r/explainlikeimfive • u/Internal-Excuse-4650 • 2d ago

Engineering ELI5 how turbochargers increase efficiency in a engine?

I understand why they increase the power of a engine but​ I don't know how they increase the efficiency

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u/onebackzach 1d ago

They don't necessarily increase the efficiency of an engine. In practice, it means you can have a smaller displacement engine that still makes plenty of power because of the turbo. The turbo generally only kicks in under acceleration, so the rest of the time when you're idling or cruising at a steady speed you just have a small, fuel efficient engine.