When a car revs its engine and races down the street, it’s not just alarming to onlookers—it also means that excess fuel is being wasted on the unreasonably fast acceleration, polluting the surrounding air. Turbochargers are a unique auto part that harness this usually wasted energy and turn it into added momentum for the vehicle. If you’re interested in learning more about this component and if it’s right for you, consider the following guide.

What Are Turbochargers?

A turbocharger pushes extra air into the cylinders within your car’s engine. This allows the engine to turn fuel into energy at a more rapid rate, so you can go farther while using less gas. Turbochargers contain a metal shaft connected to a pair of fans: the turbine and the compressor. The turbine fan sits downwind of the cylinders, so the hot exhaust stream turns the fan blade. As the turbine fan starts to rotate, it also spins the metal shaft and the compressor fan. The compressor fan sucks in air from outside and pushes it back into the cylinders so that the process can repeat.

What Are the Pros & Cons of Turbochargers?

Some car owners choose to modify their engines with this auto part because it allows the engine to produce more power than it usually would. Since an engine with a turbocharger weighs less than a larger standard engine that provides the same amount of energy, it improves the vehicle’s fuel economy. Turbochargers also use oxygen to burn additional fuel, so they don’t pollute the surrounding air. 

If you’re considering a turbocharger, keep in mind that they will complicate your car’s setup under the hood, which means you’ll have another component to inspect and repair down the line. Since they are used to help engines produce more power than they were designed to manage, it’s common to see mechanical issues emerge over time. In the long term, your turbocharged engine might not last as long as a standard, less powerful one. Some people also have a hard time getting used to driving cars with turbochargers, as it may take a second for the extra power to kick in after you press on the gas pedal.

If you’re interested in trying out this auto part, turn to Al’s Auto Salvage & Sales of St. Louis, MO. They have been providing area drivers with quality pre-owned auto components since 1970. Whether you have a foreign or domestic vehicle, they offer 30-day standard warranties on all their parts, including tires and transmission systems. To learn more about their offerings, visit the website or call (314) 382-6112 to speak with a representative today.