Mercedes Mullins
Turbocharged engines are very popular, with one in three vehicles coming with turbos straight from the factory. However, many people are unaware of the proper maintenance and driving habits required to ensure the turbo has a long life. One of the worst things you can do to your turbo is to get into boost hard before oil temperatures are warmed up. This can cause engine knocking, which will harm parts of the engine from the constant rattling. It is also important to let the turbo cool down before turning off the ignition, as the hot oil can damage the internal components of your turbocharger.
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What You'll Learn
Allow the engine to warm up before driving
Allowing your engine to warm up before driving is an important step in ensuring the longevity of your car, especially if it is a turbocharged vehicle. While modern engines are generally lubricated within 20 to 30 seconds of turning the ignition, warming up your engine before driving can help prevent excessive wear and tear on its internal components. This is because the motor oil in your engine takes a few minutes to warm up and circulate, lubricating the engine's critical components, including the turbo's bearings.
Warming up your engine is especially important in colder temperatures or when your engine is cold. In these cases, it is recommended to let your engine idle for a few minutes before driving. This will help the oil reach the temperature needed to lubricate the engine's moving parts properly. However, it is important to note that extended idling can waste fuel and generate emissions, so it is best to keep the warming-up period brief.
If you are driving a turbocharged vehicle, it is crucial to let the oil cool down before turning off the ignition. Turbos run extremely hot, and if you shut the car off too quickly, the hot oil can damage the internal components of your turbocharger. Additionally, the exhaust will remain in the turbo, which can cause corrosion. To avoid this, drive gently for the last minute or two of your trip, and let the car idle for at least 60 seconds afterward to allow the oil to continue circulating and cool down.
Aggressive driving and acceleration can also prematurely wear down the internal components of a turbocharged engine, including the turbo, and negatively impact fuel economy. Therefore, it is important to drive gently and smoothly, especially during the first few minutes of driving, to allow the engine and turbo to warm up gradually.
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Avoid aggressive driving
Turbocharged engines are now commonplace, with one in three vehicles leaving the factory with turbos. However, many drivers are unaware of the proper driving habits required to ensure their turbo has a long life. One of the most important things to avoid is aggressive driving. While careful driving is important for all engines, it is especially crucial for turbocharged vehicles. Here are some reasons why you should avoid aggressive driving and tips to help you adapt your driving style:
Engine Wear and Tear
Aggressive driving can prematurely wear down the internal components of your engine, including the turbo. This is because turbos run extremely hot, and aggressive driving can lead to overheating. Before driving, always warm up your engine and let it cool down post-drive. This allows the motor oil to warm up, lubricate, and protect the internal components. By driving aggressively, you may also experience lugging, which is driving at low speeds in a higher gear than necessary. Lugging can cause poor fuel mileage, slow acceleration, and the formation of carbon deposits in the turbo, leading to clogging.
Fuel Economy
Aggressive driving can significantly reduce your fuel economy, slashing it by 10 to 40 percent. Turbos are designed to improve fuel economy, but aggressive driving negates this benefit. Mashing the throttle will waste fuel and may lead to clogging in the engine and combustion chamber. Harder acceleration will also overwork the engine and the turbo, causing rapid wear and tear. Instead, drive with steady power and maintain constant pressure on the gas pedal to allow the turbo to supply the necessary burst.
Engine Knock
Aggressive driving can lead to engine knock, which occurs when the air-fuel mixture doesn't burn evenly in the cylinders. This can damage pistons and other internal components. Using regular fuel in a turbocharged engine can also contribute to engine knock. For the best performance and fuel economy, high-octane fuel is recommended for turbocharged vehicles.
Oil Temperature and Lubrication
Aggressive driving can cause excessive boost pressure, leading to turbo overspin and potential failure. It is crucial to maintain optimal oil temperature and lubrication for your turbocharger to function effectively. Before driving, ensure the engine reaches the optimum temperature, and keep an eye on the engine temperature gauge while driving. Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 seconds to a minute before switching off the ignition to prevent severe damage to the internal turbine.
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Don't use regular fuel
Turbocharged engines are now commonplace, with one in three vehicles leaving the factory with turbos. However, many owners are unaware of the proper maintenance and driving habits required to ensure a long life for their turbo.
One of the most important things to remember is to avoid using regular fuel in a turbocharged engine. While it is usually possible to use regular fuel without any immediate problems, it can lead to engine knock, which occurs when the air-fuel mixture doesn't burn evenly in the cylinders. This can cause serious damage to pistons and other internal components. Engine knock can also void the manufacturer's warranty on luxury cars that require premium fuel. For the best performance and fuel economy, high-octane fuel is recommended.
In addition to using the correct fuel, there are several other steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your turbo. Firstly, always ensure the engine is warmed up before driving, as cold engines are highly susceptible to wear and tear. Driving at low RPM for the first few kilometres can help with this. It is also important to let the engine idle for at least 30 seconds to a minute before turning off the ignition, to prevent the oil from becoming too hot to properly lubricate the engine. Finally, avoid aggressive driving, which can prematurely wear down internal components and reduce fuel economy.
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Don't cut the engine suddenly
Turbocharged engines are now commonplace, with one in three vehicles leaving the factory with turbos. However, many drivers are unaware of the proper driving habits required to ensure a long life for their turbo engine. One of the worst things you can do when driving a turbocharged vehicle is to cut the engine suddenly.
Turbochargers run extremely hot, and the engine oil can burn and lose its properties. If you turn off the engine suddenly, the exhaust gases remain trapped inside the charger, which can quickly destroy the engine and reduce its lifespan. The hot oil can also damage the internal components of your turbocharger. The oil needs to be allowed to cool down to a temperature that allows it to stick to the metal and lubricate it. This is especially important if you have been driving at high speeds for a long period, as the exhaust will remain in the turbo and may cause corrosion.
To avoid this, you should always allow the engine to idle for at least 30 seconds, and up to a couple of minutes, before switching off the ignition. This gives the oil time to cool and circulate, and your turbo will cool down. If your car has 'stop-start' technology, disable it in this instance.
Another reason to avoid cutting the engine suddenly is to avoid engine knock. This is when the air-fuel mixture doesn't burn evenly in the cylinders, which can damage the pistons and other internal components.
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Don't pump the gas pedal
Turbocharged engines are now commonplace, with one in three vehicles leaving the factory with turbos already installed. While turbos improve horsepower, torque, fuel economy, and drivability, they do come with certain risks. One of the most important things to remember when driving a turbocharged vehicle is not to pump the gas pedal.
Pumping the gas pedal, or mashing the throttle, is when a driver rapidly presses and releases the gas pedal in an attempt to maintain a certain speed. This is usually done at low speeds in a high gear. While this may help a driver maintain a certain speed, it is detrimental to turbocharged engines. By pumping the gas pedal, a driver allows more fuel and air into the combustion chamber. This can lead to clogging in the engine and combustion chamber. Harder acceleration will also overwork the engine and the turbo, causing rapid wear and tear on these parts.
It is important to remain consistent when driving a turbocharged vehicle, as steady power will create a manageable workload for the car's parts. If your vehicle is not creating as much of a boost as you would like, it is best to wait as you maintain constant pressure on the gas pedal. The turbo may take a moment to supply the burst, depending on your acceleration and whether you are slowing down to make a turn and then speeding up.
Additionally, it is important to remember that turbos run extremely hot. Thus, it is crucial to let the oil cool down before turning off the ignition. If you do not let the oil cool down, it can damage the internal components of your turbocharger. It can also reduce oil viscosity and oil life.
In conclusion, while pumping the gas pedal may help a driver maintain a certain speed, it is detrimental to turbocharged engines and should be avoided. Instead, turbocharged vehicles require careful and consistent driving to ensure the long-term health of the engine and its parts.
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Frequently asked questions
Filling a turbocharged engine while the car is running can cause engine knock, which occurs when the air-fuel mixture doesn't burn evenly in the cylinders. This can damage the pistons and other internal components of your vehicle.
Quality fuel is always the best option when filling up your tank to ensure the engine runs smoothly. For the best performance and fuel economy, high-octane fuel is recommended.
Warm up your engine before driving and let it cool down after driving. This allows the motor oil to lubricate the internal components, including the turbo's bearings.
