Driving BS6 Innova Crysta Or Fortuner At High Altitude: Toyota Explains What You Need to Do
Driving in the mountains can be challenging, especially for new drivers. Even if you are an experienced driver, there are a few things you should keep in mind while driving a BS6 vehicle in the mountains or high-altitude regions. All BS6 diesel vehicles come with a DPF system. This system helps reduce emissions from diesel engines. If you are driving a BS6 vehicle in a high-altitude region, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
The video has been shared by Toyota India on their YouTube channel. In this video, Toyota explains how the DPF system works and how it may affect the performance of the vehicle as you drive at higher altitudes. As we already know, an engine needs air or oxygen to burn fuel efficiently. When a vehicle starts climbing to higher altitudes, the oxygen levels reduce, which affects performance.
In fact, this becomes more evident when you drive above 4,000 metres. This can affect the DPF system’s ability to function efficiently and may trigger a warning on the MID.
To ensure that this doesn’t happen, it is always a good idea to visit a Toyota service center before starting a trip. The technician at the service center will activate the customised regeneration mode in your diesel vehicle. While this is being taken care of, you should also ensure that the car is ready for a long trip.
On your trip, if you drive at or above an altitude of 4,000 metres, make sure you follow these steps: park the vehicle in an open area with the engine running. Press and hold the manual regeneration button for 2 seconds. This will initiate the cleaning process, which takes around 20–40 minutes.
Once this is done, you can continue your trip. Toyota also suggests that the driver should follow the same steps while coming down. The manufacturer recommends that you follow the same manual regeneration process below 4,000 metres as well.
In most cases, if the driver maintains a consistent speed, the DPF will regenerate automatically and clean itself. However, if you get a critical warning on the MID, it is always a good idea to visit the nearest Toyota dealership to have the vehicle inspected and the DPF system cleaned.
The video talks about diesel vehicles sold by Toyota in the Indian market, but the steps are actually applicable to all BS6 diesel vehicles sold in India.
Apart from taking care of the DPF, there are other things that one must follow while driving at high altitudes. Ensure that you do not drive rashly, as most roads in the mountains are narrow and the chances of an accident are high.
Never overtake another vehicle on a blind curve. Always ensure that you maintain a safe gap from the vehicle in front and have a clear view of the road ahead before overtaking. Give way to vehicles that are climbing up, and also make way for heavy vehicles, as driving them uphill is often challenging.