After a discussion with his "software specialist", another reflash and forced regen, he admitted the custom mode was not engaged despite statement on my written job sheet from the 1st reflash.
Following another 318km, the message displayed.
I must say, the revised software is good. After 3 regens I was aware of, no smoke and little odour.
Each regen took only 4-5 km of city driving.
280 - 318 km between regens.
Engine speed goes from 800 ( A/C on } 650 ( a/c off) to 950RPM during regen.

Re Gurilla's experience, if you are not watching your tacho and do not have a message displayed, you would not notice a regen is taking place especially during steady driving. Its a very seemless process .

At last my prado is no longer a 2 stoke lawnmower.