Driving around Thornton
I-25, I-76, E-470 and 120th and 104th Avenues. Wind is a real thing up here.
North metro wind blows a lot of grit around. Cabin and engine air filters fill up faster than the schedule says. They're cheap and easy, so check them every oil change.
Front Range driving, in general
- Altitude. At a mile up, non-turbo engines make noticeably less power and turbos work harder. Coolant boils at a lower temperature too, so a weak radiator cap or a small leak shows up sooner here.
- Hail. Spring and summer storms can total a car in ten minutes. Comprehensive coverage and a garage are the real fix.
- Winter. Magnesium chloride on the roads is hard on brake lines, exhaust parts and undercarriages. Rinse the underside in spring.
- Mountain grades. I-70 and US 285 are hard on brakes and cooling systems. Fresh brake fluid and a healthy water pump matter more here than at sea level.