As you probably may know a turbo charger is designed to create extra air flow into the combustion chamber of an engine and help it produce more power.
The turbo charger is located in the exhaust system and it has a turbine, which is spun by the exhaust gases to force compressed cool air back into the engine. By nature of its design and operation, the turbo charger spins very fast and is exposed to a lot of heat from the engine exhaust.
This means to maintain the turbo, one needs to use a unique lubrication (engine oil) solution which will promptly protect its bearings from seizing, help to cool it down as well as prevent deposit and corrosion build-up.
Reputable oil companies sell engine oils that clearly indicate the viscosity or grade and whether it protects the turbo charger in your engine. Many times, vehicle manufacturers will recommend special mineral grade or fully synthetic engine oils such as Shell Helix Ultra or Rimula R4, which cover the protection needs of high performance or heavy duty turbo charged engines.
Another way to maintain your turbo charger is by protecting it against yourself. Often the thrill of high performance or turbo charged engines gets one carried away and drivers rev the engines as soon as they start them or shut down the engines without letting them idle to slow the turbo.
In both situations, the turbo runs dry and slowly but surely gets damaged. One way to avoid this is let the engine idle for about 15 seconds to let oil pressure reach the turbo before accelerating.
The use of turbo timers or allowing the engine to idle before shutting it down prevents premature damage.
Quick Tips:
To protect your turbocharger against premature failure, follow these simple driving tips:
1.  When starting your car from cold, do not race the engine immediately from idle. Allow between 5-10 seconds for the engine oil to reach the turbocharger.
2.  Never operate the engine under full power until the engine oil has warmed thoroughly. When the lubricant is cold, it remains thick and gloopy and cannot lubricate the turbocharger effectively, until warmed and thinned.
3.  Old and tired oil cannot protect the turbocharger adequately. Therefore, do not extend the oil change interval beyond that recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
4.  Low-grade oil cannot protect the turbocharger adequately. Therefore, always use oil of not only the correct viscosity but also to the correct quality API specification (the details are noted within the vehicle handbook and also on the sides of canisters).
5.  A turbocharger works its hardest during sustained high speeds. After a long motorway drive, it is possible that a turbocharger might be glowing orangey-red hot. Shutting the engine off immediately after a long run, such as when stopping at a motorway service station, might cause severe damage, because the internal turbine will not have slowed down sufficiently, plus the extreme heat generated may not been given sufficient opportunity to dissipate. Always allow the engine to idle for at least 30 seconds, prior to switching off the ignition. If your car is equipped with ‘stop-start’ technology, disable it in this instance, should it be switchable.
6.  Never ‘blip’ the throttle, prior to switching off the ignition. This makes the turbocharger’s turbines accelerate but, when the ignition is cut, you starve the still-rotating turbine of lubricant. This can damage the bearings and increases the risk of premature failure substantially.
