480A BMW Fault Code: What Do You Need to Know About It?

BMW vehicles are known for their comfort and great emotions when driving. But sometimes, these vehicles still provide us with so many problems and so expensive repairs that we start hating them. This is especially common for BMW cars that are older than 10 years and have some miles on them. Those ones will not be reliable and will gradually make you fall out of love with Bimmers.

480A code highlights

• Level of urgency:Low
• Possible culprits:DPF, emission sensors, exhaust anomalies
• Price for repair:$100 - $950
• If neglected:Further DPF damage, no chance to pass the emission test
• DIY repairs:Possible in some vehicles
• Can you drive?Yes

480A code in your BMW - what does it mean?

So, things are going great and you are driving your favorite Bimmer across the city roads with a smile on your face. Most likely, you've just left the repair shop after another costly repair and are now hoping that your BMW will give you some time to get more pleasure from driving and not thinking about some new repairs. But suddenly the check engine light comes on.

Where is that smile? Old BMWs always do that - this is not a secret and any Bimmer owner will tell you that. But they still love these cars for their comfort, power, and exclusive looks. So, with a shaking hand, you take your old code scanner and connect it to the car. The scanner shows the 480A code (which is basically the same as 481A). What's this?

This code means the following:

• there is a problem with the DPF (diesel particulate filter);
• this error can only appear in the diesel-powered car;
• the DPF may be clogged, damaged, or just work inefficiently;
• the sensors that control the DPF register abnormal readings;
• your exhaust gas is out of the normal ecology level.

So, this means that the DPF doesn't filter your exhaust gas, and some amount of toxic elements and particles can get into the air. This means that the vehicle will show the check engine light until you resolve the situation. Unfortunately, resolving this issue is not really that simple and cheap. In some cases, you can have the DPF cleaned, but when this code shows up, mostly it will mean that the DPF needs more attention.

We should say that the ecology equipment in your old and high-mileage BMW is one of the strongest headaches you will get with this vehicle. Some people even decide to sell their Bimmers when they understand how much money they actually need to repair the problem.

Why are DPFs so vulnerable in your diesel BMW?

It's not only about the vulnerability of the filter. It's also about the mileage and age of the vehicle. Any car with a DPF can show problems after it reaches 150,000 miles and more. Also, vehicles that have been hitting the roads for more than 15 years usually have issues with DPFs. So, this is just something that has to be considered in any older BMW with a diesel engine.

DPFs are made to filter exhaust gases and gather some particles to make the exhaust cleaner. But these particles clog the filter over time.

Here are some reasons why DPFs may clog faster and worse in some cars:

• you only drive in the city traffic - when your engine doesn't rotate over 3000 RPM, the DPF can't clean automatically and will get clogged sooner;
• there is a problem with the DPF itself - sometimes, the insides of the filter can be damaged and this will lead to faster clogging;
• there is a sensor problem - the 480A error code may also mean that some of the sensors in the ecology systems of your vehicle are crazy and needs replacement;
• a lot of particles in the exhaust - if the engine works incorrectly, there will be a lot of particles in its exhaust and the DPF will clog much faster;
• the DPF has too many miles on it - the average BMW DPF will survive for about 120-150 thousand miles, after that it will need proper cleaning or replacement.

If you buy cheap diesel fuel and drive aggressively, your engine has problems with the ignition system, you will get more problems with the DPF and its systems. This means that the more TLC your car gets from you, the fewer chances for a bad DPF you will get from it.

It's not only about the proper maintenance but also about everyday things and decisions you take about your vehicle. Buy good diesel fuel, have the engine inspected and diagnosed once a year, and address all problems immediately. This will help you avoid premature death of your diesel particulate filter and will obviously save you some money.

What are some other symptoms of clogged DPF?

The 480A code is not the only thing that will change in your vehicle when the DPF is dead or clogged. Your BMW will most likely change the way it runs and this will get on your nerves.

First of all, you should notice these symptoms:

• the vehicle will lose some power and will go slower than usual;
• the throttle response will be worse and you will feel some kind of delay when you press the gas pedal;
• the engine and the exhaust will smell like something is burning under the hood;
• also, the clogged BMW DPF will affect the fuel economy - the car will burn more diesel fuel;
• another problem is that you will see some fog from the exhaust pipe if the case is too bad.

The check engine light and all of those symptoms are clear signs that the DPF is deadly clogged. This will not allow you to drive your BMW with pleasure. The only thing you can do is repair your vehicle until it stalls and doesn't start again.

The engine should breathe freely. And if some part like a DPF is clogged, the engine just can't get rid of exhaust products. This affects its work in a very direct way.

How can you deal with the clogged DPF in your BMW?

If your scanner reads the 480A code, you will most likely need to have your vehicle repaired in the shop. We don't see any DIY solutions, especially for an old car. But you can try one thing:

• stop your vehicle safely and turn off the engine;
• wait for 5-10 minutes and turn the engine on again;
• see if the error code is gone - this may help for some time.

If this doesn't work, you may try another DIY solution (at least a temporary solution):

• drive your vehicle on the highway with a good speed limit;
• press the accelerator to the floor and let the engine rotate at high RPM for some time;
• if you have the automatic transmission, you can put it into third or fourth gear and rotate the engine over 4000 RPM;
• this will allow you to clean the DPF and ensure it works for some more time;
• after that, stop your vehicle, turn off the engine, and wait for 5-10 minutes before you start it again.

If this doesn't help, the only possible solution is to go to the specialists and let them work with your vehicle. Unfortunately, all other solutions are going to cost you some money.

Solving the issue in repair shops

If you have done all the DIY things you could come up with but nothing helped you get rid of the 480A code in your BMW, it's time to go to the repair shop. Choose a dealer or a specialized BMW shop because they know a lot about DPFs in BMW cars and will help you get rid of the issue much faster.

So, they will have two options: cleaning the DPF with all methods they have in their arsenals or just replacing the DPF. The OEM DPF will cost thousands of dollars, it's a really valuable part with some precious metals in it. You can go with an aftermarket filter but it won't be durable enough.

If cleaning is an option in your case, you are lucky and won't need to spend thousands on the new DPF. But professional cleaning is also going to cost you some money.

How can you prevent the DPF error code in BMW?

If you don't want to see the 480A code in your BMW, you should do the following:

• always use only proper oil in your engine and never experiment with cheap lubricants;
• have the injection system checked every time your vehicle is on regular maintenance;
• have the DPF checked at least every two years;
• address all the minor problems with your BMW engine immediately;
• stay away from any cheap diesel fuel;
• if your engine starts burning some oil, repair it until it kills the DPF.

These small tips will help you prolong the life of your old BMW and avoid this nasty 480A code in your vehicle.