To improve the $NO_X$ conversion over a SCR (selective catalytic reduction) catalyst, the DOC (diesel oxidation catalyst) is usually placed upstream of the SCR catalyst to enhance the fast SCR reaction ($4NH_3+2NO+2NO_2{ ightarrow}4N_2+6H_2O$) using equimolar amounts of NO and $NO_2$. Here, a ratio of $NO_2/NO_X$ above 50% should be avoided, because the reaction with $NO_2$ only ($4NH_3+4NO+O_2{ ightarrow}4N_2+6H_2O$) is slower than the standard SCR reaction ($4NH_3+4NO+O_2{ ightarrow}4N_2+6H_2O$). In order to accurately predict the performance characteristics of SCR catalysts, it is therefore desired to develop a more simple and reliable mathematical and kinetic models on the oxidation kinetics of nitric oxide over a DOC. In the present work, the prediction accuracy and limit of three different chemical reaction kinetics models are presented to describe the chemicophysical characteristics and conversion performance of DOCs. Steady-state experiments with DOCs mounted on a light-duty four-cylinder 2.0-L turbocharged diesel engine then are performed, using an engine-dynamometer system to calibrate the kinetic parameters such as activation energies and preexponential factors of heterogeneous reactions. The reaction kinetics for NO oxidation over Pt-based catalysts is determined in conjunction with a transient one-dimensional (1D) heterogeneous plug flow reactor (PFR) model with diesel exhaust gas temperatures in the range of 115~$525^{circ}C$ and space velocities in the range of $(0.4{sim}6.5){ imes}10^5;h^{-1}$.