Melett: technicians should think ‘turbo’ this winter

Turbochargers and parts supplier Melett is urging technicians to stay on top of turbo maintenance this winter. The company offers best practice tips to help customers prolong the life of their turbo as temperatures plummet.

Lubrication is a key element to ensuring a turbocharger is doing its job correctly. Therefore, it is essential to check that a vehicle’s oil is the correct grade. When fitting a replacement turbo, it is important that the oil system has been primed and is in full working order. If this is not the case, it can lead to premature failure, says Melett.

Many turbo-related issues are simply down to neglect, and with more than a third of drivers telling a 2022 poll they expected to skip servicing their vehicle, Melett is advising technicians to not only encourage regular servicing, but also to ensure the vehicle’s oil and oil filter is checked and replaced to protect the turbo from damage cause by contamination.

Another top tip for motorists is to adapt their driving habits during the colder weather, especially if the vehicle has not been run for long periods. Simple changes such as waiting a few minutes before driving at high revs to allow the engine to warm and oil to flow through the turbocharger. This prevents damage to components within the turbocharger.

By avoiding revving the engine, unnecessary stress on the turbo is avoided.