Performance Unlimited Blog

A customer, at Ringwood-based Performance Unlimited, had their car towed in the other day because the engine wouldn’t run. The damage to internal parts of the engine were extensive and, unfortunately for the customer, avoidable. The car’s timing belt broke causing a chain reaction of internal-engine damage. Denny Norton, the owner of Performance Unlimited, feels bad for the customer. More than that, he began warning friends and other customers about the importance of replacing their timing belts before they break. “Generally, you should replace the timing belt after 100,000 miles,” said Norton. “It is expensive. However, if it breaks, there’s a good chance it will do damage inside your engine. It’s not uncommon to have a bill that runs as high as several thousand dollars.” Timing belts are made of a composite material. That the material can last as long as 100,000 miles speaks highly of it’s durability (with some cars, it’s recommended that you replace the belt after 60,000 mil...

There are 10 days left – 10 days to bring your car into a NAPA AutoCare Center, such as Performance Unlimited in Ringwood, for a rebate on electrical components – NAPA battery,, alternator or starter. The offer is extremely timely in a general sense as, with autumn and winter pending, you’ll probably want to have your charging system checked anyhow. Checking your charging system before winter arrives is a great way to avoid those nasty situations where the cold is too much for your car and it won’t start. All three of these components can have that effect on a car. If the battery doesn’t have sufficient juice for the job it won’t turn the starter. If the starter is faulty, it may demand more juice than even a good battery can offer. The alternator is what puts the juice in the battery to begin with. More than that, the alternator also provides the electrical current necessary to keep the car running. Suppose the alternator works but doesn’t quite work hard enough. You’re driving ...

How do avoid these excessive and costly automotive repair bills or breaking down unexpectedly on the side of the road somewhere while traveling miles from McHenry? The answer to both questions is simple – automotive maintenance. If you take care of your car it will take care of you. If you treat it badly and let it lapse into disrepair, don’t be surprised if the additional costs and unreliability your car will generate and exhibit. When it comes to taking care of your car, automotive maintenance is really not that hard to keep with. In fact, if procedures are done in their time, you can rest assured that you won’t have many unexpected costs or breakdowns. Oil changes; checking the antifreeze/coolant, the thermostat and hoses; testing the battery, alternator and starter; checking the belts, brakes, exhaust, steering and suspension – these are all critical matters in their time. So, when is the right time for automotive maintenance? Here is a basic guide though you’ll want to chec...

Have you suddenly noticed that your car is louder than it used to be? When you drive down the street in McHenry, do people cover their ears as you go by? Do you find yourself shouting at the top of your lungs when trying to order drive-through food? These are all ‘subtle’ clues that your exhaust system may require some attention. If it’s bad enough, you may even experience another clue – the kind where a McHenry Police Officer pulls you over and gives you  a ticket for loud exhaust. If the car is loud now, if you don’t do something about it, it will only get louder. As the car grows louder the sound indicates that parts of the exhaust system are broken or deteriorating. Rust is one of the first offenders when it comes to attacking the integrity of your exhaust system. Over time, the rust can work its way through solid metal until pin holes develop. The rust will also weaken the metal to the extent that road bumps can cause exhaust parts to fracture. If you’ve ever seen som...