Listen To That Turbo Roar: How To Protect Your Engine From Cold Weather Damage

You've finally got that turbo-charged engine you've been dreaming about. If you've never owned a car with turbo-charge before, you might not realize that it's going to need some tender-loving-care this winter. You see, cold winter temperatures can wreak havoc on turbo-charged engines. The last thing you want is to have your brand new car suffer damage this winter; damage that could have been avoided with the proper care. Here are four important steps you should take to make sure your engine survives the winter.

Start With a Well-Maintained Engine

Whether your car is brand-new, or simply new-to-you, before the cold weather settles in for the winter, be sure you have your engine checked out by a mechanic. You'll need to have the oil changed, to ensure that you have the right type for winter weather. Turbo-charged engines rely on the motor oil to keep them properly lubricated. Winter-blend oil will maintain the proper viscosity regardless of how cold it gets. If you purchased your turbo-charged car used, be sure to have the belts checked as well. You don't want your engine to seize up during the winter.

Give Your Engine Time to Warm Up

If this is your first time owning a car with a turbo-charged engine, it's important to know that it will need some time to warm up in the morning. Turbo-charged engines need the oil to start pumping through before they take off. To make sure the oil has a chance to warm up and flow through to the vital components of the engine, always let your car idle for about 20 seconds before you start driving. Once you're driving, wait for the engine to warm up before you give it full throttle.

Don't Turn It Off Right Away

Unlike standard engines, turbo-charged engines run red-hot, especially when they've been running full-throttle. Because of this, you should never turn your engine off immediately after coming to a stop. Instead, come to a stop, and allow your car to idle for about 20-30 seconds before you turn the engine off. This will give the engine enough time to cool down.

Avoid That Last Minute Rev

If you're in the habit of giving your engine one final rev before you turn it off, you should refrain from that practice. That last minute rev causes the turbo-charge to kick in. However, once the engine is turned off, the oil stops pumping. That means your turbo-charge turbine is still turning, but without the necessary lubrication the oil should provide. Those repeated last minute revs can cause your bearings to wear out quicker than they should.

For more information, contact companies like CTI Turbo.

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