How does a turbocharger enhance engine performance at high altitudes?

A turbocharger enhances engine performance at high altitudes primarily by forcing additional air into the engine. At higher elevations, the air is thinner, meaning there’s less oxygen available for combustion. A turbocharger uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine, which in turn compresses incoming air before it enters the engine. This process increases the density of the air entering the engine, allowing for a more robust combustion process despite the lower ambient air pressure and available oxygen.

This additional air supply enables the engine to maintain or increase its power output, compensating for the losses that typically occur at high altitudes. As a result, turbocharged engines can perform better under these conditions compared to naturally aspirated engines, which cannot force additional air into the intake and may experience significant power losses in thinner air.