Diesel particulate filters (DPF) are regenerated by combustion of the accumulated particulate matter (PM). This can lead to high peak temperature which can damage the DPF. We present guidance about how this peak temperature depends on the DPF design and operating conditions. Simple criteria are developed for predicting the peak temperature of two limiting regeneration modes. One is the transverse regeneration mode during which the PM is consumed uniformly along the DPF and the axial temperature is close to uniform. The second is the axial regeneration mode under which a negligible temperature difference exists between the solid phase and the gas, the filtration velocity is highly non-uniform and a sharp temperature front forms during the PM combustion. Most DPFs operate in the mixed regeneration mode, and their peak temperature is bounded between those predicted by the two limiting modes. The predictions of the behavior of the two limiting models provide useful guidance and bounds on any DPF design and operating conditions which will lower the peak regeneration temperature. For example, choices that widen the width of the moving temperature front decrease the maximum regeneration temperature under stationary feed conditions. A major technological challenge in the regeneration of the ceramic cordierite filter is that a sudden decrease of the engine load, referred to as Drop to Idle (DTI), may create a transient temperature peak much higher than under either the initial or final stationary feed conditions. The results for the stationary feed conditions suggest selections that decrease the peak temperature under stationary operation will also decrease the peak DTI temperature rise. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.