Performance Unlimited Blog

It was the second time Jean noticed the little orange warning light flash on in her dashboard beside the speedometer. The first time, she thought it was a fluke. Or, maybe, just hoped it was a fluke. She told herself, “If I see it again, I’ll worry.” But then it flashed again. “It may not have meant anything, or at least not something important,” she thought out loud. But, deep down, she knew there was the potential that it could be something serious – something that requires immediate attention. But the car seemed to run OK and she reassured herself, somewhat, that there was nothing to worry about. So she drove and, like it or not, she worried. Now she began to play the guessing game: “What could it be?” Jean really didn’t know. She recalled watching the television show “Big Bang Theory” where the one girl drove with the “Check Engine” light on. The geeks commented and the girl had a so-what attitude that annoyed the geeks. It was a joke the writers must have put into the script ...

It’s an easily recognizable chain and the word “Tires” is in its name. So, of course, that’s where you go for tires, fully expecting that tires are their expertise. But, when you walk in the door, some pimple-faced kid starts explaining tires, in a monologue clearly rehearsed, as though you didn’t know tires are actually round. The truth is, “Tire” stores are often the automotive equivalent of fast food. Expecting to find true and deep knowledge about tires there is about the same as expecting the young boy or girl flipping burgers at McFast King Burgers to properly prepare a seven-course Surf & Turf dinner. The odds are astronomical. So, if you won’t find true automotive tire expertise at a “Tire” store, where will you find it? The answer is simple – at a qualified auto repair shop. Consider the level of automotive training you’ll typically find at each store.  At the “Tire” store, you’ll most often speak with someone who has observed someone else, who observed someone...

In the rear-view mirror, you see your daughter’s anxious smile from the car seat in back. Dressed in her ballet outfit, you wonder to yourself how anyone could be so incredibly precious. Though your eyes were off the road for just a moment, that’s all it took; In that instance, a car has missed the red light and pulled into your path. Before you’re fully conscious of what has happened, your foot is already moving to the brake pedal. The car screeches to a stop just inches from the offending driver’s vehicle. Your first reaction is to look in the backseat again to ensure that your daughter is OK. A little puzzled by the sudden stop, she’s otherwise unaware of just how close a call you, and she, had. Everything worked together – your reaction time, the traction of your tires and the efficiency of your brakes. But, what if your tires weren’t up to the job or your brakes were seriously worn? The story above might have ended with ambulance rides, hospital stays and, possibly, even worse...