Does a DPF / GPF sensor need to be coded when replaced?

[Mr Miata]

I have 2.0 petrol VW Golf. It now has a check engine light, but there s no degradation in performance, it drives perfectly fine. I ve plugged in a OBDII reader and the fault code is pending for DPF sensor.

I ve read into this, as I was confused how can my Golf have a DPF sensor when it s not even a diesel? But apparently some petrol versions do have a particulate filter on the exhaust too.

Having located the sensor, it looks very easy to get to and I could replace it myself. However some forums have hinted that the car needs to be re-coded with VCDS to calibrate or reset the sensor?

Is there any truth to this? Because I dont have VCDS and it would mean I can t replace the sensor myself. Thanks.

[E-bmw]

Don't forget that just because (as you say) there is a pending code for that doesn't mean that the sensor is faulty.

Don't go "firing the parts cannon" at a car on the strength of a fault code, start by checking that there is a problem or if the sensor is actually reading correctly.

You should be able to display "live data" from the sensor to help.

Is it showing correct when not running?

Does the displayed data change with different engine running conditions?

Are there hoses/pipes to the GPF and are they clear?

[OldGermanHeaps]

Quite often a generic obd reader gives the wrong codes on a vw. Get it scanned with vcds.

[TrevorHill]

Get someone qualified to look at it. It could be a myriad of different things. Don’t be throwing parts at it unnecessarily.