How to Protect a Turbo

1. Drive lightly when you first start your car. Since a turbocharger is oil lubricated, it is important that you stay out of boost (not develop positive pressure in the turbocharger) until your engine oil temperature reaches normal. This means you should drive gently for the first few minutes when you first start the car.
2. Drive lightly a few minutes before you stop and park your car. Because turbochargers are driven by an engine's exhaust system, they run at extremely high temperatures. The turbocharger gets hot, even red hot when you have been driving hard. If you drive hard and immediately turn off the engine, lubricating oil sits in the turbocharger housing and can burn or breakdown and 'coke' the turbocharger bearings. Ideally, let your car sit for a minute or two at idle if you have been driving hard to help ensure the turbocharger has a long service life. Or, you can achieve the same result by simply driving slowly and staying out of boost as you get close to your destination. Even modern water-cooled turbochargers reach extremely high temperatures and benefit from a cool-down period before turning the engine off.
3. Use synthetic oil. Oil is the lifeblood of your turbocharger, and fresh synthetic oil is the number one safeguard for a turbocharger. In addition, change your oil frequently. You can buy fully synthetic oil at automotive supply stores or just ask your service center to install fully synthetic oil every time you have the oil changed.
4. Periodically inspect your engine bay's vacuum hoses. Turbochargers add complexity in the form of air hoses that run from the intercooler as well as to the intake manifold. If you have a leaky air hose, the turbocharger will work harder to maintain boost since air pressure is being lost. Check your hoses every couple of months for tears, leaks or to see if any hoses have come loose.