Performance Unlimited Blog

Have you noticed that your car doesn’t crank over as fast as it used to do when you turn the key to start the engine? Before, the starter turned so fast that the engine caught and started to run almost immediately. Now, when you turn the key, it sounds like the engine is soaking in a tub of molasses. Yes, the cold weather of winter has something to do with that. When it’s cold out, the oil is thicker. It takes more effort for the starter to turn an engine with thick oil. But, there’s a chance that it’s more than just the thicker oil. How strong is your battery? That’s the question. And if your battery is five-years old or more, there’s a good chance the answer is ‘not all that strong anymore.’ The cold weather, and that thicker oil, will test the strength of any battery. Older batteries are more likely to fail that test and five years is a milestone few batteries pass with flying colors. It’s not a bad idea to have your charging system checked each fall, too. The charging system includ...

A problem with either of these could stop you in your tracks. If a hose breaks or cracks, antifreeze/coolant will exit the cooling system. In rather short order, your car will overheat. Then, you’ll have a choice of pulling over to the side of the road or ruining your engine. On the other hand, if the belt that drives your alternator, power steering pump and water pump breaks, you’ll also want to find a place to pull over soon, or even an auto repair shop if you can get there without driving too far. The first thing you’ll notice, if the belt breaks (usually a serpentine belt), is that the steering wheel is harder to turn. As soon as the power-steering pump stops pumping, the steering assistance it offers ceases. The next thing you’re liable to notice, if you watch your lights and gauges, is that the alternator gauge has dropped to about zero. If it’s at night, soon you may notice the lights dimming. As soon as the belt stopped turning the alternator, it stopped producing electricity. ...

Several of the staff at the pizza restaurant were discussing the treacherous driving conditions the other day. Outside, the wind was howling and snow was swirling like a dervish unleashed. “I hit some black ice today,” the waitress said. “It was really scary.” “What is black ice?” someone asked. A delivery driver suggested that black ice is ice on the pavement that you can’t see. Another suggested that black ice is ice that is under the snow. “So, if you can’t see it, how do you know it’s there?” another asked. “You know it’s there when your car starts sliding,” said the waitress. “I sure knew it was there this afternoon.” So, what is black ice? Here is the definition provided by Wikipedia: “Black ice , sometimes called  clear ice , refers to a thin coating of  glazed ice  on a surface. While not truly  black , it is virtually  transparent , allowing black  asphalt / macadam  roadways or the surface below to be seen through it—hence the term ‘black ice...

“I’ve never intentionally gone out and purchased a set of snow tires,” he said. “Like most people, I buy all-season tires and I use them all year round. But, when I purchased my current vehicle, it turned out I also purchased a set of snow tires. That’s what was on it.” The Hankook Ice Bears that came with his car were an eye-opening experience or, at least, they were the first time it snowed. As he explained, it was a bit of a surprise. “Frankly, my car isn’t the off-road, heavy snow variety,” he said. “Rather than a high-ground clearance, like a Chevy Blazer or something, it hugs the road. It’s a sports car. When I say it hugs the road, I mean, it hugs the road. I feel disappointed when I drive somewhere and there aren’t any curves in the road. It’s as though I’ve been cheated.” People who look at his car, assume that’s the case. It has a wide stance and a very low profile.  Recently, someone was admiring the car but commented, almost sympathetically, “It’s got...