Performance Unlimited Blog

McHenry winters can be tough on your car's transmission . What can you do to spare from really hard work? You’re trying to drive out of the snow but your tires are having trouble getting a grip on the pavement below. This is the kind of thing you’ve come to expect with a McHenry winter . But it doesn’t help your vehicle’s transmission any. Sitting in one place while the tires spin is hard on your transmission. Worse yet, going from an icy surface to clean pavement can be even worse. And we see plenty of that around here in McHenry when winter rolls into town. Think about it – there’s a patch of ice and then there’s exposed asphalt. If the tires are fighting to grab hold while you’re on that patch of ice, and then you finally hit the pavement, it can have a jarring effect on the car. While you may feel the transition from ice to pavement, your car’s transmission definitely feels it. From your transmission’s perspective, it’s like getting hit with something solid. Have you ever ru...

Those 4X4s are great for offroad and getting you started in the snow of a Wonder Lake winter. But they don't make much of a difference when you want to stop. The potential for adventure is resting in your Wonder Lake driveway waiting for your next offroad excursion. Of course, you drive that 4-wheeler on the roads and highways, too, right? And why wouldn’t you, especially when winter rolls through town. It doesn’t snow everyday of winter here in Wonder Lake. But it does snow often enough that your 4-wheel drive comes in handy (though we've had some warmer days lately, that doesn't mean we won't see anymore snow this winter). If you’ve got tires that will pull you through mud and over random trails, it’s certain those tires will do an admirable job pulling you through the snow. Then again, maybe you’ve got a 4X4 that isn’t built for that kind of adventure. You’ve got some reasonable meats on the four corners but nothing like those folks who see offroad trails as a ch...

Brushing up against your dirty car during this one reason to take your car to the carwash this McCullom Lake winter. But there are other reasons that a carwash will help to protect your vehicle. It’s winter here in McCullom Lake as you rush out to the car determined not to be late for that important date. You don’t notice until you get to your destination but, as you rushed to the car, you brushed up against it. Now, as you get out of the car, you notice that there is a broad patch of dirt on your overcoat and skirt. Over the course of a McCullom Lake winter, cars seem to take on a course coat of a semi-transparent grey. It’s actually a mix of residue from dried rain and snow, with a mix of dirt kicked up from the pavement, and roadsalt with a mix of other chemicals. If you brush against that chemically charged coat of dirt, you comes off easily on whatever makes contact. For the lady rushing to her car above, this is what she discovers on her clothes – an unsightly mess.  That’s...

What special gift can you get for that special someone as Valentine's Day rolls into  Richmond ? How 'bout a car cleaning and some auto maintenance? At least make sure the car is clean and reliable before you pick up your date. The groundhog  here in this neck of the woods gave us good news last week, and the weather is cooperating with that prediction, meaning that winter will be short-lived here in Richmond. But, whatever the groundhog indicated, and whatever the weather is throwing at us, it’s time to turn our thoughts to another holiday – Valentine’s Day. As Valentine’s Day comes to Richmond, florists and candy stores will face a heavy stream of customers, as well they should. Flowers and candy are traditional Valentine’s Day gifts. You might say they’re expected. They represent a sure thing as gifts your Valentine will enjoy. But that doesn’t mean they are the only gifts you need. Taking your Valentine out for dinner is always a great way to express those three little wo...