What is the engine oil for a turbocharged car?

A turbocharger is a device that operates under extremely difficult conditions. For this reason, it requires proper care, especially regular lubrication. The first best quality motor oil, bought quickly at a gas station, may not be suitable. To avoid costly problems with a turbine, choose one that has special parameters. Which? Find out in our post!

What will you learn from this post?

• Should a special engine oil be used in a turbocharged vehicle?
• Why is frequent oil changes so important in turbocharged vehicles?

Shortly speaking

Which oil to use in a turbocharged car? As recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. However, if possible, it is worth choosing a synthetic oil, which provides much better protection of all elements of the lubrication system than mineral oil. Firstly, it is more resistant to high temperatures, which is of great importance for the condition of the turbocharger, which heats up to 300 degrees Celsius. Under the influence of such intense heat, low-quality oil can oxidize. This leads to the formation of deposits that clog the turbine lubrication passages.

The hard life of a turbocharger

For you to enjoy the acceleration of the turbo, your car's turbo needs to work hard. This is the element heavily loaded - the rotor, the main element of the turbine, rotates at a speed of 200-250 thousand revolutions per minute. This is a huge number - its scale is best illustrated by a comparison with the engine speed, which reaches "only" 10 XNUMX. This is also a problem extreme heat... The turbocharger is powered by exhaust gases passing through it, so it is constantly exposed to temperatures reaching several hundred degrees Celsius.

Not enough details? The first entry in the series on turbocharging was dedicated to the operation of a turbocharger ➡ How does a turbocharger work?

Fortunately, the turbo can count on your support in this tough job. Both from high temperatures and from abrasion due to high loads protected by engine oil... Due to the high pressure, it passes through the plain bearing supporting the rotor and covers the moving parts with a layer of oil film, reducing the frictional forces acting on them. What parameters should engine oil have, to ensure adequate lubrication of the turbocharger?

Turbine oil? Almost always synthetic

Of course, the most important criteria you should follow when choosing an engine oil are: vehicle manufacturer recommendations – and take them into account first. If permitted, use in a turbocharged vehicle. synthetic oil.

Synthetics are currently the top league in motor oils, although they are still under development. They are used in most new cars. They stand out higher viscosity than their mineral counterparts, which means they more accurately cover and protect the moving parts of the engine. They remain fluid at low temperatures, making it easier to start the engine in cold weather, and at the same time they do not lose their properties at high temperatures and under heavy load on the drive. Thanks to refining and dispersing additives, they are additionally packed keep the engine cleanwashing out impurities from it and protection against corrosion.

The most important quality a turbocharged engine oil should have is resistance to high temperature deposits... The heat generated during turbocharger operation causes the lubricant to oxidize. As a result of this process, various types of sediments are deposited. Their accumulation can be dangerous because can clog the turbine lubrication passageslimiting the oil supply. And when the rotor, rotating 200 times a minute, runs out of lubrication ... The results are easy to imagine. Repairing a stuck turbocharger costs up to several thousand zlotys.

The most important thing is to change the oil regularly.

Although synthetic oils wear out more slowly than mineral oils and retain their properties longer, they should not be extended indefinitely. Replace them as recommended by the manufacturer - every 10-15 km of run. Even the best and most expensive oil will not provide adequate protection for lubrication system components when overused. Also check its level regularly, as it happens that turbocharged units like to "drink" a little grease and may need to be topped up.

There is probably not a single driver who does not like this effect of a soft press on the seat when turbocharged. In order for the entire mechanism to work flawlessly for many years, it must be properly looked after. Luckily, it's easy - just pour the right motor oil on it. You can find it at avtotachki.com. And in our blog, you will learn how to drive a turbocharged car - after all, the right driving style also matters.