Does the Tiguan X have a particulate filter?
3 Answers
Tiguan X has a particulate filter. There are 5 models of Tiguan X, all equipped with particulate filters to meet the China VI emission standards. 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. How the particulate filter works: 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 trap through a dedicated pipe. After passing through its densely arranged bag filter, the carbon 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 particles into harmless carbon dioxide. To check if the Tiguan X has a particulate filter, you can use the following 3 methods: Check the and to see if there is a particulate filter function. In addition, you can carefully check the fault codes in the manual to see if there is a "particulate filter" warning light; 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 if there is a cylindrical section on the exhaust pipe behind the three-way catalytic converter. If there is, that is the particulate filter.
I've heard many car owners asking about this recently. Having run an auto repair shop for over a decade, I can say Volkswagen's turbocharged vehicles have been equipped with particulate filters since the third-generation EA888 engines. As a China 6B compliant vehicle, the Tiguan X definitely needs this device to meet emission standards. It's located right behind the catalytic converter - you can notice the exhaust pipe bulge is significantly thicker than in older models. The most annoying part is it tends to clog during slow city driving, triggering the exhaust warning light on the dashboard. I recommend taking monthly highway trips - maintaining 3,000 RPM for 20 minutes can automatically burn off the carbon buildup. For those who mainly do short commutes, using higher quality low-ash engine oil can help reduce clogging risks.
Last week, I accompanied a friend to pick up the 2023 Tiguan X, and the salesperson clearly stated it comes with a particulate filter. Nowadays, the environmental standards for new cars are strictly enforced, and without it, the car simply can't be sold. However, the salesperson also shared a little trick: driving in Sport mode on elevated roads makes it easier for the system to trigger the regeneration program. Once, when I was driving his car and the warning light came on, I simply shifted to S mode and drove for half an hour, and it was fine. The mechanic mentioned that this generation's particulate filter is better optimized than those from a couple of years ago, but it's still advisable to avoid using 92-octane fuel all the time, as lower-grade gasoline burns less efficiently and is more prone to clogging.
