Hi All

Just wondering if my car is behaving normally.

In the manual it states "If the diesel particulate filter is near or at saturation, a warning lamp or information message appears in the information display. Drive your vehicle in a manner to allow effective diesel particulate filter cleaning."

My car goes straight to orange engine warning light without any other notifications.

Does anyone else with a 2015+ SMax have this or do you also get the regen light on the dash (as per the manual) first?

Cheers for your help

Paul

Welcome!
My suggestions (others likely differ, you choose!) are as follows (this is a common issue)...
Get Forscan and look for the actual fault codes behind the light.
Then bring up the DPF pressure differential sensor and soot loadings and see if there is any concern (parameters are available)
DPF is usually a victim of some other fault or driving conditions (although that last one has never been a problem for us)
Look at Jimmy's videos on the topic:
https://www.youtube.com/@ORileysAutos
Come back if necessary and don't forget to do multiple forced regens every day (I'm joking - me 'n' Jimmy don't like them due to the risk of damage unless there's no other option which there usually is)

1 hour ago, Shearers said:

Welcome!
My suggestions (others likely differ, you choose!) are as follows (this is a common issue)...
Get Forscan and look for the actual fault codes behind the light.
Then bring up the DPF pressure differential sensor and soot loadings and see if there is any concern (parameters are available)
Look at Jimmy's videos on the topic:
https://www.youtube.com/@ORileysAutos
Come back if necessary and don't forget to do multiple forced regens every day (I'm joking - me 'n' Jimmy don't like them due to the risk of damage unless there's no other option which there usually is)

Hi

Thanks for commenting the most recent code was P246300, I've asked the garage to look at it but wanted to educate myself and check notifications are happening normally.

I now know I've bought the wrong car, after driving Diesels for years it appears the new Euro 6 isn't for my current driving requirements.

At the min it just feels like the most poorly written software and no one is able to say what should happen and when. I don't get any notifications that it wants to do a regen or that I missed one or when it tried just and failed, just a nah, here is your engine light...

Feels like I've got a new girlfriend that's pi55ed off and will no longer talk to me but has failed to say why.

IMHO I'd look into a) Archoil as a fuel additive with multiple advantages, b) The anti-crystallisation fluid to avoid (or try to) AdBlue issues, c) Forscan app and Bluetooth OBD adapter to keep an eye on things as above (will work on all fords and the adapter on all cars).
Whilst we had an issue with a vaporiser (I don't think you have one) the system has always worked well and never noticed when a regen is taking place (even though others say it is noticeable) but we are Euro 5.
The code is soot accumulation and this is likely due to some other fault (victim, not cause) unless it is down to driving style (which I don't fully adhere to as we normally drive round town with occasional longer trips and yearly long trips towing.
Good Luck finding anything approaching the interior space, versatility and driving experience of S-MAX (let us know if you find one!)
Perhaps best to consider counselling and understanding your "girlfriend"🙂

thanks for your help, Ill get the adapter and forscan along with the additives and keep an eye on it, fingers crossed we can work things out :-)

Well I got the scanner, feel like I have an issue