We aren't using our diesel car enough during lockdown. Can we do anything to prolong the time before problems start?

We have a BMW X3 diesel, which we have had for five years. It's a 2012 model with 65,000 miles on the clock. Understandably, we have only done 3000 miles this year, mostly short trips and are quite obviously not using it enough. Are there measures we can take to prolong the time before serious problems occur? The car is pristine and we really don't want to sell until hybrids or electric cars come into our price range.

Asked on 13 April 2021 by

Answered by Andrew Brady
Take it for a good motorway run (with 20-30 minutes of prolonged high revs) every few hundred miles (every time you fill up with fuel, for example). Using a treatment like Redex DPF cleaner is probably a good idea, too. If your car's DPF warning light illuminates, the filter is blocked and will require attention from a mechanic.
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