Does the BMW X3 have a particulate filter?
2 Answers
The BMW X3 has a total of 19 models. Among them, the four models released in 2018 do not have particulate filters, while the 15 models from 2019 to 2022 are equipped with particulate filters. 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 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 particulate trap through a dedicated pipeline. The densely arranged bag filters inside capture the carbon particles on the metal fiber felt filter. When the amount of captured particles reaches a certain level, the burner at the end automatically ignites, burning off the carbon particles and converting them into harmless carbon dioxide. To check if your BMW X3 is equipped with a particulate filter, you can use the following three methods: Check the and to see if there is a 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 cap. If the oil cap clearly indicates 0W-20 grade oil, it means the vehicle is equipped with a particulate filter. Check if there is a cylindrical section on the exhaust pipe behind the three-way catalytic converter. If present, that is the particulate filter.
I've been driving a BMW X3 for a while and can confirm it's indeed equipped with a particulate filter, especially for the newer models after 2018. This is due to stricter global emission regulations, requiring BMW to install this device on both diesel and gasoline engines to filter out fine particles from exhaust gases. During normal driving, the system automatically performs the regeneration process—burning off accumulated particles at high speeds to prevent clogging. If you frequently drive short urban trips, the dashboard will remind you to take a highway drive to complete the regeneration. I find this feature quite convenient. Although it slightly increases fuel consumption, it benefits the environment, and I personally notice cleaner exhaust when driving. For potential X3 buyers, I recommend considering long-term driving habits to avoid frequent short trips triggering regeneration alerts. Overall, as an owner, I'm quite satisfied with this design.
