In today's automotive market, turbocharged engines have become one of the mainstream configurations. However, many car owners don't know much about the longevity of a turbocharger and the troubles it can bring. Today, we're going to talk about this topic.
In the early years, turbocharging technology was not widely available, and it was widely believed that turbocharged engines were more prone to problems than naturally aspirated engines, especially as the durability of turbochargers was often questioned. At that time, Japanese models hardly used turbocharging technology, which seems to have reinforced this notion to some extent.
But with the passage of time and the advancement of technology, turbocharged engines have gradually become the preferred choice of many automakers. On the one hand, increasingly stringent emission regulations are forcing automakers to seek more efficient power solutions. On the other hand, this trend is also driven by consumer demand for strong power.
The durability problems of early turbochargers were mainly due to design flaws, insufficient heat dissipation, and immature manufacturing processes. Today, however, the situation has changed dramatically.
Modern turbochargers are equipped with a more advanced lubrication system to reduce wear, as well as a separate cooling unit. Even after the flameout, the cooling system continues to operate for a period of time, ensuring that the turbocharger is cooled to a safe temperature. This means that the driver no longer has to worry about idle cooling after long drives, which greatly improves the ease of use.
Thanks to these technological advances, the lifespan of modern turbochargers is already comparable to that of the engine itself. Under normal conditions of use, turbochargers rarely need to be replaced. Even in the event of a failure, the most common is a damaged bypass solenoid valve, which usually requires only the replacement of the component separately, rather than the entire turbocharger.
Of course, routine maintenance is just as important to keep your turbocharger in good condition. For example, replace high-quality air filters regularly to avoid damage caused by impurities entering the turbocharger. In addition, choosing the right oil is critical, as turbochargers require extremely high lubrication when operating at high speeds. Fully synthetic motor oils are ideal for turbocharged engines due to their excellent high-temperature stability and cleaning ability.
In the face of the increasing number of turbocharged models, many consumers have begun to struggle with how to choose. If you don't want to buy a turbocharged vehicle, then only new energy or hybrid models are left as alternatives. Behind this choice, it actually reflects the contradiction between technological change and individual needs in the automotive industry.
Summary:
To sum up, modern turbocharged engines and their superchargers are no longer the object of concern in the past. Through continuous technological innovation, they have not only improved fuel efficiency and power performance, but also made significant progress in durability. For those who are worried about the life of the turbocharger, as long as they do the basic maintenance, they can rest assured that they can enjoy the driving pleasure brought by the turbocharger.