DPF issue in my Kia Sonet: Car does short runs to office and school

For some reason, in my case the regeneration process keeps getting cutoff when I use the REAR DEFOGGER button.

BHPian MudMover recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

For the past one week I've been regularly getting the DPF warning message and light in the instrument panel.

What is regeneration in a diesel engine?

During the process of Regeneration, the soot is burned away with high temperature in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). Regeneration is normally performed automatically while driving but in certain driving conditions where required temperature cannot be achieved, it has to be initiated manually.

Last Saturday, when I got the DPF alert I took the Sonet to the ASC. But yesterday I did it myself by going through the steps in the Owner's Manual 

To initiate Self Regeneration

Engage parking brake and shift lever at P state. 

Turn on the engine.

Warm up the engine and check engine temperature gauge at the middle position. 

Turn on the air conditioner and set the blower to the maximum.

Turn on the high beam.

Operate the rear defog function. 

Hold the OK button on the LCD warning message page.

For some reason, in my case the regeneration process keeps getting cutoff when I use the REAR DEFOGGER button. And only when I use the FRONT DEFOGGER button does the process get activated. Once the regeneration process started, immediately the engine moved to a higher RPM automatically and stayed there till the end of the process.

Here is a video of the same.  

After the process, the 'Check Engine' light was burning for some time. I drove around 5-6km and it went away. I think the problem might be that I don't drive a lot during the days I'm in city. Majority of my drives are to the kids' school and office -- very low speed and low rpm driving, and that might be causing this problem. Last week at the ASC, even the service advisor had told me "Try going for some long drives, Sir"! But you can't go on long drives just to keep the DPF light from coming on, can you?!

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