Performance Unlimited Blog

The ‘unofficial’ end of summer is almost upon us. The astrological start of summer was June 20. And, astrologically, summer ends September 21. But most of us think of summer as running from Memorial Day (May 25) to Labor Day (September 7). If we abide by what ‘most people think,’ summer ends next Monday. We generally welcome summer, and bid it adieu, with ‘ceremonial’ barbeques. That’s likely the case this year, too, as throwing some dogs and burgers on the barbie doesn’t really challenge social distancing. But, other than barbequing, there is very little about this summer this customary. Thanks to COVID-19, this has been an entirely unique summer and not of the kind we would like to repeat. Summer is usually a time when we get out of the house. We take trips. We picnic. We go to events where, packed into crowds, we enjoy sports, music and other forms of entertainment. But this summer, we’ve spent a good portion of our time ‘sheltering in place’ and avoiding crowds. Getting out and doi...

You may not have noticed that the tire was going flat. The first inclination you have is that there is a thumping noise, corresponding with a jerking of the steering wheel, as you drive. You don’t want to keep driving on that flat tire.  If there’s any chance of saving the tire, continuing to drive on the flat tire, while not a safe idea in terms of maintaining control of the vehicle, will surely destroy the tire. In fact, if you drive on a flat tire far enough, you’ll lose the tire and begin to damage the rim. Replacing a tire that was, otherwise, in good condition is bad enough. Replacing one of your wheels gives the cost of the event an unpleasant boost. There are also occasions when tires go flat suddenly. This is called a blowout. Depending on your speed at the time of a blowout, there is a serious question of whether you’ll be able to maintain control of the vehicle. This is a particular concern if the blow out is to one of the front tires where you steer the vehicle.  I...

 McHenry drivers need to be aware all the same About this time of year, the space on this blog is usually dedicated to reminding McHenry drivers that schools are opening – to watch out for children running to and from busses in the roads, or walking to and from school. But, with COVID-19, 2020 isn’t a customary year. Yes, children are headed back to school but much of their class time will involve ‘virtual’ attendance. In the two McHenry School Districts (McHenry Elementary School District 15 and McHenry Community High School District 156) there are two approaches currently planned for in terms of opening the schools.* For the younger students enrolled in District 15 schools, the 2020-21 school year kicks off on a virtual basis: beginning “remotely on Monday, August 24th and continu(ing) remotely through the first trimester of school, Friday, November 6th.”** The McHenry high schools will open with what is called a “Remote and Blended Remote Learning Day Plan.” A “Blended Remote Le...

Before COVID, you would get out on the highway, away from McHenry, and open up the throttle of that car, truck or SUV you drive. But, since the pandemic, you just don’t seem to get out as much. When you do leave the house, it’s generally a short trip – to the grocery store or maybe for a cup of coffee at The Hidden Pearl. Highway drives seem to belong to a by-gone era. This is a different kind of driving for your car, truck or SUV. Confined primarily to the McHenry area, there are times when you don’t even seem to crank the speedometer above 40 mph anymore. This effects your vehicle. It can tell that you don’t have the same travel patterns as before the pandemic. With those shorter rides, otherwise known as ‘city driving,’ you stop and go more often. You’re putting more wear and tear on the brakes and the transmission. And those city roads are usually not in as good of shape as highway routes outside of McHenry. That’s not to say anything bad about how the city maintains its roads. It’...

Your car started making a funny noise. You tell yourself, “It can wait.” The brakes are squeaking. “As soon as the lockdown is over.” Smoke from that bad muffler seems to come up into the cabin from under the car. “It’s not so bad.” The oil change is how many miles overdue? “It’s not that important.” You can always find excuses for not bringing the car, truck or SUV in for repairs or maintenance. But that work should probably be done now, not later. If the excuses for not doing the work now include not wanting to go out to an auto repair shop with COVID-19 in its resurgence stage, there is a solution. Most quality auto repair shops are offering sanitary pick-up and drop-off service. No, they don’t pick you up; they pick up your car, truck or SUV. They drive it to the shop and perform whatever service is required. Then they drive it back to you, repaired, maintained and sanitary. Providing the key when they pick-up the vehicle, and receiving the key when they drop-off the vehicle: that’...