While the overall external appearance of a Mini has changed very little since its initial conception, in recent years, huge changes have been going on behind the scenes; more accurately, under the hood. Many modern Minis now feature a supercharger system which makes driving a Mini both practical and efficient with high-performance power, too. Put simply, with modern Minis, you can really have the best of both worlds.

With this being such a recent addition, many dedicated Mini drivers may be experiencing a supercharged vehicle for the first time and aren’t up to speed on its proper maintenance. Let’s take a closer look at the supercharger system and how it works. We’ll also explain why you need to use supercharger oil when operating a supercharged Mini.

The Supercharger System

There are many myths surrounding the supercharger system. The most prevailing misconception is that “supercharger” is just another word for “turbo.” However, these are two separate and wholly-different types of power-boosting systems.

On a very simplistic level, the supercharger is a form of air compressor which is powered by the engine’s crankshaft through the use of a belt. This means that the supercharger’s air compression cannot function without the engine.

On the other hand, a turbocharger utilizes waste energy to boost power to the engine. Therefore, it runs independently from the engine system.

The Perk is Horsepower

What makes a supercharger so popular is that the power that is created by the system can be delivered instantaneously, giving you a horsepower boost when you need it. This is in direct contrast to a turbocharger, which collects and builds up waste energy overtime.

The supercharger is also able to provide you with power when driving at low RPM too, which makes it ideal for consumer and commuter vehicles, which will commonly need to idle at traffic lights or intersections. The fact that superchargers are also affordable to run also makes them perfect for mass-market motoring.

The Cons of a Supercharged Mini

Of course, very few great things in life are without a few drawbacks, and there are a few that come with Mini’s superchargers. The most obvious con is that when using the supercharger, your miles-per-gallon will decrease. This is because the supercharger requires your engine to work a bit harder, meaning it will need more fuel, though you do gain that huge boost in performance. Many drivers enjoy the power surge and will accept a drop in fuel efficiency for this perk.

A second con to using the supercharger is that it can cause slightly accelerated wear to your engine, since it causes the engine’s systems to be exposed to increased heat and pressure. A supercharger requires the engine to work a little harder, too. While this does sound alarming, it is important to remember that any accelerated wear and tear can be counteracted by keeping on top of maintenance practices, such as topping off the supercharger oil.

Why Supercharger Oil is Essential

Supercharger oil is essential to your supercharged car for so many reasons. First, it lubricates the moving parts of the system, reducing heat created by friction and preventing parts from becoming dry and seizing. Oil also reduces part wear.

It is essential to note that the supercharger is not lubricated by engine oil. In fact, engine oil should never come into contact with the supercharger at all.

The supercharger system requires special supercharger oil, as it is formulated to deal with the specific rigors of a supercharger. This oil can be added to the system via the supercharger’s separate oil reservoir. It should be checked and refilled as needed, just like your engine oil.

While superchargers are quite an affordable upgrade, repairing and replacing the supercharger is notoriously expensive. The leading way in which a supercharger system can fail or become damaged is lack of supercharger oil. Therefore, to save you the inconvenience of repairs and shelling out your hard earned cash, make sure you care for the supercharger’s oil as you would with any type of regular maintenance.

Das European Autohaus are Here to Help

Das European Autohaus of Spring, TX are you friendly local experts in imported European cars. We’re passionate about all things in European motoring, and we look forward to becoming your expert MINI repair and maintenance center. If you’re looking for great auto servicing from a name you can trust, don’t hesitate to request an appointment.