Amar Joshi

•22w

I am seeking expert advice on DPF management for the Mahindra 3XO Diesel AT, as my daily usage is 13 km each way in heavy Powai traffic in Mumbai. How often should I drive on the highway, and what are the ideal speed or RPM range, trip distance, and monthly frequency required to ensure effective soot regeneration?

Autocar India

•22w

Yes, you are right, your short drive in Mumbai traffic won’t allow the diesel particulate filter (DPF) of Mahindra XUV 3XO to reach the temperatures. It needs to ‘light-off or regenerate properly to burn off the soot which will accumulate in your DPF and trigger a malfunction warning.

The way to raise the exhaust temperature and subsequently heat the DPF to its ‘light-off’ point is to run the engine under a steady load. You should plan a long drive at least once a month, with around half an hour of continuous driving at around 50-60kph.

Use a gear that keeps the engine between 2,000 to 2,500 rpm and drive steadily without hard acceleration or braking.

The aim is to drive consistently so that the exhaust temperatures can stabilise and you can complete the regeneration process without interruption. Since you live in Powai, the Eastern Expressway is not far away and can be a convenient stretch for you to clear your DPF periodically.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

More questions on similar cars

Pratyush

•4d

I am planning to purchase a primarily sub-4 metre automatic SUV for tax-saving purposes under the BH series registration. We are expecting a baby soon, so the car will mainly be used by a family of three, with occasional travel involving four people. I have already test driven the Skoda Kylaq, Mahindra XUV 3XO, and Maruti Brezza. While I am not a driving enthusiast by nature, I found the Brezza’s pick-up and acceleration above 70 km/h somewhat underwhelming. I loved almost everything about the Kylaq except for the AC performance, which feels like a major drawback for Indian summers and traffic conditions. As for the XUV 3XO, I have come across mixed reviews regarding high-speed stability and after-sales service, although I personally did not feel any issues during the test drive. My priorities are: Good fuel efficiency Comfortable city usability (monthly running around 600–800 km in Hyderabad) Performance and highway capability for 2-3 long trips annually Strong safety credentials Decent long-term maintenance costs and peace of mind ownership Good warranty and service packages My budget is around ₹14-15 lakh and can be stretched slightly if required. I am also open to considering sedans like the Honda City or slightly larger SUVs like the Honda Elevate if they make more sense overall. Could you please suggest the best option for my requirements?

Autocar India

•3h

Mostly city use in Hyderabad and a few long trips - in that brief, the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic fits you best among your picks. It pulls strongly when you need to pass, so you won’t face the same dull pick-up you felt in the Brezza, and it stays steady at highway speeds. The AC cools the cabin quickly, and the rear seat is shaped well for a child seat with one adult beside it.A few watch-outs: the boot is not very big, so check whether your stroller fits. It also lacks ventilated seats, which is something you might want. Alternatively, consider the Kia Syros if you want a roomier cabin and a bigger boot.If a Honda Elevate fits your budget, it would be a better choice than the sub-4 metre SUVs, but you might have to opt for a lower trim and miss out on some features. Overall, the Mahindra is a good fit for your needs.

Suyog

I want to buy a car under Rs 12 lakh, automatic, mainly for city use in Mumbai, with occasional intercity trips 3-4 times a year. It should be reliable and comfortable for 4-5 adults.

Autocar India

•15h

The Hyundai i20 IVT is one of the best fits for Mumbai city driving. The IVT automatic is extremely smooth in traffic, the cabin feels genuinely premium, reliability is strong, and it is comfortable enough for four adults while still being easy to park and manoeuvre in the city.If you prefer a sedan, the Honda Amaze CVT is a good choice too. The CVT is smooth, Honda’s reliability reputation is excellent, and the rear-seat comfort is better than the i20 if you regularly travel with four to five adults. It also feels more relaxed on occasional highway trips.If rear-seat space and overall width for five passengers matter more, then the Mahindra XUV 3XO automatic is worth considering, even if it means choosing a lower variant. It feels more substantial, has a wider rear bench and is more comfortable for five adults than the i20 or Amaze. The downside is that it will not feel as feature rich as the i20 or Amaze, and fuel efficiency is not as strong either.

Sweety

Hi, I am planning to buy a car for 10 to 12 lacs. I am confused, I should buy diesel or petrol, my daily running is 50 kms, including city and highway drive, and on weekends, there can be highway trips as well. Due to the DPF issue, I am confused whether I should buy a diesel car or not. Also, please suggest the best car, I am planning Sonet HTK plus or Mahindra 3xo AX5.

Autocar India

•1d

With 50 km a day, a mix of city and highway driving, plus weekend trips, petrol is the safer pick for you. It avoids DPF worries. Modern diesels work fine if you do steady highway runs for 15-20 minutes a few times a week, but if your driving is often slow and short, the filter can clog, and you will see warnings.Between your two choices, pick the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 petrol. It fits your budget and usage better because its turbo-petrol engine feels stronger on highways, so overtaking is easy even with passengers and bags. It also rides well over rough patches and feels steady at speed, which suits your weekend runs. In the city, it is easy to drive and not hard to park. If you are opting for the automatic, the torque-converter gearbox in the 3XO shifts smoothly and makes city driving stress-free.Know the trade-offs. The 3XO’s boot is not the biggest, so fitting two large suitcases plus extra bags may be tight.If you mostly drive in the city and carry a lot of luggage, the Kia Sonet HTK Plus petrol is the better alternative. Overall, for your mix, the 3XO AX5 petrol lines up best.

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I am planning to buy my first EV, but I am confused between the BMW iX1 and BYD Sealion 7. Can you suggest which car is better in terms of comfort and technology?

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I am planning to buy the Honda City facelift that was launched yesterday. How does it compare with the Volkswagen Virtus? I am also assuming that the government will continue supporting E20 fuel even if E85 is introduced in the future. So, is it still safe to buy a petrol vehicle in Delhi/NCR?

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My newly purchased Grand Vitara base model mileage is only 11KPL. What is the actual KPL?

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