Newbie to a Turbo Engine

[jigen]

Any suggestions you guys could give me as far as daily driving with a turbo compared to a NA engine? Would I drive or shift any differently to get the best MPGs?

Also, i read a few times that before people would recommend letting your car idle before shutting down to cool the turbos. All newer turbos have methods of doing this after the car shuts down, right?

Any info is appreciated.

 

[Bluestream]

Many VW's have after run coolant pumps that run for 5 mins to cool down the turbo. You will hear it when you turn off the engine. Otherwise drive a bit slower when you know you will be turning the car off soon so that the turbo does not engage. 30 seconds of idle is also a good idea.

 

[jigen]

Thanks. Yeah I've noticed that on a few of them. Almost sounds like motor is still running for about 1 minute then shuts down. Maybe longer based onthe temperature?

You'd still recommend 30 seconds of idle and then shut down? Works for me. Just want to start good habits.

 

[DemoFly]

You don't have to change your driving habits, just make sure you cruise in vacuum. Which, unless you drive with your foot 3/4 throttle all the time, is normal driving.

Most new turbo cars have turbo timers (car idles for a bit even though you turn the key and lock the doors and walk away). If your car doesn't have a turbo timer, or doesn't state in the owners manual to let the car idle before shutting off then you don't have to. The turbo is obviously a ball or journal bearing turbo with a water jacket for coolant to cool the turbo.

You can still let the car idle for a bit if you want to, wont hurt anything except "boost" your peace of mind. Since factory turbochargers are usually quite small, this is really a non-issue. For most daily driving conditions even large factory turbos like the Holset HX35 and HY35, Garrett GT35/GT35R only require 15 to 30 seconds of cooldown time, and 1 to 2 minutes on high load extreme hots. So for your smaller factory turbo just let it idle for about 10 seconds and you're golden.

Always use Synthetic oil meeting factory spec.

 

[Eddie]

I agree with the above post bu demoFly. I drive my turbo Mazda the same as any NA vehicle. If I am ruuning at high speeds for a long time on the highway, I let the vehicle idle for 1 to 2 minutes before shutting off. Modern turbo engines need no idle time before shutdown when driven normally. My prefered oil is Pennzoil Platinum in 5w30 for my engine and I follow the manufactures oil change recomendation for my engine and suggest you do the same. Ed

 

[oggb]

Don't pull off of a freeway exit ramp after cruising at 80mph on a 100F summer day and shut the engine off immediately and you'll be fine. Beyond that I have never sat around and waited for my WRX's turbo to cool off.

Shifting won't matter as long as you can stay in vacuum. Drive it like a grandma and it'll get better gas mileage. Generally speaking, however, you need to drive a turbocharged car kinda "like you stole it" to get any power out of it anyhow.

No, some newer-model turbocharged vehicles don't have a way to continue cooling the turbo after the vehicle is shut down besides the thermosiphon effect created by the hot turbo casing.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I never drove my 300ZX turbo any differently than my n/a,hard and fast ;^) Never idled it before shutoff,etc. Just keep good oil in it and keep it changed.

 

[jigen]

I did mention I am a complete newbie right? lol

"stay in vacuum" "cruise in vacuum"

???

 

[eljefino]

Do you have a gauge that moves with how much power you apply? Most turbos do. Instead of measuring just intake manifold vacuum, which at wide open throttle would be "nothing", this gauge keeps measuring until it's in boost, which is the turbo forcing even more air in, at positive pressure.

My volvo is very happy at zero, the middle mark.

Most turbos cut lots of timing and add lots of fuel at boost. So let them rev in lower gears if you want modest power.

 

[sciphi]

Stay out of boost to get the best MPG's possible. That is hard with a smaller turbo, though. They start boosting at around 1200-1300 RPM or lower, and come into peak boost by 1700-1800 RPM.

If you've driven it hard, wait 20-30 seconds before shutting it down. Otherwise, just shut it down. 85% of the time you'll not be using the turbo much during the last few minutes of a drive, so just shut it down. Now if your house is on top of a hill and it's been boosting for a solid minute at full boost, wait that 20-30 seconds to shut down.

 

[rjundi]

No worries on shut down. Driving into a parking space/drieway is cool down (eg out of boost). Old school thinking in cars not modern ones.

Turbos engines are not created equal so it depends on best method of driving for MPG.

 

[jigen]

Thanks for the responses guys, always so helpful. I need to really spend time with the vehicle and get a feel for everything.

 

[hooligan24]

have you read your owners manual?

My 8 year old owners manual tells me when to shift for the best mileage and how long I should let the engine idle for different conditions. Also tells me what oil spec and weight to use for different conditions and driving styles.

 

[jigen]

Actually going through it right now, finally got some time to check it out.

 

[BrownBox88]

b00st is addictive. Stay out boost and your MPGs will be great. Dont granny shift, double clutch....ha ha...fast and furious.

On a serious note, turbos are great and make you crave more power. They also sound great.

 

[NateDN10]

Out of curiosity, what vehicle is it? I don't see any turbocharged vehicles in your signature.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
Many VW's have after run coolant pumps that run for 5 mins to cool down the turbo. You will hear it when you turn off the engine. Otherwise drive a bit slower when you know you will be turning the car off soon so that the turbo does not engage. 30 seconds of idle is also a good idea.

Exactly how I used to drive my 84 Laser Turbo. Let it run if I was only going to be a minute for something etc. I remember that turbo made some real creepy moans/noises when it was cold outside, and early in the morning.

 

[jigen]

Originally Posted By: NateDN10
Out of curiosity, what vehicle is it? I don't see any turbocharged vehicles in your signature.


2012 VW Tiguan 6 speed manual. Has the 2.0T engine.

 

[rjundi]

My wife has 130k on her 2005 Legacy GT wagon(turbo). She has NEVER cooled or idled it down and it works same as new. She never would anyway. We use dino every 3.5k btw.

In her car she shifts at 3000-3800 RPM where I believe boost starts for her at 2800 RPM. She averages 23M-24PG which is good considering rating is 17 city/23 highway.(has civilized STI motor)

I know the 2.0T starts boost much earlier so its hard to avoid.

 

[jigen]

Yup, I think it starts very low (1700rpms?) so it seems to be hard to avoid indeed. Thanks for the post!