Formula
At higher altitudes, air is less dense. Less oxygen means less fuel can be burned, reducing power.
Worked Example
This calculator provides estimates based on standard mathematical formulas. Real-world results will vary based on mechanical condition, environmental factors, and other variables.
Frequently Asked Questions
They lose much less than naturally aspirated cars because the turbocharger can spin faster to compress the thinner air and maintain manifold pressure.
A naturally aspirated engine loses roughly 3% of its power per 1,000 feet of elevation gain, because the air is thinner and less oxygen reaches the cylinders.
Naturally aspirated diesels lose power similarly, but most modern diesels are turbocharged, so they recover much of the loss by spinning the turbo faster.
Forced induction (turbo or supercharger) is the main fix, as it compresses the thinner air back to sea-level density. Tuning for the altitude also helps the air-fuel ratio.
Yes. Hot air is less dense, so high temperatures reduce power much like altitude. Cold, dense air makes more power, which is why cars often feel stronger on cool nights.