Performance Unlimited Blog

We're experiencing a warmer week but that's not to say that this Richmond winter is over. It really does pay to take a minute warming the engine on cold mornings. Liz in Richmond runs outside in the morning and starts the car then runs back into the house to let the car warm up. Donna has a remote start; she doesn’t even have to run out to the car. Both of them enjoy climbing into a nice warm car on a crisp Richmond morning. Who doesn’t? But if they think they’re doing that for the car, they’re taking it a bit too far. By the time its warm inside the cabin of the car, the benefits to the engine have long been reached. In other words, it’s not a bad idea to warm the car up before you drive, but it doesn’t require an extended warm-up period to achieve this goal.  That’s not to say it isn’t a good idea; it is. Warming up the car for about a minute, particularly in the winter, is a great idea. Winter, summer, spring or fall: when the vehicle sits for a while, the oil drains down in...

No one from Richmond wants to breakdown when they leave home. But, if you do, it's a wonderful feeling to have what you need at hand - a proper winter car kit. There are a couple of things we can say about this Richmond winter without fear of contradiction; it’s going to be cold and we’re liable to get some snow. What does this mean to you as someone who drives the roads to and from Richmond? As we all know, it means that you need to take some precautions to ensure that you’re ready for the harsh conditions that are possible these parts in winter. Precautions start with winterizing and maintaining your vehicle so that you can count on it mechanically. Ensuring that your car, truck or SUV is ready for the season is 90% of the battle. But there’s more to it than that. Even though you’ve done everything you can to safeguard your vehicle from the inclement weather that is likely around here in the winter, things can still go wrong. You could have a flat tire.  Your car, truck or SUV ma...

Don't let mechanical gremlins spoil your McHenry Valentine's Day. Some due maintenance can help ensure you have a wonderful and romantic time. As the hour approaches, in your McHenry home, you put on that carefully chosen outfit, put the finishing touches on your hair and preen yourself with eager anticipation of a wonderful Valentine celebration ahead. You anxiously watch the clock ready to head out to the car and head off to pick up your Valentine (even if you’re picking up your spouse from work). When the moment arrives, you rush out to the car knowing that a glorious and romantic night awaits you. But what if your car won’t start? What if you find yourself stuck in your McHenry driveway or garage as the minutes of Valentine’s Day tick away without you? Or maybe the car starts fine. A short drive later, you pull up and you get out to hold the door for your Valentine, who looks fantastic. You’re off to a great start but then your brakes start scraping loudly, or the muffler s...

A trip to the 117th edition of the Chicago Auto Show is a great way to spend the day and see the latest cars, trucks and SUVs from top manufacturers, even if you're not currently in the market. Did you know that 1901 was the first year for the Chicago Auto Show (this year’s is the 117th edition of the Chicago Auto Show - Saturday Feb. 8 through Monday Feb. 17)? You might have found Fiats at the show in 1901 with models of 8, 10 and 12 HP (horsepower). Mercedes and Lohner-Porsche were among the manufacturers producing cars that year. You might see an Ajax Motor Vehicle, a Buffalo, Covert or New Era. Peugeot and Pierce-Arrow were among the vehicles with models to introduce that year. So were Stevens-Duryea, Stoewer and the Reading Steamer. About the only American manufacturer at the show then that might sound familiar today, though they stopped production in 2004, was Oldsmobile.  There were no Fords, Chryslers or General Motors products then. Things have certainly changed. This year...