What Are the Five Major Taboos of Turbocharging?
2 Answers
Turbocharging five major taboos are: 1. Stepping on the accelerator aggressively right after starting: Since the turbocharger is cooled by engine oil, and the oil's fluidity is poor when the engine is cold, high-speed operation of the turbocharger at this time can cause significant wear; 2. Lugging the engine with a manual transmission turbocharged car: Lugging can lead to severe engine damage and spark plug failure; 3. Excessive idling time: During idling, the engine speed is low, and the turbocharger speed is also low. The gas pressure inside the turbine and compressor is lower than that in the bearing housing, causing oil to leak towards the compressor and turbine at both ends; 4. Turning off the engine immediately after high-speed driving: When a running engine is suddenly shut down, the oil pressure drops rapidly to zero, interrupting oil lubrication and preventing the internal heat of the turbocharger from being carried away by the oil; 5. Not using high-quality oil as required: The turbocharger's speed usually exceeds 150,000 rpm, and most mass-produced cars use floating bearings for the turbo, making the selection of high-quality oil particularly important.
There are five common taboos for turbocharged engines. Don't floor the throttle immediately after starting—when the engine is cold, oil flows slowly, and the turbo bearings lack lubrication, making them prone to wear. I usually let the car warm up for a minute or two before driving normally. Also, don't shut off the engine right after prolonged high-speed driving—the turbo runs extremely hot and needs to idle for a while to cool down, or the internal oil may carbonize and damage the bearings. Always use high-quality full synthetic oil, as conventional oil can degrade under high temperatures, leading to insufficient lubrication. Pay attention to changing the oil filter and air filter—contaminants entering the system can accelerate turbo blade wear. Additionally, avoid sudden acceleration during cold starts; gentle driving is more turbo-friendly. Regularly checking for air leaks in the intake system is also crucial to maintain proper operation.
