Oxidation of soot in loose contact with a catalyst is significantly enhanced by NO2. Loose contact oxidation by NO2 has a volcano-type dependence on bond strength of oxygen on the surface. Addition of NO2 and loose contact with FeCr2Ox shifts oxidation down by ≥200 °C. For soot in tight contact with a Co3O4 catalyst hardly any effect of NO2. Limited effect on oxidation in tight contact consistent with Mars van Krevelen mechanism.