Driving around Westminster
US 36 to Boulder, Federal Blvd, Sheridan, 120th Ave and the Northwest Parkway out toward Broomfield.
US 36 commuting is mostly steady highway miles, which is actually easy on a car. Just stay on top of tires and alignment, since a lot of these commuter cars get run until the tires are bald.
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.