Performance Unlimited Blog

Kevin Post, an auto repair technician  with Ringwood based Performance  Unlimited, cleans a part in their new SmartWasher parts cleaning  system. For as long as auto repair technicians can remember they’ve had to hold automotive parts under a stream of somewhat toxic parts cleaner. That’s all different now; today, there’s a parts cleaner and fluid that is safe for auto repair technicians and the environment. The product is called SmartWasher and is know in the industry as a “bioremediating parts washer.” The company describes “bioremediating” as a natural process that “eliminate(s) liquid hazardous waste streams.” The SmartWasher actually uses a powerful water-based degreaser. It’s a solution they call “OzzyJuice®.” “OzzieJuice®” is a degreasing solution that is pH neutral, is not caustic and doesn’t cause skin irritations. It doesn’t even have a flash point where the old solvents were flammable at some point. “The system turns harmful contaminants int...

It’s one thing to maintain one car, SUV or van; try maintaining a fleet of vehicles. Of course, if you are responsible for maintaining a fleet of vehicles for your business or the company you work for, you know all about that. Maybe you have a staff to maintain the fleet. They do all the oil changes, tune ups and, to some degree, they handle repairs. The cost of a staff to maintain a fleet of vehicles is nothing to sneeze about. You start with hourly wages then add payroll taxes, insurance and other costs. If someone gets hurt, that’s you’re problem, too. Thankfully, there is an alternative. Even if you can’t afford your own fleet maintenance staff, this alternative is very attractive. Some auto repair shops are setup to handle fleets of cars, SUVs and vans on behalf of companies. They understand the importance of keeping the vehicles running – when a fleet car is out of commission it represents a cost without return. When a fleet car is out of commission, they seek to get it back ...

Here in the McHenry area, we’re pretty darn fortunate. The shelves are full at the grocery stores, our neighborhoods are reasonably safe and people are generally friendly. One reason we enjoy such blessings is that there are Americans who go above and beyond to ensure our safety. These are people in the military who put their lives on the line in war-torn areas of the world. Some paid the ultimate price. All paid some and some more than others. Among our soldiers, sailors, fliers and marines who went off to war on our behalf, some came home without arms or legs. Our enemies hid IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) in the ground. These have taken a heavy toll on American GIs. In response, NAPA and Performance Unlimited have partnered with the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund to support wounded soldiers and their families. Through Aug. 31, 2015, if you purchase a NAPA AUTO PARTS battery, alternator or starter at Performance Unlimited, or other participating auto parts store, you’ll re...

McHenry Fiesta Days runs from Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 19, at Petersen Park (4300 Petersen Park Road) in McHenry. That’s more than a week’s worth of bands, food, beer, amusement rides, live music and even hot-air balloon rides. It includes the McHenry River Run 10K and 5K races. It also includes a Bags Tournament ... ( read more ).

When you bring your vehicle to an auto repair shop, you want to know that the auto repair technicians are qualified. Have they had sufficient training – the latest training? Do they have experience? Years ago, there was a television commercial where a dopey looking guy in dirty coveralls says something to the effect of “Gee boss, I never did fix an automatic transmission before.” When you bring your vehicle to an auto repair shop, you want to know that the auto repair technician isn’t even a distant cousin of the fellow making the statement in the previous paragraph. More than that, however, you want to know that the auto repair shop isn’t of the fly-by-night variety. A quality auto repair shop will have systems in place to ensure that your vehicle is properly repaired and/or maintained. In the process, they’ll make sure that you are treated with courtesy and compassion. When your vehicle requires repairs and/or maintenance, it’s usually an inconvenience. Sometimes, it’s also...