The Differences in Regen Types

Learn about Noregon's 30-year history helping the industry maximize uptime and advance technician skillsets. OTHER Learn about Noregon's 30-year history helping the industry maximize uptime and advance technician skillsets. OTHER Tech Tips: Forced vs. Passive Regens  Take this information with you to save for later. DPF Regens Performing regens, whether passive or forced, is necessary as they help to remove the soot buildup, prevent filter blockage, and increase the longevity of the DPF. By removing the accumulated soot, regens can help create a well-maintained DPF that lasts longer and avoids the hefty costs of replacing it. Passive Regens A passive regen occurs while the vehicle is in use, and the exhaust temperatures are raised to burn off the accumulated soot. One of the benefits of a passive regen is that it happens automatically, creating convenience without the work of a technician needed. Forced Regens A forced regen occurs on stationary trucks and is typically done when a passive regen is inhibited. In scenarios where the engine does not maintain the temperatures needed to burn off the soot, short-haul trucks will often require manual regenerations from the driver or the assistance of diagnostic tools such as JPRO to initiate the process. For example, a trash truck that makes frequent stops on shorter routes is less likely to undergo a passive regen than a long-haul truck. In this case, a forced regen is required more often. Note: There are scenarios in which the aftertreatment system is triggering an active fault but a forced regen isn’t needed. Learn the costs and consequences of running unnecessary regens in our guide: When to Avoid Forced Regens Initiating a Forced Regen When a forced regen is required, a diagnostic tool with bi-directional controls is needed to initiate the regen. Using an advanced tool like JPRO ensures technicians get a bumper-to-bumper diagnosis of the vehicle first, which can inform of other issues that should be addressed before (or instead of) the regen. To initiate a forced regen in JPRO, simply press the “Start DPF Regen” button in the Aftertreatment Diagnostics window. The average regen lasts between thirty to sixty minutes, but JPRO will alert you when it is complete. Tying It All Together DPF regens, whether forced or passive, are necessary to remove soot buildup and prevent filter blockage. JPRO helps technicians understand what’s happening in vehicles’ aftertreatment systems and initiate a forced regen when needed.  Subscribe for more insights Get the latest tech tips, training, and updates delivered to your inbox. A Modern Approach to CAN Bus Diagnostics Why traditional CAN bus diagnostics fail and how modern diagnostics identify faults faster. Guide to CARB’s Clean Truck Check Learn about California’s Clean Truck Check program and how to stay compliant with new requirements. A Technician’s Guide to DPF Regens Learn the importance of DPF regens and the costs and consequences of running them unnecessarily. Small Town Shop Offers Big-Time Services Learn how Van Cleef Auto Parts uses TaaS to provide leading service, versatility, and customer satisfaction. This whitepaper explores the 2026 economic outlook, industry trends, and customer research findings. 10 Steps Before Clearing Fault Codes Learn the 10 steps to take before clearing a fault code to avoid recurring issues. Streamline the Diagnostic Process As shops take inventory of their diagnostic tools, it's vital to consider the importance of tech-to-tool ratios. Differences Between OE and SAE Fault Codes Learn the differences between OE and SAE fault codes and how JPRO can simplify fault code analysis. Ways to Recruit & Retain Skilled Truck Drivers Explore the most effective ways to recruit and retain the backbone of the American economy: truck drivers. ©Noregon. JPRO, NextStep, and TripVision are registered trademarks of Noregon. All Rights Reserved.