Is Colorado bad for your car?
We know that higher altitudes can affect your health, but what about your vehicle? Living in Colorado brings a different set of considerations in terms of being a car owner, some of which you may not be fully aware of. Whether you drove your car across the country or purchased it here, it's important to make sure you are taking the right steps to keep your car in good shape. Read on to learn more about how Colorado can impact the long-term health of your car.
Less Power
If you didn't know, there is less oxygen in areas of higher altitudes. This causes the engine performance to become inefficient, as there is less air available to feed the internal combustion engine. Typically, the engine will lose around 3% of its power for every 1,000 feet of altitude climbed. The journey from Pittsburgh to Denver, for example, could result in around 12% of a vehicle's horsepower being lost. This can cause problems with your vehicle's climbing ability and acceleration.
Tire Pressure
Elevation, along with cold weather, can cause your tire pressure to decrease. Lower tire pressure can lead to issues such as lower fuel economy, poor steering precision, uneven tire tread, and potentially even tire failure. For this reason, it is very important to check in on your car's tire pressure and to take care of any necessary maintenance. We recommend Bighorn Automotive for all your car maintenance needs!
Fuel Economy
Driving in Colorado actually requires a lower fuel octane than in areas of lower elevation. Keep in mind, this will change if you travel to lower altitude areas and could actually cause the check engine light to come on. Make sure to stay on top of these things and have your car looked at for any concerns. While you may get used to using octane ratings at around 85, it is important to remember that different climates can require different octane levels.
Higher Chance of Vapor Lock
Vapor lock can occur in higher temperatures and altitudes. While the winters can be cold and snowy, we also know that here in the Mile High City, we are closer to the sun than in some other areas. So what exactly is vapor lock? This occurs when bubbles form in gasoline due to overheating and block the flow of fuel to the engine. Traffic is another contributing factor to vapor lock, and we all know and complain about how the traffic in Denver can be. (Some people will go as far as telling others to "stop moving here!" As a transplant myself, I would never.)
As we know, taking care of your vehicle is very important. Some additional things to consider checking in on when driving somewhere that has higher altitudes include, but are not limited to, brake pads and air filters. There are a few different things that can happen when driving somewhere like Colorado. If you take precautions and have your vehicle regularly taken in for maintenance, these issues can be resolved, or even prevented. We want you and your car to be in top condition!
