An automotive tune up more than pays for itself in mileage and repairs

Cars now days don’t require a tune-up as often as their ancestors did. Each vehicle is different. Check with your owner’s manual or mechanic to see what’s specific to your car. Of course, if the car isn’t running smoothly, gas mileage has dropped or you notice any other abnormalities in the way it drives, it’s time to bring the car in to a trusted auto-repair shop.

Spark plugs are now designed to last up to 100,000 miles. That doesn’t guarantee, however, that they’ll operate at peak performance for the duration of that period. In fact, if the car wasn’t properly tuned earlier, or is otherwise out of adjustment, the wear and tear on spark plugs can increase dramatically.

Other aspects of a tune up include checking and/or replacing the ignition wires, the fuel filter, the pvc filter, adjusting the fuel injectors or carburetor and the timing. A good mechanic will also take a look at your belts, hoses, vacuum lines and other engine parts to ensure you won’t find yourself on the side of the road looking for a tow a few miles later.

A car that is properly tuned will get better gas mileage, run more reliably and will last longer than a car that is out of adjustment. All of these factors can save the consciences driver more money in gasoline, repairs, early replacement of the vehicle and the cost of towing and taxicabs.

When bringing your car in for a tune up, make sure you use a qualified mechanic. Denny Norton, at Performance Unlimited, 5415 Austin Court, Ringwood, said it’s best to use a certified mechanic.

“Our mechanics are ASE certified and consistently take courses to stay on top of the latest changes in automotive technology,” he said. “That’s a commitment we feel our customers deserve. If your auto-repair shop hasn’t made that same commitment, I’d recommend that you look for a qualified mechanic to keep you on the road.”

For more information about Performance Unlimited, visit www.4performanceunlimited.com or call 815-728-0343.

Comments

Is your antifreeze safe from freezing this Richmond winter

You still have time to have it checked Well, there’s no denying it – winter tends to get chilly here in Richmond. We have to deal with snow and ice on the roads, scraping the same off our windows and windshield, and staying warm while we drive. Of course, you had your antifreeze checked before winter rolled into town. What?! You didn’t have your antifreeze checked before winter clamped down on Richmond? So, how’s your antifreeze doing? If you haven’t had it checked, there’s really no way of knowing, is there? This car has overheated in the middle of a Richmond winter. But, on the other end of the spectrum, the antifreeze can also freeze if it's not up to its job. Hopefully, you haven’t had a serious problem with your antifreeze already. If you did, you’d probably know. When antifreeze fails, it’s a potentially catastrophic condition for your vehicle’s engine. You could have hoses that have burst because of freezing antifreeze. Worse than that, your engine block may have crac...

Blocks of ice falling from cars in McHenry could cause accidents or damage

We’ve all seen those blocks of snow falling from behind the rear tires of a car when the snow rolls into McHenry . Fortunately, they’re just packed snow that will disintegrate under your vehicle’s tires as you simply drive right through them, right? Don’t count on it. Those blocks of snow are often packed so tight, condensed by the thaw-and-freeze cycle, that they’re anything but oversized snowballs . They’re often more like boulders. Hit one of those blocks and the collision between the block and one of your tires could send you careening off the road or into oncoming traffic. In some cases, they’re so solid you could pound them with a sledgehammer with little effect. They truly can represent a serious road hazard. The problem is that it’s difficult to tell how solidly they’re packed when you see them on the road, left their unwittingly by another driver. Either way, your best bet is to try to avoid them. But you want to be careful dodging blocks of ice in the road, too. You need...

Get out to McHenry Music Festival for a good time and music near to home

Some folks here in McHenry will load up the car and head out to Red Rock Amphitheater near Denver to see a show. Some will go to the MSG Sphere near Las Vegas. Some will go to the Bonaroo Festival Concert to see a show. That’s quite a bit of driving and you’d better make sure your vehicle is up to the trip. What happens, however, if something goes wrong – if your vehicle breaks down while driving there or back? What happens if the show is canceled, as happened this year with the Bonaroo Festival? We’re talking about some serious inconvenience, aren’t we? Wherever you go, whether your driving to Colorado, Nevada, Tennessee or anywhere else in this continent, you want to perform your due diligence and make sure the vehicle is up for the trip before you go. And it doesn’t really matter if you’re driving somewhere to see some live music or for any other purpose. A breakdown can be costly and may put you at the mercy of weather conditions or nefarious characters that come across you while y...

Performance Unlimited Blog

Search This Blog