Diesel particulate filter (DPF) light
The diesel particulate filter in the exhaust is filling up with soot. The filter normally cleans itself by burning the soot off at the high exhaust temperatures of steady, faster driving; repeated short trips or long spells of slow driving stop that from happening, and the light asks you to give it the drive it needs.
Yellow / amber
Not defined by regulation: a maker convention
What to do
Follow your manual's regeneration drive. Volkswagen's page says: refuel first if the low fuel light is also on, then drive at least 60 km/h with the engine at 1,800–2,500 rpm for at least 15 minutes until the light goes out. Hyundai's Tucson manual says above 60 km/h, or 1,250–2,500 rpm in 2nd gear or higher, for about 25 minutes. If the light stays on or keeps blinking afterwards, or other warning lights are on too, have the filter checked: Hyundai warns that driving for long with it blinking can damage the filter.
Makes differ: what this light means on your car, the other colours it may use for the symbol and what the car wants you to do are set by the manufacturer, so your car's owner's manual is the authority.
- Symbol
- Box full of dots with a pipe at each end
- Colour
- Yellow / amber
- Standard
- None — a maker convention, described here from 2 makers: Volkswagen, Hyundai
Where makes differ
Both makers draw a filter box with a pipe at each end and both give a regeneration drive, but the numbers differ: VW says at least 15 minutes at 1,800–2,500 rpm, Hyundai about 25 minutes at 1,250–2,500 rpm. Hyundai adds a blinking stage and a 'Check exhaust system' message for when regeneration has not worked; VW says to call roadside assistance if more than one warning light is on. Hyundai also says high-sulphur fuel (above 50 ppm) can damage the filter.
Not defined by regulation: a maker convention
Neither US FMVSS 101 (Tables 1 and 2) nor UN Regulation No. 121 lists this light, so no rule fixes its symbol or its colour. What follows is what the makers cited below say; other makes, and other model years of the same make, may draw it differently.
Neither FMVSS 101 nor UN R121 lists a particulate-filter tell-tale.
Related lights a regulation does define
Other yellow / amber maker lights
All yellow / amber dashboard lights, regulated ones included
Sources
No regulation defines this light, so it is described from 2 carmakers' own manuals or owner pages, each fetched and checked on the date shown:
- Volkswagen: Volkswagen UK — Diesel particulate filter warning light (steps 1–4) — Amber means action is required; refuel if the fuel light is on, then drive at least 60 km/h at 1,800–2,500 rpm for at least 15 minutes until the light goes out. checked 2026-09-24
- Hyundai: Hyundai owner's manual, 2025 Tucson (general market) — Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) (Diesel particulate filter (DPF)) — The DPF light comes on when soot is not burnt off; it goes out above 60 km/h, or at 1,250–2,500 rpm in 2nd gear or higher, for about 25 minutes; if it keeps blinking, have the system checked. checked 2026-09-24
Written in our own words; the makers' pages cover their own models only.