What does a turbocharger use to function?

A turbocharger functions by utilizing exhaust gases from the engine. When an engine burns fuel, it produces exhaust gases as a byproduct. The turbocharger captures some of these gases and uses them to spin a turbine. This action creates a vacuum that draws in more air through the engine intake, ultimately forcing more air into the engine's cylinders. The additional air allows for more fuel to be burned, which results in increased power output without significantly increasing the engine's size.

This reliance on exhaust gases is key to the turbocharger's function—it transforms what would otherwise be waste emissions into a means of enhancing the engine's efficiency and performance. Thus, the correct understanding of a turbocharger's operation highlights its role in improving an engine's power-to-weight ratio and overall efficiency by recycling exhaust gases.