Particulate filter ash loading prediction method and vehicle using same

A vehicle, comprising:

• an internal combustion engine;
• a particulate filter connected to said internal combustion engine;
• a controller operatively connected to said internal combustion engine and to said particulate filter, said controller being configured to execute the steps of a method, the method including the steps of:
• determining a maximum average time for the particulate filter;
• performing a calculation of a running average of time between regenerations of the particulate filter;
• calculating an end-of-service-life ratio of the particulate filter dependent upon said maximum average time and said running average;
• determining a delta pressure adjustment factor to compensate for ash loading of the particulate filter dependent upon said end-of-service-life ratio;
• and
• comparing said delta pressure adjustment factor to a predetermined maximum normalized delta pressure adjustment factor, if said delta pressure adjustment factor exceeds said predetermined maximum normalized delta pressure adjustment factor then indicating that at least one of service and replacement of the particulate filter is needed due to ash loading.