Performance Unlimited Blog

In March, the Center for Disease Control – CDC – said that the Coronavirus can live on solid surfaces for four days. It’s now indicated that they’re not so sure about that. What should you do when the experts aren’t quite sure?  To be safe, it probably wouldn’t hurt to clean and disinfect surfaces you and your family frequently come into contact with. This includes inside your home, as well as the doorknobs on entranceway doors. But what about your car, truck or SUV? You and your loved ones come into contact with the surfaces inside your car, truck or SUV, as well as the door handles on the outside. You also come into contact with the gas-filler door and cap, the trunk lid and, if you’re checking your car’s engine oil as often as you should, you’re also coming into contact with the hood latch, the dipstick and the oil-filler cap.  The CDC gives some specific tips on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that would apply when cleaning and disinfecting your car, truck or SUV, inclu...

 “Yeah, I know. I have to change the oil in my car regularly to keep the engine in tip-top shape.” “That’s true. But I’m talking about the ‘other’ lubricant.” “The ‘other’ lubricant?” “That’s right – the automatic transmission fluid.” “How often do I need to change that?” “Well, fortunately, it’s not as often as you need to change the engine oil. Depending on your vehicle, between 30,000 and 60,000 miles.” “And it’s important because …” “It’s important because you’ve never heard anyone happily mention, ‘I need to have my transmission repaired’ or ‘replaced.’” “That’s the truth – expensive and a pain in the neck.” Changing the transmission fluid can keep your car’s transmission running smoothly and out of the repair shop. Trans fluid is a lubricant. It helps those many parts interact without excess wear or damage. It reduces the heat from that friction. It has chemicals that prevent corrosion. Just like engine oil, automatic transmission fluid breaks down over time. The heat breaks ...

How long do you plan to keep your car? Some people keep a car for a couple years. Some people get five or 10 years out of their vehicle. Others stick with their car to the bitter end – until it’s ready for a tow to the scrapyard. If you’re not in that last category, there are some ways to keep your car’s value up. Even if you’re in that final category – someone who drives a car until it crumbles around them – maintenance will postpone the ‘bitter end’ a little longer. But most of us don’t keep a car that long.  According to RL Polk, on average, cars that are still on the road are 11.4 years old. On average, a driver keeps a car for 71.4 months, or approximately six years. If they take care of their vehicle during that time, they’ll get a better trade in or a higher price if they sell the car outright. Even if someone only keeps a car for a couple years, maintaining the vehicle will pay dividends when they sell or trade. What can you do, in terms of maintenance, to get the best valu...

Even in the Age of COVID, teenagers are learning to drive. At McHenry Community High School, 15-year olds are entering the ‘Permit Phase’ of their driver’s education. By the time they hit 16 and 17, they’re entering the ‘Initial Licensing Phase.’ From 18 to 20, they should be ready for the ‘Full Licensing Phase.’ If you are a parent of one of these newbies to the roads, this can prove a nerve-wracking experience. Someone you care very deeply about is joining drivers on the roads. Some of those drivers are good and courteous. Others, as you surely know, are … well, less so. And then there’s the question of your child’s aptitude for driving. Will they take to driving like a fish to water? Or will they experience a longer learning curve? Some students are chomping at the bit to get behind the wheel. Others are less enthusiastic. You may even have to give your child a helpful nudge to get them going. They may have a case of the jitters. Can you help them get over the jitters about driving?...