January 1989

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Dear Tom and Ray:

I drive a 1987 Dodge Shadow with a 2.2 liter turbocharged engine and standard transmission. I would like to know the best way to drive the car to maintain the engine. Is using the turbo charger bad for the engine?
Richard

RAY: Do this experiment: Find a large football player, preferably overweight. Stand with your back to him, and tell him to take a running start from 20 to 30 feet back and throw himself at you. That's how the crankshaft of your engine feels when the turbo charger kicks in. But you do what you think is best.

TOM: With turbo charging, you're not getting "something for nothing." The extra power comes at the expense of additional wear and tear on the engine. The less you use it, the longer the engine will last. Ask Joe Theisman.

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© 2006 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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Auto repairs can be costly! Save money by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet: "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.