Have a turbo car? Turbos add horsepower, torque, and so much more to the engine. They’re one of the best mods you can made for improved performance.
But taking care of a turbocharged car is a little bit different than taking care of a naturally aspirated one. Here’s how to get the most out of your turbocharged car through additional mods, careful driving, and regular maintenance.
Tune It
Tuning is beneficial for engines of all types, but it’s especially beneficial to turbo engines. That’s because you can adjust the amount of fuel that enters the engine with a tune—and everyone knows that turbos run on air.
A tune can add up to 35 HP on gas engines and up to 90 on a diesel or turbo engine. And don’t forget the improved torque, fuel economy, and drivability. Tuners are an inexpensive mod for your turbo car that help the turbo perform its best.
Don’t Slack on Maintenance
Turbocharged engines require extra special care. You need to keep up with regular car maintenance, for one. Replacing the fluids (motor oils, coolant, transmission fluid, etc.) and filters (air and fuel) at the correct intervals is a must.
You also have to keep on top of turbo-specific maintenance. Turbocharged engines often require different motor oils than naturally aspirated engines. The motor oil you use in your turbo should be fully synthetic and heat resistant. You should also make sure to warm up your turbo engine before you drive and cool it down before you shut it off to avoid premature wear-and-tear or overheating.
Don’t Go Overboard
Let’s be real. The main reason you got a turbo was so you could make your car faster and more powerful. But even turbos have their limits.
The final way to get the most out of your turbocharged car is to always drive carefully. Don’t go over the speed limit, don’t make rough turns, don’t press too hard on the gas or brakes. Otherwise, you could prematurely wear down your engine and turbo. On top of that, you could put yourself in harm’s way.
