A Turbo Is Driven by the Engine's Own Exhaust
Turbo is short for turbocharger. The device recovers energy that would otherwise be wasted out of the exhaust pipe.
Turbo is short for *turbocharger*, a device that forces more air into an engine to increase power. The clever part is where the energy comes from: exhaust gas leaving the engine spins a turbine, which drives a compressor on the same shaft, which pushes more air back in. It runs on waste that would otherwise blow out of the pipe. A *supercharger* does the same job but is driven by the engine itself, costing power to gain power. Latin *turbo* meant a spinning top.
- A turbocharger. *A turbo engine.*
- Supercharger — belt-driven. *A supercharger.*
- Turbine — the spinning wheel. *A turbine.*
- Turbo lag — the delay before boost. *Turbo lag.*
- Latin — *turbo*, a spinning top. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | turbo | A turbo. |
| Full form | turbocharger | Turbocharger. |
| Related | turbine | A turbine. |
| Related | turbulence | Turbulence. |
| Latin | turbo | A whirl. |
- The turbo spools up quickly.Engine.
- It runs on exhaust gas.Mechanism.
- A supercharger is belt-driven.Contrast.
Turbo and supercharger compared
- Turbocharger — driven by exhaust gas, recovering waste energy
- Supercharger — driven by a belt from the engine, costing power
- Turbo lag — the delay while exhaust flow builds
- Superchargers respond instantly, which is their advantage
- Both increase the air forced into the cylinders
Short for *turbocharger*, from Latin *turbo*, a spinning top or whirlwind.
What drives a turbocharger?
Exhaust gas leaving the engine. It spins a turbine connected to a compressor, recovering energy that would otherwise be wasted.
What is turbo lag?
The delay between pressing the accelerator and the turbo producing boost, while exhaust flow builds up enough to spin the turbine.