No power at higher altitudes

Denver

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don't

There is definite loss in power (about 10%) when you get up to Denver (5000 ft). When you get into the mountains (8000 - 10000 ft) it is even worse. The problem is really torque.

When you get into the mountains you need to turn off your overdrive switch when going uphill. This prevents your transmission from switching into 4th gear (or overdrive). In some cases, you also may need to downshift your automatic transmission to "2, but be very careful that you shift back to "D" when you reach the top of the hill or are going downhill.

If you are not familiar with the overdrive switch on you vehicle, check the owners manual.

Also, I would use mid-grade gas in Colorado, because the octane rating for gas is lower in high altitude locations (by design of the oil companies). This usually works best for most cars with newer sophisticated ECU's, but since you have a 96 model, it may not adjust as well.

Welcome to the Rockies.

Im just guessing here but could the oxygen sensor be bad. You may also be just needing a tune up and are actualy lacking normal power. The timing belt stretches as it gets old. My camry was retarded 4 degrees once reset it had alot more power and milage. Perhaps you need a tune up alot of little things will add up to reduced power. A dragging brake, retarded timing, old oils, dirty air filter. Get it checked out. Last year I was getting 20 mpg I had a draging brake, retarded timing and bad O2 sensor, old air filter. I then switched motor to 5-30, trans and differential all to Mobil synthetic. all done I went to 28-29 mpg .

If the O2 sensor was bad the check engine light comes on. People who drive in the Rockies the first time (7000 - 10000 ft) don't understand that you need to downshift out of overdrive when going uphill on long grade. Happens to all newbie's in the Rockies.

There are TWO things the ECU looks for from the O2 sensor. (1) is the heating element open? and (2) is there an oscillating signal coming from the O2 sensor. It takes a complete failure of either for the ECU to set a code and kick ON the Check Engine light.

--
  -Philip

In spite of wars, pestilence, Great Floods, volcanoes,
and celestial collisions, the Earth and Mankind persist.

The car just had a tuneup, new timing belt, fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs, oil and filter, before leaving Atlanta. I got an average of 30 mpg on the trip out there at speeds mostly around 80mph. It sounds like what I'm experiencing is normal for a 4 cylinder in the mountains from what other have said I'm just a rookine driving in the mountains.

"> Im just guessing here but could the oxygen sensor be bad. You may also

mpg

other

You are correct sir. And if your car is full with passengers, you are going to have work extremely hard driving the 96 Camry with only 125 hp in the mountains. A new 2005 Camry with 4 cylinders has 160 hp. (Not to mention the V6 and V8 vehicles you will see in the mountains.)

spark

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The new Camry 4 cyl is 145hp I thought?

Jason

2005's are 160 hp

Just acquired a 95 in NY and got great mileage (35-40) on the drive out to Denver but the closer I got the worse it got. I'm only getting 28mpg on my commute to work. Not really that bad for this big a car with automatic but disappointing after a Saturn (twin cam, 5sp) that got

35-40mpg with a lot more performance. OTOH the Camry is a far more comfortable and quiet ride. The Camry is a bit heavy and long geared which works okay on the flats but requires some extra downshifts as soon as it hits the hills. It could be worse, I used to drive an old VW Bus, 2nd gear and about 35mph up Floyd Hill and still never got much more than 20mpg.

Mitch

Did you drive your Saturn up to Denver?

You cannot compare highway gas mileage with Denver in-town driving gas mileage (unless you went to work at 5 AM and came home at midnight).

Yep, driving in Denver, same commute. I am somewhat light on the gas and you can do a lot better on mpg when you control the shifting and don't have to feed the torque converter. Its not like I'm recommending the Saturn, hated the driving position and working on it wasn't much fun. OTOH the steering feel on the Cmary is numb and it doesn't seem to do very well on snow, though its hard to compare with different tires and snow conditions. Haven't had to do anything, except the electric windows and an oil change on the Camry and based on its reputation, I don't expect to have to for awhile.

Yep, that's wot they say. I notice especially with the 5SFE that hp figs vary from 125hp to 135hp depending which site you look at and to some extent which country...thw later 2.4L is rated between 257 and 260hp

Jason