How does altitude typically affect engine performance?

Altitude significantly impacts engine performance primarily due to the reduction in air density as altitude increases. At higher elevations, the atmospheric pressure decreases, leading to less oxygen being available for combustion in the engine. This diminished availability of oxygen results in reduced engine power and efficiency.

In internal combustion engines, the engine's ability to draw in air for combustion is directly related to the air density. As altitude increases, the thinner air means that the engine cannot intake the same volume of air (and therefore the same volume of fuel) as it can at sea level. Consequently, this leads to a decrease in the overall power output of the engine.

While cooler temperatures at higher altitudes can have a positive effect on efficiency, the decrease in air density usually has a more pronounced negative impact on engine performance, which is why altitude adjustment needs to be considered for optimal engine operation.