Rethinking DPF Cleaning – What Regular Workshops Really Need Today

The majority of DPF services across Europe are performed by independent car workshops – not by OEMs or fleet specialists. These workshops deal daily with individual customers, light commercial vehicles, and diesel passenger cars. And their needs are changing fast.

For years, basic hydrodynamic cleaning was considered enough: flush the filter with water, dry it, reinstall. But today’s diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are more compact, more delicate, and more sensitive to improper servicing. Emission standards like Euro 7 only reinforce this shift.
So what does a modern DPF service need to stay relevant?

The DPF Customer Has Changed – So Should the Service

Workshops that offer DPF cleaning now face growing expectations from both private clients and small business vehicle owners. 

Customers want:
- Reliable results – not just "better flow", but full ash and soot removal.
- Protection for their filter – especially for modern ceramic substrates prone to cracking.
- Clear diagnostics – before/after airflow measurement and performance proof.
- Transparent documentation – printed or digital reports they can trust.
- Confidence in long-term performance – especially with stricter emissions coming.

A DPF business that cannot provide these will soon be seen as outdated – no matter how experienced its operators are.

🔗 See also: How to Prepare a DPF Service for Euro 7 – Technology Ready for Stricter Standards

Why Basic Hydrodynamic Systems Are Falling Behind

Traditional machines built 5–10 years ago were designed for earlier filter generations. They still work – but with major limitations:

- They lack pneumatic pre-cleaning, which helps open blocked channels.
- They use passive drying, where ash suspended in rinse water hardens inside the filter.
- They rely on manual settings, with no adjustment to filter type or structure.
- They provide no data reporting or cleaning traceability.

For many DPF services, these weaknesses translate into longer cleaning times, inconsistent outcomes, and unhappy customers.

🔗 Related: Outdated DPF Machines in a Changing Market – Why New Standards Require New Technology

Otomatic DPF-Hybrid™ – Designed for Today’s Reality

Modern workshops need tools that help them deliver better results with less guesswork. 
That’s where Otomatic’s DPF-Hybrid™ system stands out. It combines:

- Pneumatic Pre-Cleaning – loosens dry deposits before water enters.
- Hydrodynamic Flushing – standard wet cleaning with optimized flow.
- Impulse Drying – hot pulsed air removes fine PM particles before they dry inside.

This prevents leftover ash and ensures more complete cleaning – especially critical for passenger car filters that clog faster.

Optional AI SmartClean™ – For Consistent, Automated Results

For workshops that want to reduce training time and avoid operator error, the DPF Platinum AI model includes:

- Smart filter recognition,
- Automatic flow, pressure and temperature adjustment,
- Logging of cleaning parameters for report generation.

⚠️ Note: AI SmartClean™ doesn’t change how filters are cleaned – it just makes the process faster, safer, and repeatable.
🔗 Read more: Two Forces, One Filter – Why Hybrid DPF Cleaning Leaves Traditional Methods Behind

Final Thought – The DPF Service of Tomorrow Starts Today

If you run a small or mid-size workshop, upgrading to hybrid DPF cleaning technology is no longer just a competitive move — it's a necessary one. Customers are smarter. Filters are more demanding. And regulations are getting stricter.
With Otomatic, your DPF business can offer:
- Cleaner filters,
- Safer handling,
- Better diagnostics,
- And a process built for modern diesel vehicles.