Turbocharged engines are more efficient and add more power. But these benefits do come with significant downsides. Take a look why you should avoid turbochargers in your daily driver.
How do Turbochargers work?
Putting a turbocharger on a car usually means swapping out a few other parts too. That's because the turbo hooks up to both the air intake and exhaust systems at the same time. Turbos also require a way for engine oil to reach the turbocharger to lubricate the bearings.
The turbocharger spins one turbine with the fast-moving exhaust gases, a compressor wheel squeezes fresh air into the engine. This setup makes the engine work better because it's not just relying on atmospheric air pressure to move air into the cylinder.
A Supercharger and Turbocharger accomplish the same thing. They both force more air into the engine, but a supercharger is belt-driven by the engine, and a turbocharger is powered by the exhaust gases.
The Pros and Cons of Turbochargers
Pros
- Can be installed on Gas or Diesel engines — Nearly all modern diesels have turbos today!
- Produces significantly more power — A 1.6L engine with a turbo creates as much power as a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine.
- Better fuel efficiency — If you drive the exact same way as you would in a non-turbo vehicle, you'll get 3%-5% better fuel economy.
- A Little More Quiet — Although this might be a Con for some, turbocharged engines are generally quieter than their naturally aspirated counterparts.
Cons
- More Power = More Maintenance — The trade-off for gaining all this free power is that you have to install a part that costs $1,000-$3,000 to replace. Turbochargers are not cheap to fix.
The turbocharger is a complex component that spins at 100,000+ RPM and uses the oil from your engine to cool and lubricate the bearings within the turbo. If you’re someone who doesn’t perform 5,000-mile oil changes, it’s advisable not to buy a car with a turbo. The turbocharger will be the first part to fail due to poor oil quality. It is also very important to replace and maintain your air filter. Even a slightly dirty air filter could let in debris that would wear away the compressor blades and damage the compressor wheel. - Higher potential for damage — Smaller engines with a turbocharger are common for better fuel efficiency. Smaller engines consume less fuel, but the added pressure from turbocharging can lead to higher temperatures and engine knock, potentially damaging the engine.
- High Octane Fuel — Engines with higher compression ratios demand higher fuel octane. Lower octane fuels may ignite prematurely, affecting performance
- Terrible for Towing — Even though nearly every diesel sold today is turbocharged, gasoline turbos are not ideal for towing — you just need a bigger engine. Turbochargers are not designed to handle the heat and pressure of towing.
The reason why turbos are in diesel trucks is because diesel engines ignite the fuel by compressing the air in the cylinder rather than a sparkplug. So the more oxygen you can squeeze into a cylinder, the bigger bang you can get. This makes turbochargers in diesels significantly more efficient and effective over a gasoline engine. Also, Turbos in diesels are usually water-cooled and have a much more robust design.
Don't Buy a Turbocharged Car...
Turbocharged engines are more efficient and add more power. But these benefits don't really outweigh the negatives. They require very diligent maintenance and often only last 100,000 miles before needing to be replaced. If you're not buying New where you can ensure the maintenance has been done, it's best to avoid turbochargers in your daily driver.
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