Method and apparatus for regenerating a particulate filter system

A method for regenerating a particulate filter configured to treat engine exhaust gas in a vehicle equipped with an on-board navigation and an extra-vehicle communications system, comprising:

• monitoring present operations of the engine and the vehicle;
• projecting vehicle operating conditions based upon information from the on-board navigation and the extra-vehicle communications system;
• monitoring a storage capacity of the particulate filter;
• executing an engine control scheme to regenerate the particulate filter when the storage capacity of the particulate filter exceeds an upper threshold;
• executing the engine control scheme to regenerate the particulate filter when the storage capacity of the particulate filter is less than the upper threshold and in response to an operator request to regenerate the particulate filter;
• executing the engine control scheme to regenerate the particulate filter when the storage capacity of the particulate filter is less than the upper threshold and the projected vehicle operating conditions indicate an opportunity to regenerate the particulate filter;
• and
• delaying executing the engine control scheme to regenerate the particulate filter when the storage capacity of the particulate filter is less than a lower threshold.

A method for regenerating a particulate filter configured to treat engine exhaust gas in a vehicle equipped with an on-board navigation and an extra-vehicle communications system, comprising:

• projecting vehicle operating conditions based upon information available using the on-board navigation and the extra-vehicle communications system;
• monitoring present operation of the vehicle and a storage capacity of the particulate filter;
• regenerating the particulate filter in response to an operator request to regenerate the particulate filter;
• regenerating the particulate filter when the projected vehicle operating conditions indicate a forthcoming opportunity to regenerate the particulate filter;
• and
• delaying regenerating the particulate filter when the storage capacity of the particulate filter is less than a lower threshold.