What is the impact of high altitude on fuel consumption?
2 Answers
High altitude affects fuel consumption by reducing air pressure and decreasing engine air intake, leading to incomplete fuel combustion. This directly results in reduced vehicle power and increased fuel consumption. Factors affecting fuel consumption: Vehicle weight, car design, engine thermal efficiency. Methods to reduce fuel consumption: Shift gears promptly: Prolonged driving in low gears not only maintains low speed but also increases fuel consumption, especially when driving on slopes. The shorter the gear shifting time, the more fuel can be saved. Reduce idle time: In urban driving, long waits at traffic lights are common. Turning off the engine during these times can save fuel. Drive at economical speed: The economical speed for most cars is between 60 km/h and 80 km/h. Fuel consumption is minimized when driving within this speed range.
I've driven to high-altitude areas several times before and noticed that fuel consumption does increase. The reason is that the air density decreases at high altitudes, resulting in less oxygen being drawn into the engine, which reduces combustion efficiency. To maintain power, the computer system automatically injects more fuel to compensate, but this actually increases fuel consumption by about 10-20%. I've tried driving on roads above 2,000 meters in altitude, and the car's acceleration became slower. I had to press the accelerator deeper to keep up, and as a result, the fuel gauge dropped really fast. Additionally, when the weather gets colder, the engine may need to work harder to stay warm, which also worsens fuel consumption. Overall, this effect is more noticeable in naturally aspirated engines, while turbocharged models fare better. It's recommended to check the car's condition before long trips to avoid extra expenses. When driving in high-altitude areas, I always bring extra money as a backup for fuel costs.