Amongst truck drivers, Kenworth T680s are well known and liked. Their aerodynamic build increases fuel efficiency and mileage, saving everyone involved time and money. They are also well known for their smart features, which update traffic conditions and increase connectivity to others on the road.
With any vehicle, but especially so for long-distance trucking, knowing how to do basic maintenance on your Kenworth is very important. As you use your truck, soot may build up in the diesel particulate filter, making the truck inoperable. When this happens, knowing how to regen a Kenworth will help you clear out that filter and save you valuable time and money.
Is Regenerating a Kenworth T680 a Common Problem?
As discussed, knowing how to regen your T680 will save you a lot of time, hassle, and relying on other people to get it fixed and ready to go.
Much of the time, you will not have to worry about regenerating your truck, as when the speed is consistently high for a long enough period such as if it is on the highway, the soot will burn off on its own. This is called active regeneration.
When Do I Need to Regen Kenworth T680?
If the soot has built up long enough or you are not able to get to a high enough speed or are in stop-and-go traffic, then your Kenworth may reach a point where manual regeneration is required.
You will know if you need manual regen if you see a light on your dashboard that says “Do not drive. 10 Minute Parked Regen Required”.
How to Regen Kenworth T680
Once you see the light mentioned above, park in a safe place with room around you (if possible).
Now, take the following steps:
- Start your engine and place the truck in neutral. Make sure that the parking brake is on, and the cruise control and the engine jake brake switch are turned off.
- Once you have double checked that everything is in its proper position, do not touch anything. Let the truck run until it is idling.
- Wait until the coolant temperature is at least 185 degrees. The coolant temperature gauge is on the left bottom side of the dashboard.
- Once the coolant has reached 185 degrees, press the regen button and hold it down for ten seconds. The regen switch is a black switch located on the right side of the cab. It is labeled “Disable Manual”.
- You will notice the RPMs starting to pick up. Do not worry, it is supposed to be doing this. Do not push any buttons or press any pedals.
- Wait ten minutes to an hour. The RPMs will slow back down once the regen is finished. Once they do, you should be good to go.
Now that you know how to regen a Kenworth, let’s take a look at what you should do if the regen does not start.
What Should I Do If Regen Does Not Start?
You may find that you have followed all the steps to the letter, but the regening is not working. If that is the case, you can try a couple of things.
Check the Engine Light
The first method is to see if there is a check engine light on. If there is, then that is likely why the regen light has come on, and it would be better to let a mechanic take a look at the truck. If you are not in a position to drive to one, you should call one and see if they can come out to your location.
Connect a Diagnostic Tool
If the check engine light is not on, connect a diagnostic tool.
A couple of tools that are commonly used are:
- OTR Diagnostics
- OTR Reset Tool
Once connected the tools should tell you either what the issue is, or it will force a regen. Now you know everything about regenerating a Kenworth T680.
Conclusion
Kenworth T680s are reliable and efficient trucks and built aerodynamically with smart features. Owning or driving one of these trucks requires that you be able to keep up with the upkeep.
One such aspect that you may come across is how to do a manual regen which clears soot out from the diesel particulate filter and ensures that the engine continues to run smoothly and reliably.
To do a regen, make sure that your T680 is parked in a safe place and follow the steps that have been outlined in this article above. Once it slows back down to idle, the regen is complete and you should be ready to go on with your trucking.