ONE OF OUR READERS recently contacted us with a concern that a new European car he was considering is fitted with a particulate filter.
Of course, we’ve known about particulate filters fitted to diesels for quite some time, but this was the first time we’d heard of one being fitted to a petrol engine car.
So we made some enquiries and the manufacturer kindly supplied the following information:
“Škoda Australia continues to introduce European engine technology.
Last year Škoda Australia succeeded in having this market’s climate classification reviewed to enable the introduction in March of the previously withheld Kodiaq RS with its 176kW/500Nm 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine.
The Superb Scout will be the first Volkswagen Group vehicle on sale in this market with a petrol particulate filter, to be followed shortly by the Karoq 140TSI Sportline.
This particulate filter can withstand petrol with 50 parts per million of sulphur, but it must be understood that these cars can run only on Premium Unleaded,” Mr Irmer said.
“At point of sale the vehicles will feature mirror hangers emphasising this point. Additionally, we have developed high visibility fuel cap stickers. Sales teams will reinforce this message. Our view is that all Australian motorists would benefit by the mandating of Premium petrol as standard.”
Some of you will recall that when manufacturers were phasing in the more efficient common rail diesels, some decided to delay the introduction until Australia’s diesel fuel was of an acceptable standard.
Since it is reasonable to assume most new European models will, like the Škoda Superb, meet the European standards, they will probably all need to be fitted with a particulate filter, at least until such time as Australian fuels meet European requirements regarding the sulphur content.
We questioned our Škoda contact about the possible outcome if an owner used 91 RON fuel (either accidentally or intentionally) and the response was, “It could potentially damage the engine, as the increased sulphur particles from the dodgy fuel could damage the filter – that’s why the dealers have so much material for customers on this.”
Something else to keep in mind when considering a new car.