Turbo : Warm-up & cool-down procedures

[CX7_Scott]

I've seen numerous references to warming-up and cooling-down the turbo, but this being my first vehicle to HAVE a turbocharger, I have some questions.

My salesman *did* tell me to let the car idle for 15-30 seconds before shutting it off, but that's about all he said.

Can any of you take a moment to explain:

(A) What your procedure(s) is(are)...

(B) What the effect is on the components if you do or don't properly follow your regiment.

I want to make sure I do all the right things.
Thanks.
-scott

[MOMO_CX-7]

Can any of you take a moment to explain:

(A) What your procedure(s) is(are)...

(B) What the effect is on the components if you do or don't properly follow your regiment.

I want to make sure I do all the right things.
Thanks.
-scott

Turbos spin at a tremendous RPM, and relies on the oil pump to provide necessary lubricant to the bearings. Typically if you just cruised down your street at 35 miles an hour for a couple of minutes or more it is not much of an issue. But, if you just got off the highway or perhaps just climbed a tall hill, turning off the engine immediately leaves it wound up, but with out an oil feed to keep it cooled and to provide the lubrication... the effects of which could affect the lifetime of the turbo.

Whether or not it is something your should fear is debateable, esp as turbo technology has advanced. But, if you are in the habit of puttingyour foot in it every chance you get it is certainly worth the additional 30 seconds to a minute to allow the turbo to wind back down to idle speeds before shutting her down.

[CX7_Scott]

AH - Now I get it... (I think)

Somewhere along the line, someone mentioned that turning it off too-early also may leave oil IN the turbo which may "cook-it"... maybe they were misunderstanding it...?

If I understand correctly, it's basically to let the turbo spin-down and allow some oil to flow-through for a minute to cool it off...

So - if my commute is 40-miles and I'm doing about 70-80mph the whole way on the highway, but the last 5-minutes is 30-mph down the back roads, and the last 2-minutes is below 15mph through the company driveway and parking lot... do I still need to sit there for 30-seconds once I get to my parking spot...? SHould I just play it safe and do that...? Or is that overkill...?

Thanks...

[wongster]

or you can get a turbo timer and dont have to worry about it...

[02589]

removed.

[CX7_Scott]

very helpful information. thank you immensely.

[lasermp5]

Yup. He pretty much hit the nail on the head. Give it time before you thromp it, and give it time before you shut her down. Like someone mentioned above, a turbo timer is a very cheap alternative to waiting in your car to shut her off. They can be had for anywhere from 25-100 bucks. Some people don't mind sitting and relaxing, as others like to get on their way and let the turbo timer handle the cool down and shutting off of the car. Also, the turbo timer will automatically dictate how long the car needs to cool down by how hard you've been driving (ie: after 80mph highway driving, the turbo timer might read 2-3 minutes before turning off).

[1Sleepy93]

So - if my commute is 40-miles and I'm doing about 70-80mph the whole way on the highway, but the last 5-minutes is 30-mph down the back roads, and the last 2-minutes is below 15mph through the company driveway and parking lot... do I still need to sit there for 30-seconds once I get to my parking spot...? SHould I just play it safe and do that...? Or is that overkill...?

Thanks...

You're doing your cool down on the back roads as long as you aren't goosing it and driving somewhat agressively. ;)

[low_psi]

You don't need a turbo timer unless you're boosting, then quickly stopping and turning off the car. Taking it easy 30sec before you park will be enough time for things to cool down. Waiting for the car to warm up, look at coolant temp, is also good practice.

[CX7_Scott]

The head mechanic at my Mazda dealer confirmed that a turbo-timer is almost 99% useless on this vehicle. Mazda knows that most of its drivers are going to get in, start it, drive it however they drive, park it and shut it off.

He says the size of the turbo is miniscule compared to performance cars pushing 1k-HP... although letting it idle for 15-60 seconds won't HURT the car... he is confident that even if you NEVER "baby" the turbo, it will last.

Knowing that... I think I will still get into the habit of letting in sit for a few seconds before killing it.

[tdf2001]

The head mechanic at my Mazda dealer confirmed that a turbo-timer is almost 99% useless on this vehicle.

If I told my wife that she needs to idle the cx-7 for as much as 5 seconds after a stop, the car would be out the door. The head mechanic better be right....

[wongster]

i know... i was trying to explain my gf that.. she freaked lol... oh well i basically do almost the same as 02589 does...

[G-Papi]

If you live in an average neighborhood, with a couple of stop signs and a few turns before you get home, it should be normally cooled when you park it.

[tdf2001]

If you live in an average neighborhood, with a couple of stop signs and a few turns before you get home, it should be normally cooled when you park it.

[Devil's advocate]
I live by an interstate onramp and my mother in law is in town who has a wicked lead foot.

What do I do now?

Tell her to idle the car for a few minutes waving the manual insinuating that she is a freaking maniac behind the wheel? I THINK NOT.

What's Mazda's customer care number? It'll be fun to pose that dilemma to 'em.

Seriously! What is that number? Results will be posted.

[G-Papi]

From Mazda USA
1-800-222-5500

[02589]

removed

[wongster]

Get the extended warranty

Nodd...

[G-Papi]

Plan to trade for a new one in three years.

[xavier]

dont let the mother in law drive it! :)

[hectik1]

Buying a turbo timer....works great for my Evo.:)

As far as warming up....warm it up just like it also. Once the temp needle moves a little start driving slow. Once it is up to normal temp I drive normal.

Same procedure for both cars.

[azcat]

Somewhere along the line, someone mentioned that turning it off too-early also may leave oil IN the turbo which may "cook-it"... maybe they were misunderstanding it...?

Sort of. The actual term is "coking." The oil remaining on the bearing burns, or "cokes." Seriously. I used to work for a company with a lot of turbine experience...Garrett.

If I understand correctly, it's basically to let the turbo spin-down and allow some oil to flow-through for a minute to cool it off...
Right, the flow of oil cools the bearings and also prevents the oil from coking.

Turbo tech has come a long way, as someone said, but turbos aren't cheap. If you don't plan on keeping your vehicle past the end of the warranty, don't worry about it. If you think you might keep it, just take it easy for the last 15-20 seconds of your drive; you probably do anyway, unless you're a Navy pilot.

[spike blue]

Buying a turbo timer....works great for my Evo.:)

As far as warming up....warm it up just like it also. Once the temp needle moves a little start driving slow. Once it is up to normal temp I drive normal.

Same procedure for both cars.

in your signature it says that you have an aem intake is that correct??

[hectik1]

in your signature it says that you have an aem intake is that correct??Yes. I started a thread with pics earlier today.:)

[offset_98]

I asked the dealership about this as well and they told me no special attention was needed for the turbo. So, I decided to check out the owners manual and found that Mazda recommends letting the car idle for 10 seconds after starting it before driving it. They make no mention of letting it idle after driving it. So, I told my wife to let it idle for 10 seconds after start up but seeing as we're about a mile or so from the highway, when she gets home from work she's driving it 1 mile at 35-40mph so I'm not worried about the cool down.

[G-Papi]

After driving at freeway speeds or up a long hill, idle the engine at least 30 seconds to cool the turbo before turning off the engine. Avoid simply shutting the engine off abruptly after a long or hard drive. Damage to the turbocharger may result.

From the Mazda CX-7 Manual, Page 4-12

[mikey1981]

On friday I will be taking my 1st road trip. RI to New Hampshire, with about 1/3rd in mountain terrain (long hills/inclines/declines etc). Is this thing good to go for a 4 hr drive straight or what(ughdance) ? All seriousness tho, I dont have to stop and let the engine cool down or something right - sometimes it can be a grueling drive depending on conditions. Last winter I had to drive my CRV in mostly 3rd & 2nd gear for about 2 hrs - will that have any effect on this car?

[G-Papi]

The cool-down procedure only applies to stopping after a hard drive. And even at that, it's only a 30 second idle. You can use the time to unbuckle, scratch ass, or pick nose. (shocked)There's no ill effect when driving hard. As a matter of fact, it should be fun.

[PuroMexicano]

You can use the time to unbuckle, scratch ass, or pick nose.

Mandatory!!! (thumb)

[9Hooker]

you probably do anyway, unless you're a Navy pilot.


But I do though. :) I drive like a grandma with the 7 because 1) it doesn't get gas mileage like my diesel VW, and evern worse when I get on it hard, and 2) premium gas isn't cheap.

I forgot to say:

I turn on the car. It idles at like 2k. Having been a motorcycle owner and mechanic for a long time in a previous life I don't like that. I shift into reverse or drive and then back into park. I get all my sh!t into one sock, then I shift again to get on the road.

When I come home I let it idle for a few seconds before shutdown.

[Luded]

If the purpose of the "turbo timer" is to allow to car to cool down once you've turned off the car and walked away, than I don't think the "turbo timer" would always be on every time you took a drive.

I mean, if you drove your car in traffic or on the hwy like your average everyday drive, and the engine had enough air flow and time to cool down to a normal temp before you got home and parked the car than the turbo timer wouldn't keep the car on while you walked away after parking the car.

But if you were hammering the car a little, and in boost on few streets, took a few corners fast and pulled into your driveway and wanted to go in than the "turbo timer" should do its job and allow the car to cool if necessary.

I see the "turbo timer" as assurance for when you don't have the time to sit in the car to let it cool off, or if you share the car with another person "wife". And you both don't practice the same "cool down" process.

The engine might be more advanced but I think the "turbo timer" might be a wise investment for the longevity of the motor, sure it's going to consume more fuel and that already seems like a slight concern for some CX-7 owners but if it's going to help protect the engine I think on a turbo car it's a good investment.

[SuperStretch18]

A turbo timer is just that, a timer. You set how long after you pull the key that you want the car to run. I have yet to see one that operated on turbo or engine temp.

Regarding turbo timers on the DISI; the MS6 guys have talked this one to death. Basically, since the turbo is both oil and water cooled, convection keeps coolant moving through the turbo for at least a couple of minutes. For the long version, read this:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123668566&highlight=turbo+timer

[erhayes]

WOW this is a long thread. I did something many owners don't do appearently. I read the owners manual which is a neat read. Turo engine is supposed to be idled 30 seconds after a hard run. If I can't invest 30 + seconds after a highway run in my $28,000 vehicle then I shouldn't be driving it. JMO