So, lets look at the best way to look after your vehicle (body) with the government recommended protocol via your local NHS service centre.
Firstly if its not running great, its starting to blow fumes out of the exhaust and its maybe not looking the same mean machine as it was in your 20's we need to think about the air filter, fuel system and exhaust system.
The current NHS recommendation for your cars respiration seems to be just driving it more regularly (move more), maybe even give it a hard blast up the motorway (join a gym, do zumba, aerobics), if thats not enough see if the motorway (treadmill) has an incline that could increase the intensity even more. The higher your get the MPH (BPM) on the cars speedometer (heart rate monitor) and the longer you keep it there the better the results apparently.
However, at the independent garage we think those recommendations are a bit retarded, its important that if your cars not running right that we go back to basics, unblocking the air filter and ensuring it can breath at idle.
Your independent garage will check the quality of fuel, check the fuel is correct for your engine and ensure you use adequate fuel for your journey, which includes making regular stops to fill up before you run out rather than waiting till the warning light comes on.
After this the independent garage will ensure that the fuel is being absorbed efficiently, if not they will endeavor to repair the problem as opposed the the NHS method of treating it with chemical additives (pharmaceuticals).
Here at your local independent service centre we suggest once again looking at the quality of fuel used and checking fuel absorption etc.
Next time your car or body is in need of repair work have a think about what it really needs. Does it need pushing harder with less fuel or manmade fuels? Or does it need specific testing to find out the real issues?