Why does my car lose power at high altitude?

Losing power on the climb? Call (970) 317-2009 or Book appointment online. Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Why does thinner air cut engine power?

A gasoline engine makes power by burning fuel with the oxygen in the air it pulls in. Higher up, the air is less dense, so every intake stroke carries less oxygen. The engine computer adds less fuel to match, and the result is a smaller burn and less push at the wheels.

The Federal Aviation Administration's Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge says it plainly: as air becomes less dense, it reduces power, because the engine takes in less air. The same handbook lists high elevations and high temperatures among the conditions that thin the air, so a hot summer afternoon up high is when a car feels weakest.

How much power does a car lose at altitude?

There is no single number for every car. As a general rule, Garrett, a turbocharger maker, says an engine without a turbo loses about 3 percent of its power for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. By that rule of thumb, a car in Durango, at about 6,512 feet, has roughly a fifth less power than it would at sea level, and it gives up more on the climbs toward Coal Bank, Molas, and Red Mountain Pass on US-550. Treat that as a rough guide, not a spec for your car.

Do turbocharged engines lose power at altitude?

Less. A turbocharger compresses air before it enters the engine, which makes up for much of the thinner air. Garrett notes that turbocharged engines can hold their power as elevation rises, while engines without a turbo keep losing it. If a turbo engine that used to pull well up high suddenly feels flat, that change is worth a scan.

When is power loss at altitude a problem?

Normal altitude loss is steady. The car feels a little lazier on the climb, then fine again back in town. Watch for signs that are not about thin air: a sudden drop in power, stumbling or shaking under load, hesitation when you press the gas, a check engine light, or power that stays weak in town too.

Common causes include a clogged engine air filter, worn spark plugs, a weak fuel pump, dirty or failing injectors, and sensor faults that store a code. Ace AutoFix does engine air filter, spark plug, and fuel pump and injector work.

Next step: if the check engine light came on or the power dropped all at once, see our check engine light diagnosis in Durango page for how Ace AutoFix scans the codes and finds the failed part.

How can I keep power up in the mountains?

Keep up with the maintenance your owner's manual lists, especially the engine air filter and spark plugs, and use the fuel the manual calls for. On a long climb, let the transmission downshift and keep the engine in a lower gear instead of flooring it in a high one. Heat and load go together on a grade, so our post on why cars overheat on US-550 covers the cooling side, and oil changes at high altitude covers staying on schedule up here.

Who checks power loss in Durango?

Ace AutoFix is a locally owned shop at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We work on any brand of car and on gas or light-duty trucks. We do not work on diesel vehicles. We scan the codes, tell you what we found and what it will take before any work starts, and nothing gets added without your OK. The price is labor and parts, with no supply, ordering, or disposal fees. If a warning light is on, our post on whether it is safe to drive with the check engine light on helps you decide what to do next.

Book with Ace AutoFix

Call (970) 317-2009 or Book appointment online. Ace AutoFix is locally owned at 320 Wilson Gulch Dr, Durango, CO 81301, open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Cars and gas or light-duty trucks. No diesel.