For heavy- and medium-duty diesel truck engines, variable geometry turbochargers (VGT) are common additions. They provide superior throttle response at any engine speed, in addition to helping you get the most power from your engine. These turbochargers control the flow of engine exhaust through the turbine wheel by using a row of vanes. These vanes open and close in accordance with a truck’s speed and the environment it’s in. If you’ve got a 6.0 Powerstroke turbo upgrade kit for your engine, here are five helpful tips for maintaining your VGT turbo.

Warm Up the Engine

A lot of wear and tear will occur if you rev the engine right after it has just started. Stressing the engine right as it turns on is a bad idea for any car, turbocharged or not. But engines with VGT turbochargers and the like are especially putting their engines at risk. This is because the oil in a cold engine settles at the bottom of the oil pan. Letting your engine warm up will ensure every part is lubricated and capable of handling the rigors of intense environments.

Don’t Lug the Engine in High Gears

Lugging, or driving at full throttle with low RPM because the transmission is in too high a gear, is a bad habit that will damage your engine and VGT turbo. This is a habit reserved entirely for manual drivers, as automatic transmissions will change on their own. So ensure you’re attentive to how much power you have to work with.

Use the Right Engine Oil

Speaking of oil and keeping the engine lubricated, make sure your engine oil is topped off and that you’re using oil suitable for your vehicle. Engine oil is the lifeblood of your car and ensures the various moving parts of the engine can run smoothly. Just make sure you refill the oil before it runs out completely because you don’t want your truck to damage itself by generating friction.

Concerning Additives

It should be noted that there are no additives you can use to help maintain your VGT turbo and improve its performance. You may see some fluids for your turbo around, however, and that’s just for when it’s brand new until the oil pressure can build in the system.

Cool Down the Engine

Lastly, to mirror the first tip, turbochargers can run extremely hot and need time to cool back down before you shut the engine off entirely. The engine oil cools the turbocharger, so allow the engine to idle for a few minutes before shutting off your vehicle.