Does the 2020 BMW X3 come with a particulate filter?
2 Answers
The 2020 BMW X3 is equipped with a particulate filter. Models produced after May 2020 come with a particulate filter. A particulate filter is a ceramic filter installed in the diesel engine emission system, which captures particulate emissions before they enter the atmosphere. It can reduce soot produced by diesel engines by more than 90%, and the captured particulate emissions are subsequently burned off during vehicle operation. Working principle of the particulate filter: The diesel particulate filter is coated with metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium. The black smoke containing carbon particles emitted by the diesel engine enters the exhaust particulate filter through a dedicated pipeline. After passing through the densely arranged bag filters inside, the carbon smoke particles are adsorbed onto the filter made of metal fiber felt. When the adsorption of particles reaches a certain level, the burner at the end automatically ignites and burns, turning the adsorbed carbon smoke particles into harmless carbon dioxide that is then released. To check whether the BMW X3 has a particulate filter, you can use the following three methods: Check the and to see if there is a particulate filter function. Additionally, you can carefully check the fault codes in the manual to see if there is a "particulate filter" warning light indicator. Check the label above the oil filler cap. If the oil cap clearly indicates 0W-20 grade oil, it means the vehicle is equipped with a particulate filter. Check whether there is a cylindrical section on the exhaust pipe behind the three-way catalytic converter. If there is, that is the particulate filter.
I recall that the 2020 BMW X3 indeed comes with a particulate filter, but the specifics depend on the model and engine type. For the diesel version, it's equipped with a DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) to comply with stringent emission regulations in Europe and China, such as the China 6b standard. The gasoline version in most markets also features a GPF (Gasoline Particulate Filter), especially for models sold in China, aiming to control particulate emissions from the exhaust. If you're unsure whether your vehicle has one, I recommend checking the owner's manual or consulting a BMW dealership, as these systems require regular maintenance to prevent clogging—for instance, avoiding too many short trips that prevent the exhaust system from completing automatic regeneration. From a design perspective, BMW certainly keeps up with environmental trends in such premium SUVs, as reducing pollution is a top priority.
