Is Synthetic Oil Better for Turbocharged Engines?

by Richard Rowe
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Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of DeusXFlorida

The debate over conventional vs. synthetic oil is heated in almost all aspects of the automotive universe, but is fairly settled where turbocharged engines are concerned.

Conventional vs. Synthetic

Synthetic oil is made by singling out the individual molecules that make oil slippery, and reassembling the lubricant without any of the conventional oil's contaminants.

Contaminants

Conventional oil contains a number of paraffin waxes, carbon molecules and additives that break down at high temperature and turn into sludge.

Oil Cooking

The oil in turbochargers come in very close contact with red-hot exhaust components, and cooks a little more each time it goes through the turbo, getting thicker as the miles go by.

Oil Drain-Back

Oil sludge collects in the turbo's drain line, preventing elimination of hot oil and causing turbo overheating.

Lubricity

Synthetic oil maintains its lubricity (slipperiness) longer than conventional oils under high-temperature conditions. This is especially important to turbochargers with their tight bearing clearances, high component speeds and heat-induced metal expansion.

Requirements

Synthetic oils are almost always required by modern turbo-car manufacturers. Failure to use it will void the warranty.

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