Ford F-350 (2017 year). Manual — part 49

The regeneration process operates more
efficiently when you drive your vehicle at
a constant speed above 30 mph
(48 km/h) and at a steady engine speed
for approximately 20 minutes. The
frequency and duration of regeneration
fluctuates by how you drive your vehicle,
outside air temperature and altitude. For
most driving, regeneration frequency varies
from 100–500 mi (160–805 km) between
occurrences and each occurrence lasts
9–35 minutes. You can usually reduce the
duration of regeneration if you maintain a
constant speed above 30 mph (48 km/h).

When the engine control module detects
that the diesel particulate filter is nearly
full of particulates and you are not
operating your vehicle in a manner to allow
effective automatic regeneration,
messages appear in the information
display as a reminder for you to drive your
vehicle in order to clean the diesel
particulate filter. If you drive your vehicle
in a manner to allow effective automatic
regeneration, the information display
shows a cleaning exhaust filter message,
which is the normal regeneration process.
You can also choose operator commanded
regeneration to clean the exhaust system
at this point. See Information Messages
(page 128).

If you are not able to drive in a manner that
allows effective automatic active
regeneration or you choose to perform
regeneration of the diesel particulate filter
while at idle, then operator commanded
regeneration would need to be performed.

Operator Commanded Regeneration
(If Equipped)

If your vehicle is operated with significant
stationary operation, low speed drive
cycles less than 25 mph (40 km/h), short
drive cycles, a drive time is less than 10 -
15 minutes or the vehicle does not fully
warm up, passive and active regeneration
may not sufficiently clean the diesel

particulate filter system. Operator
commanded regeneration allows you to
manually start regeneration of the diesel
particulate filter at idle to clean the filter.
If you are not sure whether your vehicle has
this feature, contact an authorized dealer.

When to Carry Out Operator Commanded
Regeneration

You can use the operator commanded
regeneration feature when a message
appears in the information display and you
are not able to drive in a manner that
allows effective automatic active
regeneration or if you choose to manually
start the regeneration of the diesel
particulate filter manually while the vehicle
is idle. See Information Messages (page
128).

Operator Commanded Regeneration
Precautions and Safe Exhaust Position

WARNING

Failure to comply with the following
instructions for Operator
Commanded Regeneration may

result in fire, serious injury, death or
property damage.

Make sure that the louvers located at the
tip of the exhaust are clear of any
obstructions as they are used to introduce
fresh air into the tailpipe to cool the
exhaust gases as they leave the exhaust
system.

Before you start operator commanded
regeneration, do the following:
•

Shift into park (P) and apply the
parking brake on stable, level ground.

•

Park your vehicle outside of any
structure.

•

Park your vehicle 10–15 ft (3–5 m)
away from any obstructions and away
from materials that can easily combust
or melt, for example paper, leaves,
petroleum products, fuels, plastics and
other dry organic material.

•

Make sure there is a minimum of 1/8
tank of fuel.

•

Make sure all fluids are at proper levels.

How to Start Operator Commanded
Regeneration

WARNING

Stay clear of the exhaust tailpipe
during regeneration. Hot exhaust
gases can burn you badly.

Note: You cannot use the operator
commanded regeneration until the diesel
particulate filter load percentage has
reached 100%. The diesel particulate filter
load percentage fluctuates up and down
when driving your vehicle due to active and
passive regenerations.

Note: During the use of operator
commanded regeneration, you may observe
a light amount of white smoke. This is
normal.

You may not be able to use
operator commanded
regeneration if the service engine

soon warning lamp appears in the
information display

Information Display Procedure

Start with your vehicle engine and when it
has reached the normal operating
temperature, press the information display
control button on the steering wheel. See
General Information (page 111). If a
message advising that the exhaust filter is
full appears in the information display,
press the OK button to set the display to
Y. Answer yes to this prompt and then

follow the next prompts regarding exhaust
position required to initiate operator
commanded regeneration. Be sure to
understand each prompt. If you are not
sure what is being asked by each prompt,
contact an authorized dealer. The display
confirms the operation has started and
when it has finished.

If the diesel particulate filter is near or at
saturation, a message requesting
permission to initiate filter cleaning
appears in the information display. See
Information Messages (page 128).
Answer yes to this prompt and then follow
the next prompts regarding exhaust
position required to initiate operator
commanded regeneration. Be sure to
understand each prompt. If you are not
sure what is being asked by each prompt,
contact an authorized dealer. The display
confirms the operation has started and
when it has finished. You can also drive to
clean the filter.

When the system is at the point
of oversaturation, the service
engine warning lamp illuminates

and a message appears in the information
display. You cannot initiate filter cleaning.
You must have your vehicle checked as
soon as possible.

Once operator commanded regeneration
starts, engine speed increases to
approximately 2000–2500 rpm and the
cooling fan speed increases. You will hear
a change in audible sound due to engine
speed and cooling fan speed increases.

It is not necessary to open the hood on the
engine compartment. Once operator
commanded regeneration completes, the
engine speed returns to normal idling. The
exhaust system remains very hot for
several minutes even after regeneration is
complete. Do not reposition the vehicle
over materials that could burn until the

exhaust system has had sufficient time to
cool. Depending on the amount of soot
collected by the diesel particulate filter,
ambient temperature and altitude,
operator commanded regeneration lasts
approximately 30 minutes.

Operator Commanded Regeneration
with Automatic Regeneration Control
(If Equipped)

If your vehicle is operated with significant
stationary operation, low speed drive
cycles less than 25 mph (40 km/h), short
drive cycles, drive time less than 15 minutes
or the vehicle does not fully warm up,
passive and active regeneration may not
sufficiently clean the diesel particulate
filter system. You can switch off automatic
regeneration until better driving conditions
are available, for example steady high
speed driving. You can then switch
automatic regeneration back on to clean
the diesel particulate filter.

Switching Automatic Regeneration
Control On and Off

To switch operator commanded
regeneration on and off, use the
information display control on the steering
wheel. See General Information (page
111). Scroll to the exhaust cleaning
message and then select Y or N to switch
it On or Off.

How to Interrupt or Cancel Operator
Commanded Regeneration

If you need to cancel the operator
commanded regeneration, pressing the
brake, accelerator or switching the engine
off stops the procedure. Depending on the
amount of time you allowed the operator
commanded regeneration to operate, soot
may not have had sufficient time to be fully
eliminated, but the exhaust system and
exhaust gas may still be hot. If you shut

your vehicle off during operator
commanded regeneration, you may notice
turbo flutter. This is a normal consequence
caused by shutting off a diesel engine
during boosted operation and is considered
normal.

Filter Service and Maintenance

Over time, a slight amount of ash builds
up in the diesel particulate filter, which is
not removed during the regeneration
process. The filter may need to be removed
for ash cleaning at approximately
120,000 mi (190,000 km) or it may need
to be replaced with a new or
remanufactured part. Actual mileage
varies depending on engine and vehicle
operating conditions. The filter may need
to be replaced with a new or
remanufactured part at approximately
250,000 mi (400,000 km). Actual
mileage varies depending on engine and
vehicle operating conditions.

If filter service is required, the
engine control system warning
lamp illuminates in the

information display.

If there are any issues with the
diesel particulate filter system,
the engine control system
warning lamp and a service
engine soon warning lamp
illuminate to inform you that

your vehicle requires service. Have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.

Resonator and Tailpipe Assembly
Maintenance

Aftermarket devices or modifications to
the exhaust system may reduce the
effectiveness of the exhaust system as
well as cause damage to the exhaust
system or engine. This may also degrade
vehicle performance and could lead to
engine damage that may not be covered
by the vehicle Warranty.

Emission Control System Laws

WARNING

Do not remove or alter the original
equipment floor covering or
insulation between it and the metal

floor of the vehicle. The floor covering and
insulation protect occupants of the vehicle
from the engine and exhaust system heat
and noise. On vehicles with no original
equipment floor covering insulation, do not
carry passengers in a manner that permits
prolonged skin contact with the metal
floor. Failure to follow these instructions
may result in fire or personal injury.

In the United States, federal law and
certain state laws prohibit removing or
rendering the emission control system
inoperative. Similar federal or provincial
laws may apply in Canada. We do not
recommend any vehicle modification
without determining applicable law.

Tampering with emissions
control system, including related
sensors or the diesel exhaust

fluid injection system can result in reduced
engine power and the service engine soon
warning lamp illuminating in the
information display.

Tampering with a Noise Control
System

Federal law prohibits the following acts or
the causing thereof:
•

The removal or rendering inoperative
by any person other than for purposes
of maintenance, repair or replacement
of any device or element of design
incorporated into any new vehicle for
the purpose of noise control prior to its
sale or delivery to the ultimate
purchaser or while it is in use.

•

The use of the vehicle after such device
or element of design has been removed
or rendered inoperative by any person.

Among those acts, which the United States
Environmental Protection Agency may
presume to constitute tampering are the
acts listed below:
•

Removal of hood blanket, fender apron
absorbers, fender apron barriers,
underbody noise shields or acoustically
absorptive material.

•

Tampering or rendering inoperative the
engine speed governor, to allow engine
speed to exceed manufacturer’s
specifications.

The complexity of the diesel engine makes
it so the owner is discouraged from
attempting to perform maintenance other
than the services described in this Owner's
Manual.

If you experience difficulty starting the
engine, rough idling, excessive exhaust
smoke, a decrease in engine performance
or excess fuel consumption, perform the
following checks:

•

A plugged or disconnected air inlet
system or engine air filter element.

•

Water in the fuel filter and water
separator.

•

A clogged fuel filter.

•

Contaminated fuel.