If your Mini has a supercharger, then you’re likely to enjoy high engine efficiency and power while driving. You may also spot a few extra steps in your owner’s manual to keep on a regular maintenance plan. For example, because the supercharger uses a separate oil reservoir to stay lubricated, your Mini’s maintenance plan may include supercharger oil changes as well as engine oil changes.
Although supercharger oil changes may seem less consequential than other aspects of vehicle maintenance, this is actually quite important, as this specific oil helps keep your Mini’s supercharger running properly. This improves the engine’s performance and fuel efficiency.
How Superchargers Work
The primary purpose of your Mini’s supercharger is to increase the efficiency of your vehicle’s engine. To do this, the supercharger pumps extra air into your vehicle’s combustion chamber, allowing the chamber to generate more power.
In contrast to turbochargers, which serve a similar purpose but draw their power from exhaust fumes, superchargers are powered by belts attached to their vehicle’s crankshafts. As such, superchargers have multiple moving parts, all of which rely on oil to operate smoothly together.
Problems Caused by Low Supercharger Oil
If your Mini’s supercharger starts to run low on oil, your vehicle may face a variety of problems ranging from minor to severe. For example, one of the most common issues caused by low supercharger oil is component damage.
If your vehicle’s supercharger runs out of oil, its gears will begin to scrape painfully against each other. Although the gears may be able to withstand a bit of this scraping and grinding, prolonged exposure to high stress and friction can cause these components to break down. If this happens, the supercharger may stop working entirely.
Furthermore, if the gears of your Mini’s supercharger are poorly lubricated, their decreased functionality may interfere with other components in your vehicle’s engine. More specifically, because the supercharger is directly connected to the crankshaft via a belt, stuck supercharger gears may prevent the crankshaft from working properly. This can cause huge issues for your vehicle’s engine.
In addition to component failure, another common problem that may result from low supercharger oil is decreased engine efficiency. If your Mini’s supercharger lacks the oil to work properly, then the amount of air that flows into your vehicle’s engine will decrease. Not only will this cause the engine to lose some of its power, but it will also force the engine to use more fuel to compensate. Therefore, low supercharger oil may lead to a decrease in both engine power and fuel efficiency.
Signs of Supercharger Malfunctions
On average, experts recommend changing your vehicle’s supercharger oil every 50,000 miles, as doing so may help prevent some of the problems discussed above. However, vehicle problems aren’t always predictable, and your Mini’s supercharger may accidentally run out of oil before the 50,000 mile mark. Fortunately, supercharger oil problems often produce several symptoms that are difficult to miss.
The first sign of a supercharger malfunction will often be decreased fuel efficiency. If you notice that you are having to top off your vehicle’s fuel tank more often, you may want to have the supercharger examined along with the engine. Similarly, decreased engine performance is also an extremely common sign of supercharger failure.
Additionally, unusual engine noises may also indicate that something is wrong with your vehicle’s supercharger. When a supercharger is working properly, its gears should produce a unique whining sound that is high-pitched yet consistent. However, if a supercharger runs out of oil, its gears may generate loud grinding noises. As such, if you notice the sound of grinding gears coming from under your Mini’s hood, you should strive to have its supercharger checked by a professional mechanic as soon as possible.
My Euro Pro Will Help
Although supercharger oil changes can occasionally be performed at home, they are more complicated than 
regular oil changes and are best handled by a professional. If you suspect that your Mini’s supercharger oil needs changing, contact the experts at My Euro Pro.
For over 35 years, our family-owned auto repair shop has provided exemplary service to customers in Myrtle Beach and Charleston, SC. We are specialists in European automotive repair and would love to help you keep your vehicle running smoothly. If your Mini requires an oil change or even a complete supercharger replacement, give us a call to find out what we can do for you.
* Mini Cooper Car image credit goes to: Neydtstock.