101 Modified Cars

When you run a turbocharged motor, the turbo gets hot and needs a lot of cooling and in comes the turbo timer. A turbo timer is basically a device that allows your car to continue idling for a certain amount of time after the ignition has been switched off and key removed.

Why Use a Turbo Timer?

As already mentioned, Turbocharger shafts can spin at incredible rates which obviously generate an enormous amount of heat. To aide in cooling and controlling the heat generated by the shaft, oil is circulated around the shaft. After driving your car, and especially after hard driving, it is recommended that your car be idled for a period of time to allow the oil to take the heat out of the turbocharger.

Now this is where I personally prefer to drive the car to cool it down, if that’s not possible for you or your cup of tea then a turbo timer is for you. Once you stretch the legs of your turbo on an outing, give it a good few minutes of easy driving before you reach your destination and your turbo should cool down enough.

It is important to note, that switching off your engine when the turbo is HOT can and will cause premature turbo wear and failure. The oil around the turbo shaft solidifies(coking) and therefore no longer lubricates the shaft. The ‘coking’ can block your oil lines and cause oil starvation and is primarily the number one cause of turbo failure.

So in the end it is up to you, will you have the patience to take it easy for the last few minutes of your drive or do you think a turbo timer is the only way to be sure?