Does the 2021 3 Series have a particulate filter?
3 Answers
2021 3 Series has a particulate filter, which is a ceramic filter installed in the diesel engine emission system to capture particulate emissions before they enter the atmosphere. Function of the particulate filter: The particulate filter can reduce soot produced by diesel engines by more than 90%, and the captured particulate emissions are subsequently burned off during vehicle operation. 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 engine exhaust particulate trap through a dedicated pipe. After passing through its densely arranged bag-type filter, the carbon smoke particles are adsorbed on 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 discharged.
As a long-time BMW 3 Series owner, I specifically inquired about this issue at the dealership last year. The 2021 3 Series indeed comes standard with a particulate filter across all trims, primarily due to stricter China VI-b emission regulations. This device is installed in the exhaust system to capture fine carbon particles. There's no noticeable difference in daily driving, but it's important to avoid frequent short trips to prevent clogging. My friend's car once experienced a sudden increase in fuel consumption, which was only alleviated after several highway runs. During maintenance, remember to ask the technician to check the system's condition, especially given today's frequent traffic congestion and complex road conditions.
I remember when I bought the 2021 325i, the salesperson clearly stated it had a particulate filter. BMW installed them in most models to meet environmental standards, and it's clearly stated in the manual. This thing usually works quietly, but you need to pay attention to usage. I make it a habit to take the car on the highway once a week and let the engine run at high RPM for about ten minutes. This raises the exhaust temperature and helps automatically clean the filter. I saw the actual part during a repair—it's that metal canister with sensors in the middle of the exhaust pipe. If you mostly drive in the city, keep an eye on the warning light. If the yellow light comes on, you might need to visit the dealership for a regeneration process. Nowadays, all new models come with this setup, and you actually get used to it over time.
