Turbochargers are terrific. They can give you an extra burst of power when and where you need it. They can enhance the performance of any engine by compressing air and adding more oxygen to the mix. A handy device, but not always a sure thing. Occasionally, when you’re driving along and want to give the engine a little more oomph, it may take a few seconds between putting the pedal to the metal and getting the power you need while burning less fuel. The reasons why can vary, but often it comes down to two things: turbo lag or reaching the boost threshold. So when you experience that drop in power, is it turbo lag or boost threshold? Well, here’s how to tell the difference—and a few things that might help combat both. Let’s begin by defining what each one is and how they differ from one another.

Turbochargers: The How and Why

Every diesel truck and many other vehicles have turbochargers. Turbochargers provide that extra boost of power while also granting greater fuel efficiency. While a vehicle doesn’t require a turbocharger to run, without one, it will exhibit poorer performance. It will lose power and speed, and the engine may even experience severe damage over time. In short, don’t mess with your turbocharger. It’s better to have one than to not have one.

Turbo Lag: What Is It?

Now that we’ve established the finer points of turbochargers, let’s address turbo lag. When turbochargers add more oxygen to the engine’s cylinder, the fuel burns better and delivers even more power. However, it’s not like flicking on a switch, so you may not get that extra boost for a few seconds or so. When you press down on the gas pedal, it delivers more fuel to the engine, but it still takes a moment or two until the car responds. The time that it takes is called turbo lag. Turbo lag is identifiable by sudden or slow acceleration or a delayed response from the throttle. This does not signal something wrong with your vehicle or engine, but it can be understandably frustrating. You’re less likely to experience turbo lag while moving at greater speeds and more likely to feel it at lower ones. This is because the faster you go, the more waste gas is given off by the truck. At lower speeds, your turbocharger must work a bit harder and therefore take longer to capture the necessary waste gases to use in the process.

Unfortunately, fighting turbo lag is not an easy fix. But that’s only because there’s nothing to necessarily fix. Some adjustments can be made to improve the situation, but the short answer is turbo lag is just what it sounds like: a brief delay before the engine comes to life, so to speak.

Fighting Turbo Lag

What can be done to prevent or at least ameliorate turbo lag? Sorry, there’s no gizmo or doohickey you can add to prevent it, but you can make one adjustment to your driving habits. Get in the habit of accelerating sooner. That may sound strange, but if you have the time and space to safely do so, start giving the engine more fuel as you approach an area with an increased speed limit. With increased RPM, the waste gases will have a better chance of accumulating before then. Another helpful tip is to simply keep up with proper care. Bring in your vehicle for regular checkups and periodic service and maintenance. Give your turbocharger a break. Change the oil on a regular schedule, top off all the other fluids, keep the tires inflated to manufacturer-mandated levels, and generally keep it clean and running smoothly. You may still feel that lag, but it should be less pronounced. Some sources suggest adding nitrous oxide to the fuel mix or adding mechanism like a smaller exhaust housing and wastegate, but you can save time and money by exploring a change in your driving methods first.

Boost Threshold: What Is It?

Boost threshold is another beast altogether and is often confused with turbo lag. Turbo lag, as we learned, happens in that short time span between acceleration and the turbocharger’s activation as the RPM increases. Boost threshold, however, occurs before then. At the lower level—remember that—the engine lacks exhaust gas pressure to assist the turbocharger in spinning and building that all-important boost. As the name suggests, the boost threshold is the point where the gas has finally reached a desirable level to push the air through the engine and induce the desired boost. The boost threshold may vary, but the basic concept remains the same.

Boost Threshold: What Can Be Done?

Can you increase the boost threshold? Maybe that’s not the right question. Whether you have a 2007 6.0 Powerstroke Turbo or another kind, the same rules apply. An engine is generally capable of what it’s capable of and no more. Regular maintenance and upkeep will surely help the engine run more smoothly for far longer, delivering peak performance. Tune-ups are vital, as is keeping on top of oil changes and the like. Cold air intakes are relatively cheap devices that further improve the air quality, if you will, of the oxygen your engine takes in. Upgrading the exhaust system and considering fuel additives can also give the extra boost you may be looking for.

Turbo Lag and Boost Threshold: What’s Next?

We’ve addressed the question, “Is it turbo lag or boost threshold?” and explored how to tell the difference. Take the time to talk to your mechanic about alternatives and whether your vehicle requires any further work or equipment to reduce turbo lag or improve your boost threshold.

If you have further questions about improving your vehicle and its engine’s performance, contact us for a consultation. We’ll be happy to discuss improvements and alternatives that can help your vehicle run better, faster, and stronger. Our main store and shop are in Wyoming, but we can ship products anywhere. Call us today and take advantage of our decades of experience making cars and trucks the best they can be. We look forward to hearing from you!