Turbo in the Winter?

[CB7Nub]

I don't have turbo yet, I'm planning still.
I live in the Toronto area of Canada and we get a bit of snow here and I'm wondering would the cold weather and snow cause problems for the turbo?

Like what if the turbo gets wet from melting snow, or it gets too cold to start it?

[mozzandherb]

Yes you would be taking a chance, most of the people that I know (myself included) dont drive their cars in the winter when it is turbo charged. I would say that if you had some warm indoor storage you could take it out on nice winter days, but in the midst of a snow storm, or if you just plan on keeping your car outside exposed to our nasty winters, then you are taking a chance

[CB7Nub]

What about stock cars that come with turbo's? I see them all the time in the winter, there must be a way. For example Audi's, most of them have turbos and they are every where.

[drummersteve7]

yah but those lame autos are rocking real low boost! 3-4psi
so yah they are turbo but not really.

depends on your engine, but any car can be driven during winter.
are you going to let the car sit with the hood open? No!
things like that. I mean its under the hood so no different from when it rains.

except that snow and hail is bad for a Front Mount Intercooler.
wanna make sure it is able to breathe, or possibly damage the core.
that would be my main concern.

But I don't drive in snow cause of traction and I do not wanna end up in a ditch!

[XcluziveAZN]

What about WRX .....It is not 3-4psi .....It came with 13.5 psi

[CB7Nub]

AZN does have a point, is there some type of filter you can put on the intercooler so it doesn't block it?

[93F22A6]

I would say just make sure to keep it in the garage, warm it up good, and don't drive in heavy snow or rain or any heavy wet percipatation.

[CB7Nub]

Dang, well if I had room for two cars and the money I would do that then.
If there is no way to keep a turbo in cold weather (there must be some secret) I probably just stick to N/A.

[jas_r34]

try putting mesh infront of the IC to help protect it...maybe 2 layers or so

[Bent]

the turbo won't see any issues - it gets hit with hot exhaust gasses that can be in excess of 550 ° C when under throttle. The temperature difference between winter (snowy weather) and summer (mosquito weather) is at most 50 ° C, I doubt exposing the outside surface of the turbocharger to 50 ° C less is going to make much of a difference to the operating temperature inside the housing and impellers.

However, the bit about the exposed intercooler being pelted with snow, ice, sand and (here in Canada) road salt might be very valid.

[twokexlv6coupe]

i daily mine in the winter, especially since i'm a snowboard instructor. i NEED to get to the mountain in the snow haha. i just warm up the car for a solid 10 minutes before driving in the COLD cold, until it reaches operating temp.

i know it sounds dumb, but i haven't even had a filter on the turbo since i don't have the inlet flange for the t3super60, and i've daily'd mine for 10K miles now, zero problemos

snow, ice, rain... my car sees everything.

[Bent]

there ya go - a testament.

[quickangel93]

What about WRX .....It is not 3-4psi .....It came with 13.5 psi

the wrx, evos, awd turbo audis, etc in that category are All Wheel Drive. they have full traction in the snow. good luck with a fwd boosted accord. i could barely keep traction 1 and 2nd on dry pavement

[bcjammerx]

I understand the "locked up" turbo...but with oil lines and coolant lines that shouldn't be an issue...let the car warm up before driving.

as to sucking in snow...just as dangerous as driving in the rain. Is your turbo going to be in the engine bay or hanging out of the fender?

[turbo90accord]

yah but those lame autos are rocking real low boost! 3-4psi
so yah they are turbo but not really.

Actually audi's run between 13 and 17psi from the factory

AZN does have a point, is there some type of filter you can put on the intercooler so it doesn't block it?

Sounds stupid but use panty hose around the intercooler

Dang, well if I had room for two cars and the money I would do that then.
If there is no way to keep a turbo in cold weather (there must be some secret) I probably just stick to N/A.

Unless your running a serious race setup there is no reason why you should worry about having a turbo car in the winter. Drive it like a normal car. I live in denver and we get some serious cold action and have no problems.

i daily mine in the winter, especially since i'm a snowboard instructor. i NEED to get to the mountain in the snow haha. i just warm up the car for a solid 10 minutes before driving in the COLD cold, until it reaches operating temp.



snow, ice, rain... my car sees everything.

Letting your car warm by sitting there is not that great. Its best to warm/ heat your car under load. The Idea is to heat up your internals as fast as possible not let idle and cause wear.

the wrx, evos, awd turbo audis, etc in that category are All Wheel Drive. they have full traction in the snow. good luck with a fwd boosted accord. i could barely keep traction 1 and 2nd on dry pavement

Problem with traction in the winter is not really because of power but because of cold hard tires.