• Home
  • Denver Auto Repair Services
    • Full Service Oil Change
    • Automatic Transmission
    • Fuel System Cleaning
    • Radiator Flush Service
    • Wiper Blades
    • Air Filter
    • Cabin Air Filter
    • Gearbox Service
    • Brake Repair
    • Clutches
    • CV Boots
    • Tune-Up
    • Steering & Suspension
    • Tires
  • Auto Diagnostic
  • Contact Us
    • About Us
  • Shop Specials
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • 303-691-2760

Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

  • Brake Service
  • Car Maintenance
    • Heating-Air Conditioning
    • Suspension
    • Transmission
    • Engine
    • Tires
  • Oil Change
  • Tips & Tricks

Should High Altitude Change Your Car Maintenance Routine?

May 28, 2021 by Denver Express Car Care

Living here in Colorado, you’re probably aware of altitude sickness, or what is sometimes referred to as mountain sickness.

Many people come into our state from sea level, grab a car, and start climbing deep into the hills. They settle into a resort, and start playing. Shortly after, they experience headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, and more.

High altitude sickness is real, and it’s something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. But that’s with people. Can the same thing happen with a car? Can high altitude impact your car maintenance routine? Do cars driven here in the Rocky Mountains need more TLC than cars at sea level?

How high altitude impacts your car

Cars are manufactured in different parts of the world, and are brought into different regions based on needs and desires. The car you recently purchased here in Denver may have spent all of its life at sea level before being brought here. It may have been calibrated differently to accept conditions for where it was created.

For used cars, the vehicle adjusted to the conditions where it operated. At sea level, that means plenty of oxygen, possibly greater humidity levels, maybe even salty sea air speeding up the rusting process. Its condition is determined by the conditions in which it operates each day.

Then the car migrated here, to Colorado. The most noticeable condition is less air density. Every time your car is turned on, lower air density means less compression, which in turn impacts the way fuel components are triggered and used in the combustion process. Less density means the engine pulls less oxygen, nitrogen and argon as it moves through the process, which equates to less power used in operating your car.

In the industry, guidelines state that for every thousand feet of altitude gained, you’ll lose 3 percent power. That means here in Denver, you might feel your engine performance is a bit sluggish, especially if you’re used to driving your car at lower altitudes. Now bring it up into the mountains. You will notice the difference.

Should High Altitude Change Your Car Maintenance Routine?Reduced oxygen intake means the engine struggles to bring in enough air to feed into the system. This can lead to poor performance as well as inefficiencies. It can impact everything from acceleration to towing capabilities.

It’s not just the engine. You may also notice a change in the fuel system. Cars driven here require lower fuel octane than in other areas to start and keep the engine running. However, as you drive down to lower elevations, that can quickly change. If your check engine light comes on, this could be the cause.

It can also impact tire pressure. If you’ve ever driven from the hot plains to a cold mountain top, you know what that temperature difference can do to your body. Now think about your tires. It can rapidly change the performance of your tires, and decrease tire pressure. If you don’t check it, it can impact your steering precision, allowing for uneven tire wear, and impacting the fuel economy as you drive. If you drive into the mountains regularly, checking your tire pressure should be a normal part of your routine.

Car maintenance requirements for high altitude cars

If you’ve never considered what high altitude is doing to your vehicle before, it’s time to consider the changes your car goes through as you drive from location to location. If you’re planning a trip, it’s wise to have a tune-up before you leave to ensure your safety, and when you return to get your vehicle back in good working condition for the Colorado roads.

Things that should be checked include:

Air filters – your vehicle takes in less oxygen here in a high altitude environment. That means it pulls air harder to make the system work correctly. Maximizing airflow means keeping the system clean and working at its best. It can’t do that if the air filter is dirty or clogged.

Tire pressure – newer cars may have a sensor that tells you tire pressure. If not, it’s important to check it regularly, especially as you move in and out of the mountains. Get into the habit of checking tire pressure as you fill up with gas, or on a regular basis – monthly, perhaps. It takes a few seconds of your time, and could create a safer environment for your drive.

Brake pads – driving up and down steep mountain roads require more brake action. This can put more wear and tear on your braking systems over time. Pay attention to dashboard lights, opting to check out potential problems before they escalate.

Power steering – have you ever felt the wind on an open road push against your car, moving it slightly if you weren’t aware of the power? You’ll find that happens with more intensity here along the Front Range. You’ll also have the ability to move from the open plains to mountainous roads, all within a few hours of time. High winds can sneak up at any time, and it can impact your ability to keep your car under control, especially if your power steering system isn’t fully operational.

Fuel injectors – because your vehicle will be operating at a reduced pressure level, it’s important to keep fuel injectors clean and able to deliver fuel into the system without blockage. Depending on where you’re operating your vehicle, it may be operating at 20 percent or more reduced performance. Corroded or dirty fuel injectors will reduce that performance even more.

Do you have car maintenance in your schedule?

Regular car maintenance is always an important part of owning a car. When you live in the Mile High city, it’s even more essential.

With just a few simple checks each month, and by bringing your vehicle in for tune-ups regularly, you can ensure your car is operating at peak performance, and that your car is in the best condition possible.

Isn’t it nice to have peace of mind when you sit behind the wheel?

Filed Under: Car Maintenance Tagged With: High Altitude Car Maintenance

Express Car Care
4200 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO (map)
Phone: (303) 691-2760
Located just southeast of the Colorado Light Rail station

Follow Us Today!

  • Facebook
  • RSS

Shop Hours

Monday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Tuesday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Wednesday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Thursday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Friday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM
Saturday: Closed – A note from the owner
Sunday: Closed

Last car oil change time  – 5:00PM

Click for the BBB Business Review of this Auto Repair & Service in Denver CO

Recent Articles

How to Improve Stopping Power and Safety with Brake Maintenance

How to Improve Stopping Power and Safety with Brake Maintenance

What’s the stopping power of your car? How fast can you stop? Of course, that’s a loaded question. The answer is: It depends. It depends on: Inherently we know that our cars will stop differently … [Read More...]

  • Tune-Up Tips: How to Keep Your Car Running at its Best
  • The Role of Sensors in Your Car’s Anti-Lock Brake System: Understanding How They Work
  • Auto Repair and Suspension: How to Improve Handling and Ride Comfort
  • How Car Repair Affects your Warranty to Stay Protected
  • How to Choose the Right Mechanic for Your Car Clutch Repair

Search Our Site

Brakes Service

How to Improve Stopping Power and Safety with Brake Maintenance

The Role of Sensors in Your Car’s Anti-Lock Brake System: Understanding How They Work

The Importance of Regular Anti-Lock Brake System Maintenance

Oil Change

What an Oil Change and Oil Filter Replacement Do To Your Car

Does Your Hybrid Vehicle Need an Oil Change?

Regular vs Synthetic Motor Oil – What You Should Know

Suspension

This Is How You Know If You Have Suspension Problems

How Worn Out Shocks and Struts Can Cause An Accident

CV Joint and CV Boot Repair – What You Need To Know

Transmision Service

How to Choose the Right Mechanic for Your Car Clutch Repair

Sticking to a Budget – How To Handle Auto Repairs

How Heat Impacts Your Transmission

Engine Service

Sticking to a Budget – How To Handle Auto Repairs

The Most Common Sensors Used In Your Car’s Engine

How Engine Knocking Impacts Your Vehicle

Auto Tips & Tricks

How Auto Repair Reduces Your Carbon Footprint and Helps the Environment

Auto Repair Techniques to Improving Gas Mileage and Save Money

Do Trucks Last Longer Than Cars? Proper Maintenance Strategies

"Denvers Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube" - Copyright © 2023 - 4200 E. Evans Ave. Denver, CO 303-691-2760