Does the 2021 Q5L have a particulate filter?
2 Answers
The 2021 Q5L has 8 models. Among them, the 40TFSI models are equipped with particulate filters, while the 45TFSI models are not. A particulate filter is a ceramic filter installed in the exhaust system of diesel engines, which captures particulate emissions before they enter the atmosphere. It can reduce the 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 pipe. After passing through its densely arranged bag-type filter, the carbon particles are adsorbed onto the filter made of metal fiber felt. When the amount of adsorbed particles reaches a certain level, the burner at the end automatically ignites and burns, turning the adsorbed carbon particles into harmless carbon dioxide that is then expelled. To check whether the 2021 Q5L is equipped with a particulate filter, you can use the following three methods: Check the and to see if they mention the particulate filter function. Additionally, carefully review the fault codes in the manual to see if there is a "particulate filter" warning light indicator. Check the label on the oil filler cap. If the cap clearly states the use of 0W-20 grade oil, it indicates the presence of a particulate filter. Look behind the catalytic converter to see if there is an additional cylindrical section on the exhaust pipe. If there is, that is the particulate filter.
My 2021 Q5L has been driven for over two years, and I specifically checked this matter. This model comes equipped with a particulate filter across all trims, primarily to meet China's National VI emission standards. I remember during the last maintenance, the technician pointed out the honeycomb-shaped component in the exhaust pipe to me—it's specifically designed to capture carbon particles from the exhaust. Daily driving requires attention to avoid prolonged short-distance trips. I once triggered a warning after only driving in the city for a month, with fuel consumption soaring to 13 liters per 100 km. Later, following the manual's guidance, I took the car on the highway to rev the engine, and after half an hour, the particulate matter burned off, returning to normal. It's recommended to drive on the highway every 500 kilometers or so, maintaining engine speed above 2,500 rpm to prevent clogging.
