Performance Unlimited Blog

Check your windshield washer solvent and defrosters, too Screech! Screech! Screech! The sound of your wipers is driving you nuts. But, if the snow, freezing rain and sleet keep falling, madness will really set in if your wipers don’t do a reasonable job of clearing all that yuk off the windshield. Another McHenry winter is coming and the ability to clean your windshield is a blessing of the season. Windshield wipers are petroleum products. They have a rubber blade that is intended to sweep snow, rain and sleet off of the windshield. But, when McHenry turns cold and blustery, will they continue to do the job, and do it well? Every time the wipers sweep the windshield, the friction reduces the face of the rubber blade. Over time, that sharp edge of rubber is dulled. While this isn’t necessarily a big deal in the warmer months where water is about the only challenge wipers may face, in the winter, that changes. In the winter, wipers have to deal with ice, slush, sleet and freezing rain. O...

It’s September in Richmond. The leaves haven’t even turned yet. The official start of Autumn is still a week away. You really don’t have to worry about the fluid running through your car, truck or SUV’s radiator freezing. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a thought or two. You don’t want to wait until it’s freezing outside to have your coolant checked to ensure that a cold Richmond morning won’t prove too much for it. Check it now. Check it before the bitter cold of winter sets in. You don’t necessarily want to make a special trip to have your coolant checked. But if you’re bringing the car, truck or SUV in for an oil change, they can check the antifreeze, too. Not to get confused – coolant and antifreeze refers to the same liquid. It’s a dual-purpose fluid that plays an essential role in the operation of your vehicle’s engine. On the one hand, it’s a coolant. As the fluid flows through the engine, it collects heat generated by the friction of moving parts inside. The fluid t...

It’s September. McHenry schools are open but it’s still summer. We have plenty of time before winter sets in and you need to have your car, truck or SUV ready for the season of cold, ice and snow, right? Yes, we still have the apple-picking season, Halloween and Thanksgiving as road markers to countdown to another McHenry winter. Officially, it’s more than three months away – a quarter of the year. But, of course, winter may make an early appearance as far as weather conditions. In fact, the winter of 2022-23 could make a distinctly unpleasant early arrival, well before the official start of winter Dec. 21. We can get snow in October. And if there’s snow, there’s cold, at least enough cold to turn raindrops to snowflakes. This isn’t to say that you need to rush right out and have your vehicle winterized. But you might want to start thinking about it. When will you have the work done to prepare your car, truck or SUV for the blustery season ahead? Winter is unforgiving. The cold doesn’t...

McHenry residents like to BBQ on Labor Day but it’s also a great time to get in the car and go somewhere. Unfortunately, with the price of gasoline these days, many families may not want to go as far. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t get out and go somewhere. There are plenty of places near McHenry where you can take a daytrip for the holiday. Here are some ideas: Chicago Botanic Garden. If you go to the Garden Sunday, Sept. 4, you’ll be just in time for the Illinois Mycological Association Display & Sale. Apparently, mycological refers to mushrooms. Mississippi Palisades State Park. You can sure stretch out here with 2,500 acres of natures splendor. Bring the tent and make it a campout weekend. Illinois Beach State Park. This park offers 4,160 acres where you can choose to swim, hike, fish, boat, picnic or even camp. Starved Rock State Park. At this park in Oglesby, you’ll find canyons, waterfalls and rock formations to enhance a truly spectacular natural panorama. Galena. A trip ...