How to drive a turbocharged car?

Do you drive a turbocharged car? You need to know that the turbine does not tolerate bad handling. And that its failure can seriously damage your budget ... Find out how to use a car equipped with a turbocharger, learn about its weak points and save several thousand PLN on possible repairs.

What will you learn from this post?

• What to remember when driving a turbocharged car?
• Why is regular oil change so important in turbocharged engines?

Shortly speaking

A turbocharger is a device that is ingenious in its simplicity - it corny allows you to increase the power and torque of the engine. Although turbines are designed to last the lifetime of the drive, reality often does not match the designer's assumptions. Drivers are mostly to blame. The most common cause of turbocharger failure is poor driving style and irregular engine oil and filter changes.

Do not start the engine when starting

The turbocharger is a highly loaded element. Its main part - the rotor - rotates. at a speed of up to 200-250 thousand revolutions per minute... To emphasize the scale of this number, let's just mention that the petrol engine has a speed of 10 RPM ... And it's still very hot. The exhaust gas flows through the turbine. the temperature exceeds several hundred degrees Celsius.

You can see for yourself - a turbocharger is not easy. So that she can work it needs to be constantly lubricated and cooled... This is provided by engine oil, which, under high pressure, flows through the sleeve bearings that support the rotors, creating an oil film on all moving parts.

So remember about warming up the turbocharger before takeoff... Do not drive off immediately after starting the engine, but wait 20-30 seconds. This is enough for the oil to reach all the nooks and crannies of the lubrication system and protect the turbine components from friction. During this time, you can fasten your seat belts, activate your favorite playlist, or find sunglasses in the back of the glove box. In the first few minutes of driving, try not to exceed 2000-2500 rpm... As a result, the engine warms up normally and the oil acquires optimal properties.

Do not turn off a hot engine

The delayed response principle also applies to drive immobilization. Upon arrival, do not turn off the engine immediately – let it cool down for half a minute, especially after a dynamic ride. When exiting the freeway into a parking lot or arriving at your destination on a steep mountain road, slow down slowly by lowering the engine speed. Switching off the drive results in an immediate shutdown of the oil supply. If you suddenly turn off the engine with an accelerating turbine, its rotor will spin for a few more seconds almost “dry” on the remnants of the oil film. Moreover, oil that gets stuck in hot pipes quickly carbonizesclog channels and promote carbon buildup.

Smart solution to protect the turbocharger from jamming - turbo timer... This is a device that delays stopping the engine. You can remove the ignition key, get out and lock the car - the turbo timer will keep the drive running for a certain programmed time, such as a minute, and then turn it off. However, this does not make it easier for thieves. Does not interfere with alarm or immobilizer operation – when the anti-theft systems detect attempts to enter the car, turn off the ignition.

If your car has a start / stop system, remember to turn it off when you plan to drive dynamically, such as on a highway. Sudden engine stop while waiting at a gate or exit heavy load on the turbocharger. Manufacturers are gradually realizing this - more and more modern cars are equipped with a mechanism that does not allow the engine to turn off when the turbine temperature is too high.

Smart with eco-friendly driving

One of the goals of the introduction of turbochargers was to reduce fuel consumption and harmful emissions. The problem is that turbo charging and eco-driving don't always go hand in hand. Especially when economical driving means low revs even under heavy load. The soot that falls out then maybe block the rotor bladeswhich regulate the flow of exhaust gases, which disrupts the operation of the turbocharger. If your car is equipped with a DPF filter, do not forget to regularly burn soot - its clogging will sooner or later lead to failure of the turbine.

Replace filters regularly

Proper use is one thing. Caring is also important. Replace the air filter regularly. Yes, this small element is of great importance for the health of the turbine. If it is clogged, the efficiency of the turbocharger is reduced. If, on the other hand, it does not fulfill its function and allows dirt particles to pass through, the dirt particles can enter the turbocharger mechanisms. In an element that rotates 2000 times per minute, even a small pebble can damage it.

Save the oil

Who does not lubricate, does not drive. In supercharged cars, this phrase, popular among drivers, is especially common. Proper lubrication is the basis for maintaining full turbocharger efficiency. If the sleeve bearing is not properly covered with a film of oil, it will quickly seize. An expensive spot.

Close observe oil change intervals. Don't let anyone tell you that you can extend it to 20 or 30 thousand kilometers with impunity. What you save on less frequent lubricant changes, you will spend on regeneration or replacement of the turbine - and more than that. Recycled oil full of impurities does not protect moving engine parts. Turbocharged drives also like to drink oil sometimes. - This is not surprising. Therefore, check its level from time to time and replenish its level if necessary.

Always use the oil specified by the manufacturer. It is important. Oils for turbocharged vehicles must have certain characteristics - the appropriate viscosity and fluidity, or high resistance to the formation of high-temperature deposits... Only then can you be sure that they will reach every nook and cranny of the lubrication system at the right time and create an optimum thickness of oil film on all parts.

Driving a turbocharged car is pure pleasure. On one condition - if the whole mechanism is working. Now you know how to drive your car so you don't overload your turbocharger, so it will be easier for you to keep it in good shape for a long, long time. Especially if you look at avtotachki.com - we have engine oils for you from the best manufacturers that will provide optimal operating conditions for the turbine.

Check the following turbocharger series entry ➡ 6 signs of turbocharger malfunction.

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