{"id":27479,"date":"2026-10-24T00:16:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T23:16:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cathive.co.uk\/?p=27479"},"modified":"2026-10-24T00:16:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T23:16:39","slug":"anti-pollution-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cathive.co.uk\/de\/blog\/anti-pollution-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Abgassystem pr\u00fcfen: Was die Warnung bedeutet und was zu tun ist"},"content":{"rendered":"

What does „Check anti-pollution system“ mean?<\/strong> It means the engine computer has found a fault in the equipment that cleans your vehicle’s exhaust. On Renault and Dacia models such as the Clio, Megane and Jogger, the handbook says the message „indicates a fault in the vehicle’s particle filter system“, and a fault in the AdBlue „emissions reduction system“ when the reagent tank warning light comes on with it1<\/a>,3<\/a>,4<\/a><\/sup>. On the 2014\u20132019 Renault Trafic it covers the whole „emission control system“2<\/a><\/sup>. Renault’s advice is to „drive very carefully“ to a dealer „as soon as possible“, because ignoring it risks damaging the vehicle1<\/a>,2<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n

The message names a system, not a part. The fault code stored in the engine computer says which part is at fault, and only some codes point to the catalytic converter or the diesel particulate filter (DPF). Peugeot and Citro\u00ebn owners often know the same warning as an „anti-pollution fault“, from the French antipollution<\/em>: where Peugeot’s French handbook says „Le syst\u00e8me d’antipollution est d\u00e9faillant“, the English edition says „The emission control system has a fault“5<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Below: what to do first, what the warning means on each make, how urgent it is, the MOT, how to find the cause, and what to do if the catalytic converter or DPF really has failed.<\/p>\n

What to do when the warning comes on<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Look at the engine warning light.<\/strong> If it is steady, have the vehicle checked soon. If it flashes, ease off: keep the engine speed down until it stops flashing1<\/a>,2<\/a><\/sup>. Peugeot, Citro\u00ebn and Vauxhall handbooks link a flashing light to a risk of damaging the catalytic converter5<\/a>,8<\/a>,9<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n
  2. On a Renault diesel, check which lights are on.<\/strong> If the message comes up together with the emissions warning light and the general warning light, the handbook says to consult a dealer immediately1<\/a>,2<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n
  3. Stop if the vehicle tells you to.<\/strong> A stop warning, such as „WARNING: Engine Failure Risk“ on a Renault Clio or the STOP lamp on a Peugeot, means stop as soon as it is safe and call a dealer1<\/a>,5<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n
  4. Have the fault codes read<\/strong> with a diagnostic tool, and note every code, not only the first.<\/li>\n
  5. Don’t buy a part until the codes point to it.<\/strong> A new catalytic converter or DPF won’t cure a misfire, a sensor or an AdBlue fault.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    What the warning means on each make<\/h2>\n

    The wording differs by make and model, and so does what the warning covers. These are the manufacturers‘ own descriptions, from their handbooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Make and handbook<\/th>\nWhat you see<\/th>\nWhat the handbook says it means<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Renault Clio (2023\u20132025 handbook), Renault Megane (2015\u20132019), Dacia Jogger (2025\u20132026)<\/td>\n„Check anti-pollution system“<\/td>\n„A fault in the vehicle’s particle filter system“; with the reagent tank warning light, a fault in the emissions reduction (AdBlue) system1<\/a>,3<\/a>,4<\/a><\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Renault Trafic (2014\u20132019)<\/td>\n„Check antipollution system“<\/td>\n„A fault in the vehicle’s emission control system“; with the reagent tank warning light, the emissions reduction system2<\/a><\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Renault (the models above)<\/td>\nThe emissions warning light, which Renault calls the „toxic fume filter system“ warning light<\/td>\nSteady: consult a dealer „as soon as possible“. Flashing: „reduce the engine speed until the light stops flashing“1<\/a>,2<\/a><\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Peugeot 207 (2009 handbook) and 208 (2015\u20132017)<\/td>\nThe engine warning lamp<\/td>\nSteady: „The emission control system has a fault.“ Flashing: „The engine management system has a fault“, with a „risk of destruction of the catalytic converter“5<\/a>,6<\/a><\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Peugeot and Citro\u00ebn BlueHDi diesels<\/td>\n„Emissions fault“ (in French, „D\u00e9faut antipollution“)<\/td>\nA fault in the SCR (AdBlue) emissions control system; once the fault is confirmed, a countdown, then the engine can’t be started5<\/a>,8<\/a><\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Citro\u00ebn C3 (2010 handbook)<\/td>\nThe „depollution system“ warning lamp<\/td>\nFlashing or on while driving: „a problem with the depollution system“7<\/a><\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Citro\u00ebn Berlingo (2016\u20132017)<\/td>\nThe „EOBD emission control system“ lamp<\/td>\nFlashing or on: „a failure of the system“, with „a risk of damage to the catalytic converter“8<\/a><\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Vauxhall Vivaro (2014 handbook)<\/td>\nThe malfunction indicator light (no „anti-pollution“ message)<\/td>\nSteady: „Fault in the emission control system“. Flashing: „Fault that could lead to catalytic converter damage“9<\/a><\/sup><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Petrol engines can have a particle filter too. Renault’s Clio handbook says it „is used in the treatment of exhaust gases from petrol engines“1<\/a><\/sup>, so „Check anti-pollution system“ is not only a diesel warning. More in what is a GPF?<\/a><\/p>\n

    Steady or flashing: how urgent is it?<\/h2>\n

    A flashing light is the urgent one.<\/strong> Renault asks you to reduce the engine speed until it stops flashing, then contact a dealer1<\/a>,2<\/a><\/sup>. Peugeot warns of a „risk of destruction of the catalytic converter“5<\/a>,6<\/a><\/sup>, and Vauxhall’s Vivaro handbook says „Ease up on the accelerator until the flashing stops“ and get a workshop’s help immediately9<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n

    The reason is written into the type-approval rules: the warning light must give a distinct warning, such as flashing, whenever the engine misfires at a level likely to damage the catalytic converter10<\/a><\/sup>. Renault’s handbook lists what can cause it: „a faulty ignition system, running out of fuel or disconnected spark plugs resulting in the engine misfiring“ can make the catalytic converter overheat, which „may irreparably damage it“1<\/a><\/sup>. Unburned fuel that reaches the converter ignites inside it and can make its core overheat and melt13<\/a><\/sup>. A new converter fitted before the misfire is fixed would go the same way.<\/p>\n

    A steady light can wait a little, but not for months.<\/strong> Renault says to consult a dealer as soon as possible1<\/a>,2<\/a><\/sup>; Peugeot says that if the lamp stays on after the engine starts, contact a dealer or qualified workshop „without delay“5<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n

    Can I keep driving?<\/h2>\n

    Usually as far as a garage, carefully: that is what the handbooks ask1<\/a>,2<\/a><\/sup>. Three things change that:<\/p>\n