Sometime back in the '70s, the NJ State Police began buying 6-cylinder Volvos for patrol duty on the NJ Turnpike. I think that this was due to high gas bills for their “standard” patrol cars–Chrysler New Yorker 6-window sedans. (Yes, they really did use those behemoths for turnpike patrol duty in those days!)
Anyway, after a lot of negative public reaction to those Volvos, plus poor reliability and the simple fact that they lacked the power of those Chryslers, that experiment lasted less than one year and they went back to buying Chrysler New Yorkers for duty on the turnpike and the Garden State Parkway. For state patrol duty on “regular” highways, they continued to use full-size Ford sedans.
When the Aspen Colorado police department selected Saabs back in the mid 1970s, they were supposedly the first to select vehicles not produced by Detroit’s “Big 3” (Ford, Chevy, Chrysler). It made the national news.
Back to the original question, I don’t think that short trip driving is going to be particularly hard on the turbo engine.
Heat is the killer of turbos, mostly heat that significantly raises the oil temperature. Unless you drive it very hard between the stop lights, i.e., you have to win every “race”, the turbos should not get as hot as they would with high speed interstate driving.
If you go with the turbo engine and you are still concerned, one trick to help is that if the last mile is not done at low speeds and low load, then let the engine idle for about 15 to 30 seconds before shutdown. This will allow oil to flow through the center bearing to cool it down first.
Thanks for the information. It seems that Turbo engines aren’t something that needs to be avoided, if you just log short trips.
My wife’s family has a history with Buick’s … and she is really liking the Encore GX. We will proceed with that since we needn’t worry about its turbo.
if one is so concerned to “preserve” his turbo with that cool-down period - press “remote start” button and let it run through whatever timeout is… which I think is something like 10 minutes… and leave
that would not work for in-garage parking although
I was under impression that oil starvation issue was solved long ago, by force-circulating oil after engine shut-off, but I might be mistaken
Maybe I am to old school but I have never shut one down for at least 5 minutes I have had some of the diesels I drove that had an automatic turbo shutdown that would d it if you are there or not I don’t know if they make an after market one or not if the vehicle did not come with one.
just out of curiosity, I tried to find how much parts would cost to replace turbo on 1.5 liter engine used in Civic and CR-V
apparently, OEM fully assembled thing with electronic valve installed goes around a grand, while cartridge-only replacement may be found for $300-500, it is Mitsubishi D025 service kit that is OEM
now I feel better about my wife getting 2022 Civic with 1.5 liters last Saturday
for that costs, I don’t care for cool-down and if it lasts 10 years or 15 years
Maybe on newer vehicles with proper maintenance that would be OK it has been awhile since I had a diesel and every one I had has been a heavy truck I never had one in a car I am not disputing your knowledge just going by my own experience.
I do not believe modern turbos to be of concern too, yet some people try avoiding them and sticking to “good old V6” for the same performance… yet the pool of cars offering V6 dries out quickly
worst case scenario, it’s not that terrible cost to replace…
Better factor in the install cost if the owner isn’t a DIY type… Might get kind of pricey depending on how easy it is to get to. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a new or low mileage car with a turbo. I think I’d pass on a well used one, though and stick to NA. That’s just me personally.
I saw that previously. My in laws have a turbo Accord. Pretty neat car. They were unaware it even had a turbo. Hopefully it doesn’t give them any problems. I doubt they even check the oil. Since it’s so new, I bet they assume the oil level is fine.
