Regen

You shouldn't need to hit a button while driving. It regens during normal driving operation, usually without you knowing it though if paying attention you will notice a change in sound.

It's also unusual for that light to come on while driving in normal conditions.

You may have a problem.

 

I am not sure what the light means in your truck. If it only indicates that the regen is being performed, I would keep driving at steady speed, because that's when the active regen is done most efficiently. In Volvos when the regen is being done it shows "regen" message on the dashboard. There are different indicators/icons informing that the filter is clogged. It could be a situation when the DPF is clogged to the point of it needed to be serviced because the very regens would not be enough. In Volvos, many interupt the active regen process by hitting right hand wiper control switch ESC button, interrupting it as the message hides other info on the dashbourd screen. That's bad habit but also bad Volvo dashboard design...I hope they changed it in newer models.

 

When the light comes on then you should stop do a regen until it stops. It needs DEF fluid? It should do a regen while your driving but it won't show the regen light unless something is wrong.

You really shouldn't see the regen light with SCR unless there was too much idle time or something is wrong.

 

2012, it should have DEF.

 

Yes, it should

 

The only time mine ever comes on is if I idle too long.

The 2011 I drove was the same, never saw that light.

 

The older the truck the more regens it will have and they will last longer. When I bought mine I had them show the "regen" message 4-5 times a day lasting at times up to an hour...typical for a truck with over 500K miles....and that's for a year and a half when it got really bad - showing engine shutdown message. Then I replaced the filter, dozer and all sensors. I don't have def though, only DPF - it is Cummins ISX 2008.