Modifying your turbo charged car increases the risk for engine damage. Here are some tips that will improve the longevity of the engine, transmission, and drive train.
Pay close attention to all of these critical factors.
1. Outside Temperature:
Always warm up your engine, a few minutes idling will make a huge difference in maintaining your vehicle. Never drive aggressively in extreme temperatures (above 95° or freezing-32°). Always be aware of coolant levels (see #3) and engine load (see #4) when outside temperatures exceed 95°. In freezing temperatures (below 32°) allow the engine to warm up before driving.
2. Car Fluids:
These levels must be checked daily. When you drive your car hard, the engine uses more oil. Low oil level can damage the engine. Pay close attention when driving up a hill.
3. Coolant Level:
Check coolant level in the overflow tank periodically and especially after driving in hot climates. Low levels may cause engine damage.
4. Engine Load:
Load refers to the amount of stress on the engine. For example, going up a hill in 5th or 6th gear in low RPMs, driving with the air conditioning on, or driving with more weight in the car increases stress on the engine. Avoid driving the car hard if any of the above factors are present.
5. RPMs:
Driving your car in higher RPMs continuously may cause engine damage. Remember street cars are not meant to be driven like race cars!
6. Check Engine Lights(CEL):
If your CEL comes on, stop the car, pull the code and and call us. Remember, the CEL is a safety net to save your engine from damage, sometimes it is to late but typically it works well. When your CEL is on, your car is in a safe limp mode map (High Detonation).
7. If you hear any kind of abnormal noise:
If you hear any kind of abnormal noise coming from the engine, transmission or drive train area stop the car immediately and call us. Driving on the car could cause more unnecessary damage.
On top of all the above items, it's very important to always perform your regular factory services, high performance vehicles do not maintain on their own.
It is important to realize that there is a huge difference between street cars and race cars. Street cars run on 91 Octane fuel, in traffic, when it's hot or cold out, up hills, with your friends and family inside, be reliable, receive good gas mileage (obviously when you are not on the throttle) and be fun to drive! The above tips are very beneficial to increase the life of your engine, transmission, and drive train of your modified vehicle.
