18
CLEAN TURBO DIESEL FEATURES
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)
Your vehicle is equipped with
a 4.8-gallon DEF tank that
is accessible by lifting the
load floor in the trunk. DEF is
used with diesel engines to
reduce the amount of regu-
lated emissions produced.
The fluid level in the DEF
tank must be maintained for
the vehicle to run correctly.
The DEF level indicator
is displayed in the Driver
Information Center. When
the DEF tank is approaching
empty, a Driver Information
Center message will be displayed to refill the DEF tank. If the tank is not refilled, the
engine computer will begin to limit your vehicle to a maximum speed, starting at 65 mph,
and over time and mileage will reduce maximum speed to less than 10 mph. DEF may be
obtained at your dealership or many diesel retailers. Contact OnStar to locate a store with
DEF. The DEF tank will be refilled at dealerships for the first two years of ownership as
part of the regular maintenance package.
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
The DPF features a porous material that allows exhaust gas to pass through while trapping
or filtering solid matter from the exhaust. Occasionally, depending on a number of factors
monitored by the engine computer, the DPF needs to be cleaned of accumulated solids.
The engine computer will initiate the cleaning process by warming the exhaust gas temper-
ature. The accumulated particulate matter in the DPF will be safely converted to harmless
gases, and the DPF will then be clean and ready again to trap or filter additional particulate
matter. This feature is designed to operate automatically, with limited driver involvement or
awareness.
Cleaning the DPF
The DPF cleaning cycle is automatically controlled by the engine computer and should
normally be maintenance-free for the driver. If the vehicle is used for numerous short trips
or extended slow-speed operation, the engine computer may not be able to adequately heat
up the exhaust system to clean the DPF effectively. When the engine computer detects that
the DPF is nearly full of particulates and that the vehicle is not being operated in a manner
that would allow effective automatic DPF cleaning, the Driver Information Center displays
DIESEL PARTIC FILTER IS FULL CONTINUE DRIVING or DIESEL PARTIC FILTER IS
FULL CONTINUED DRIVING IS MANDATORY. It is advised to follow the cleaning warning
to prevent damage to the engine. The vehicle may need to operate continuously for up to
20 minutes and at speeds greater than 30 mph to clean the DPF effectively.
See Driving and Operating in your Owner Manual.
