Performance Unlimited Blog

The car won’t start and there are multiple explanations for why it has left you stranded in the parking lot of this McHenry shopping center. The battery could be bad. The alternator could have run its course. The serpentine belt that drives the pulley on the alternator could have broken. These are all plausible explanations. You could even have some other deeper electrical problem, though that’s less common. But, the problem could be simpler than all this. It’s possible that your battery terminals are dirty.  The connection between the cables that run from the battery to the charging/starting system on your car, truck or SUV is crucial. Just think about it; if you disconnect a battery cable the car definitely will-not start. But, what if the terminal is connected but corrosion has won the battle and the electrical current can’t get through? Sometimes, you’ll see a battery terminal covered with a white powder. This is a definite sign that corrosion is winning at the expense ...

The roads in Johnsburg aren’t appreciably worse than roads anywhere else. But, that’s not to say there aren’t any potholes in Johnsburg. So, the question is, “Can a pothole throw your car, truck or SUV out of alignment?” The answer is, most assuredly, yes. Of course, it generally depends on how severe the pothole is. Inevitably, whether driving in Johnsburg or any other road at or above this hemisphere, where winter plays havoc on the roads, we’re going to hit potholes. So far, this winter isn’t too bad. Still, the potholes are out there. You can’t miss them all. And, that’s generally the problem; little-by-little, one pothole after another will throw your alignment out of whack. Still, a single pothole, if the pothole is bad enough – deep enough and broad enough – can knock your car, truck or SUV’s alignment askew. Worse than that, a really bad pothole can do more than just mess with your car, truck or SUV’s alignment; it can also damage parts of your steering and suspension. ...

There’s not much you can do, living here in McHenry to put the brakes on winter driving: that you can somehow bring an early end to winter or the driving conditions it causes here in the McHenry area. As long as you’re stuck driving in winter conditions, the question is whether your brakes are up to the task. Winter isn’t convenient for McHenry area drivers. It tests your driving ability to the max. But, there are things you can do to make it easier to pass the test and safely drive until winter is past. Making sure you have good brakes is part of that. Making sure your car will start and run in the winter is important. Making sure your steering and suspension are in good condition is important. Having good tires on your car is critical this time of year. But, none of this is more important than having good brakes. Let’s suppose you have good snow tires on your car. That will definitely help when you’re heading westbound on Route 120 through downtown McHenry and someone pulls out...

Do you have roadside assistance? You might have it and not even realize it; it sometimes comes with your auto insurance (check your policy). Roadside assistance is a good thing to have, especially in McHenry during the winter. Lacking roadside assistance, when the winter winds of McHenry are howling, and often carrying snow, is not a good idea. With roadside assistance, you’re only a phone call away from someone coming to help. In McHenry, there’s a good chance that someone from Rex Towing may pull up in a tow truck behind you and save your bacon when you’re in a pickle (does that constitute a mixed metaphor or separate food groups?). There are good reasons to call for roadside assistance. In years gone by, most folks changed their own flat tires. In the movie ‘A Christmas Story,’ the father is described as looking at a flat tire as though he’s in the pits at the Indy 500. Today, far more drivers are inclined to call for help. Consider a recent commercial where a teenager is speak...

The 4-wheel drive option on your truck, Jeep or SUV offers assistance driving on Wonder Lake’s winter roads and the potential for fun if you’re inclined to take your driving off-road. But, do you know your Ps and Qs when it comes to 4-wheel driving? What’s to know, right? You engage the 4-wheel drive and give your truck, Jeep or SUV the gas. Whoa!!! Actually, there could be a little more to it. For instance, what kind of drive does your car, truck, Jeep or SUV have? A similar option, which is very common in newer cars and SUVs, is AWD. That stands for All-wheel drive. With AWD, there isn’t much to say. The driver isn’t required to do anything, other than drive. Just like any other car, you start the engine of your car, Jeep or SUV and hit the road. But, 4-wheel drive is a different story. With 4-wheel drive, you may want to put it in Four-High (4H) or Four-Low (4L), depending on the situation. 4H is what you’ll want to use when you’ll drive at normal speeds. Use it for drivin...