Search | Car Forums | Gallery | Articles | Helper | AF 350Z | IgorSushko.com | Corporate |
| Latest | 0 Rplys |
|
Engineering/Technical Ask technical questions about cars. Do you know how a car engine works? |
Show Printable Version | Email this Page | Subscribe to this Thread |
|
Thread Tools |
06-07-2006, 09:47 PM | #1 | |
AF Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Rochester, New York
Posts: 1
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
High altitude effects
Has anyone experienced any interesting things that have happened to their vehicles while driving from a sea level altitude into the 5-7,000 feet above sea level range? I have a friend who recently drove from Long Island to Santa Fe, New Mexico and has been experiencing some strange happening with her vehicle. It stalls a lot and basically seems to be running a little rough, and it happened as soon as she arrived in Santa Fe. Just wondering! Thanks!!
|
|
06-07-2006, 10:11 PM | #2 | |
AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: CHI, Illinois
Posts: 527
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: High altitude effects
The air is less dense at high altitudes than at sea level. Thinner air means less oxygen for the car to use, thus it can't produce as much power.
The gasoline sold in these locations have special additives that compensate for the lower oxygen. Tell your friend that she should fill up with a full tank of the local gasoline and she should be fine. |
|
06-07-2006, 10:48 PM | #3 | |
AF -Advisor
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Seattle, Washington
Posts: 1,482
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: High altitude effects
we need an emote that says "this thread is useless without car discription"
If its a 63 dodge dart, then yes, this is perfectly normal. Most newish EFI cars self compensate for elevation changes.
__________________
life begins at 10psi of boost Three turbo'd motorcycles and counting. |
|
06-08-2006, 11:07 AM | #4 | |
AF Enthusiast
|
Re: High altitude effects
she might also want to disconnect and reconnect her battery to reset the computer.
__________________
Dr. Disque - Current cars: 2008 BMW 135i M-Sport 2011 Mazda2 Touring Past cars: 2007 Mazda 6S 5-door MT 1999 Ford Taurus SE Duratec |
|
06-08-2006, 12:32 PM | #5 | |
Professional Ninja Killer
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Penn Hills, Pennsylvania
Posts: 3,561
Thanks: 0
Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts
|
Re: High altitude effects
If its a carbed car, it will most likely have a much lower idle, run a bit richer, make much less power, and even stall. My 454 didn't like Flagstaff one bit without some tuning. I was only there three days so I put up with it.
If its EFI, the only thing you should notice is a loss of power. The computer will sense less air, less oxygen, less ambient air pressure, and inject less fuel to keep a proper mixture. Idle should stay the same, but less air and fuel means less power.
__________________
Dragging people kicking and screaming into the enlightenment. |
|
06-08-2006, 11:05 PM | #6 | |
blue + red light magnet
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Posts: 9,195
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
Re: High altitude effects
Just also to add a tiny thing to what Curtis said. It should be noted that these effects (lose of power) are alot more noticeable on naturally aspired cars. Cars with forced induction, such as turbocharged vehicles, do not suffer nearly as much.
__________________
96 3000gt vr4 -K&N FIPK -Proboost mbc -Cusco front + rear strut bars -Greddy type-s -ATR downpipe -no cats -15Gs, 3sx aluminum pulley, FMIC, SAFC, walboro pump, EVO 560ccs, and Meth Injection Kit all waiting to go in shortly. Your 1996 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 is the 92nd out of the 315 that were made that year. Only 21 of which are exactly identical. |
|
|
POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD |
|
|