To properly maintain your vehicle, it helps to arm yourself with some basic knowledge about your car’s proper operation and maintenance so that you’ll recognize a potential problem. You’ll also want to employ your senses to gather clues about the problem so you can pass them on to your mechanic.

Seeing a puddle under the engine is a pretty good indicator that something is leaking. Feeling a shimmy in the steering wheel suggests a problem with the steering and/or suspension. A knocking sound when you accelerate will help to identify a possible problem with your engine. Even your sense of smell can help, particularly if you have an idea what different odors mean.

The Federal Trade Commission, in an online article titled, “Taking the Scare Out of Auto Repair,” offers the following information under the heading, “Smells Like Trouble:”

As with any potential problem you see, hear, feel or smell, these are clues that you may want to bring your vehicle in to a trusted auto-repair shop. Keep in mind, many problems start with a little drip, tap, vibration or odor and then develop into something more – something that could take a big bite out of your wallet, leave you stranded on the side of the road somewhere or, even worse, put you and your family in harm’s way.

Has your car recently developed an unusual odor or have another symptom that has you concerned?  Bringing your car in to your trusted auto repair technician will help you get to the bottom of the problem. In the McHenry County area, call Performance Unlimited at (815) 728-0343.

If the hyperlinks in the text above are not working in your version of this document, you can cut and past the following URLs:

No one would go to a doctor they didn’t trust when their health was on the line, just as they wouldn’t knowingly take their financial portfolio to a financial advisor with a felony background for embezzlement.  The same logic holds true when bringing their car to an auto-repair shop.

A less than reputable auto-repair shop can leave you with costly and unnecessary auto-repair expenses. Trusting the wrong sort with your car can also leave you stranded on the side of the road somewhere when an improperly installed or defective part breaks down.

At Performance Unlimited, our recommendation is that you shop around. Ask others you know where they go for service and how they’ve been treated. Did their repair shop fix the problem and at the promised price? Once you’ve identified a shop with a good reputation, ask if they have proper certification, such as an Automotive Service Excellence seal. Are their certifications current?

Finally, ask them if they’re familiar working with your type of vehicle. Some shops only work on European or Japanese automobiles. If that’s the case, and that’s your type of vehicle, you may have a fit. But, keep in mind, specialization only has value where it’s matched by a positive reputation.

At Performance Unlimited, we’ve made a commitment to keep our auto-repair technicians up to date on training and knowledge of the latest vehicles on the road. They regularly attend classes on current changes in automotive technology, repair and diagnosis. This is a philosophy you’ll want to see in your auto-repair shop, too.

We think you’ll find these recommendations sound. However, if you’d appreciate another and impartial voice of reason you can check out what the Federal Trade Commission has to say about the matter. The FTC has published an online page titled “Taking the Scare Out of Auto Repair.” This is an excellent source of information about choosing an auto-repair shop and technician. It also provides excellent information about “unlocking the mystery” behind auto repair charges, preventative maintenance, “Protecting Your Auto Repair Investment” and more.

Reading this document will let you know if you’re on the right track in terms of auto repair and maintenance or, if need be, will help you to get on the right track. We’re confident you’ll find that Performance Unlimited matches up well with the FTC’s recommendations. However, wherever you take your car, SUV or truck, we wish you a safe and happy driving experience.

If the hyperlinks in the text above are not working in your version of this document, you can cut and past the following URLs (in the order that they appear above):

To contact Performance Unlimited by phone, call (815) 728-0343.

Proper maintenance of your vehicle is important. It will help to increase the life of your car while decreasing the likelihood that you’ll find yourself sitting on the side of the road when something went wrong. There was a time when a periodic injector flush was part of that maintenance process. Now days, not so much.

In fact, frequent injector flushes as part of regularly scheduled maintenance are probably not a good idea. Furthermore, they’re costly. As long as they’re operating correctly there is no need to flush them.

If you start experiencing mechanical problems, it’s possible the fuel injectors could be the culprit but don’t jump to that conclusion. This is where a qualified mechanic is a great asset. Your mechanic will track down the problem. And, if it turns out you have a problem with your injectors, your mechanic will uncover the evidence and present you with the best possible solution.

On occasion, a problem with fuel injectors can be remedied with cleaning. In some cases, however, replacement is required. A qualified mechanic should be able to determine which is the case for your vehicle.

Some cars come with port fuel injectors where an injector adds fuel to each cylinder. Others have TBI, or throttle body injectors. In the latter case, one or two injectors are responsible for mixing fuel with air for all the cylinders. Even if your vehicle has port fuel injectors, a problem may be isolated to one injector.

Another word of caution: check with your mechanic before using a fuel injector cleaning fluid you might purchase at an auto parts store or department store. Many of these will do a fine job of cleaning the varnish and sediment out of your fuel tank and fuel lines. Then, the cleaner will deposit the mix in your injectors. At that point, you may need your mechanic to remove the injectors and perform a proper cleaning.

For more information about fuel injectors and maintaining your vehicle, check with Performance Unlimited, 5415 Austin Court, Ringwood.

It’s shocking to imagine a drive in your car without a suspension system. Every bump and crack in the road would transfer from the chassis and up the passenger’s spines. But, more than a matter of comfort, properly functioning shock absorbers save wear and tear on your vehicle while making the driving experience safer.

Have you ever hit a really bad pothole and felt the steering wheel jerk in your hands? Imagine trying to hang onto that wheel, and control the car, if there was no suspension to absorb the shock. On the other hand, as shock absorbers wear, they generally cause the opposite problem. The suspension becomes increasingly sloppy and the steering is affected in the process.

Still, comfort is the number one reason people change their shocks or struts, depending on which your vehicle is equipped with. Shocks and struts don’t need changing based on a maintenance schedule. Rather, their life expectancy is related to the kind of driving you do.

“With most cars, the shocks and struts will last quite a while,” said Denny Norton, owner of Ringwood based Performance Unlimited at 5415 Austin Court. “The best bet is to have them checked out from time to time. Of course, if you feel the suspension getting a bit squishy, you may want to have them looked at. Otherwise, you can ask your mechanic to take a look when you have your oil changed.”

Badly worn shocks also affect the way your tires wear and can cause additional wear to your steering and other suspension parts. In other words, if the shocks are no longer doing their job the way they used to, it’s time to change them before you find yourself changing other expensive steering and suspension parts, as well.

One quick test you can give the car yourself is to press and hold a corner of the car down. When you release it, the car will jump up again and bounce a couple of times. If the bouncing continues more than that there’s a good chance you’re in need of new shocks or struts.

For more information about Performance Unlimited, visit www.4performanceunliimited.comor call 815-728-0343.

“It doesn’t look that bad, it wasn’t the guy’s fault but it’s $3,600,” said Tony Licocci, with McHenry MAACO Collision Repair & Auto Painting, as he looked over a vehicle that recently came into his shop for season repairs.

In the auto body industry, seasonal repairs represent those that are caused by weather conditions. In this case, the $3,600 bill is the result of icy conditions the car owner was driving through while trying to get home.

“It just happens that fast,” Licocci said.

Winter, particularly in the Northern regions, presents several potential obstacles to safe driving. First among these are icy roads. Licocci said the best thing to do is to slowdown. He added that 4-wheel drive doesn’t help a bit on ice.

“And you have to watch out for the guy in front of you who is fishtailing,” Licocci said. “Next thing you know, he’s going to wipe out. If you’re on ice and can’t stop, you’re going to hit him.

Licocci said that, when the backend of your vehicle slides out you need to counter steer. This doesn’t happen as often today as it once did as so many cars have front-wheel drive today. However, when it does happen it often happens when braking.

Another difference between driving today and years ago is that newer cars usually come equipped with anti-lock brakes today. Anti-lock brakes pulse automatically when you hit the brakes hard. With older cars, drivers needed to pump the brakes when the car began sliding on ice. That’s not helpful with newer cars that have anti-lock brakes.

Another winter driving hazard is caused by snowy roads. Licocci said drivers should try to stay out of deep drifts where they can become stuck or, worse yet, lose control.

“Try not to change lanes too often,” he said. “Follow in the ruts other cars have created.”

If someone does become stuck, he recommends trying to rock the car free with the accelerator or by shifting from drive to reverse. A word of caution here is that too much rocking can have an adverse affect on the transmission. Denny Norton, with Performance Unlimited, can attest to that fact based on the number of transmissions he’s replaced over the years.

Another and potentially more dangerous winter driving condition is called black ice – ice that is not visible on the road but can still throw your vehicle out of control.

“The thing with black ice is, usually, you don’t know it’s there until you’re on it,” Licocci said. “That’s the worst kind (of winter driving condition) because it surprises you.”

When you find yourself on black ice, don’t panic. Slow down, but don’t jam on the brakes. Licocci even suggested that you might want to stop for a cup of coffee somewhere until you can get behind a salt truck.

Whatever the particular winter driving hazard, staying calm and aware always goes well with slowing down and putting a little extra space between your vehicle and other cars. Of course, in the worst conditions, you might want to ask yourself just how important the trip is to begin with. Staying home is one of the surest ways to avoid ‘seasonal repairs.”

Keeping your windshield clear is vital in the winter. It’s bad enough that your tires may lose a firm grip on the road; your ability to anticipate such occasions, and react appropriately, is largely dependent on your ability to see what is going on around you. However, it takes a team effort to keep that windshield clear.

In this case, the team players are your windshield wipers, your defrosters, windshield solvent, a brush and a scrapper. The brush and the scrapper are often the first into the action. You come out of the house and find the car covered in snow and/or the windshield coated with frost or ice. Maybe you’re in a hurry. Don’t let your schedule dictate the level of safety you apply to your driving experience. Clean off the snow and scrape the window.

It’s a very good idea to clear loose snow off the hood, as well, since, once you start driving, the snow on the hood will blow up into the windshield.

Good wipers are essential. Are yours in good repair? Do they leave streaks as they wipe the windshield? If the answer to these questions is no, it’s time for a replacement. Skimping on wiper blades is not the best idea considering the difference in cost and the potential difference in safety offered by different models. Some wiper blades even come with a covering to keep the snow from binding up between the blades and their holders.

In any case, remember to gently knock the ice off your wiper blades when your brushing or scraping your windows before driving.

Washer solvent is also essential. Maybe you can get by putting water in the reservoir in the summer but that will turn to a block of ice in the winter. A good dose of windshield washer solvent works wonders when salty road spray begins to accumulate on the windshield.

And what about the defrosters? If you can’t blow heat up into the windshield there’s no way to melt the ice that builds up as you drive on certain days. Warming up the car a little before you go will help generate the heat necessary to help clear ice that builds on the windshield as you drive. If your defrosters don’t work, get into your trusted auto repair shop and have them do something about it.

Don’t forget the other windows, either. Safe driving requires the ability to see in all directions. Plus, you can even receive a ticket for failing to adequately clear your windows before driving.

Oh, and there is one more member of the team – you. You’re the one with the wisdom to use all the tools at your disposal to stay safe on the highways.

“12:00 … 12:00 … 12:00.” If you were around in the days of VCRs, you probably remember the repetitive flashing of that number. Back when VCRs were state of the art, most of the video machines included a clock with a digital display on the front. For those who were not entirely technically savvy, programming the clock was a nuisance they often skipped.

As a result, instead of the time changing every sixty seconds, “12:00” flashed endlessly on the front of the machine. People got used to it. They learned to ignore it, mostly.

Today, many drivers have learned to ignore another indicator light. This one, instead of telling the time, and located in their vehicle rather than in the house, is the “Check Engine” light that one day appeared in their dashboard. As with the flashing “12:00” they got used to it until, virtually, they just didn’t see it anymore.

“Unfortunately, though drivers can sometimes get away without doing anything about the ‘Check Engine’ light for a while, other times, they can’t,” said Denny Norton, the owner of Performance Unlimited, one of the area’s leading auto repair shops.

Engines are comprised of hundreds of parts choreographed to operate in unison. That partnership creates energy that is transferred through the transmission to the wheels providing propulsion. Just as the human body can sometimes operate for years with a increasing heart disease or problems with other internal organs, an engine can sometimes do the same. And, sometimes it can’t.

The “Check Engine” light comes on when the On-Board Diagnostic System (OBD) recognizes a problem with the engine and power-train control system. The problem can be trivial or major; the light doesn’t shine any brighter either way though, in some cases, it may flash in a particular sequence to indicate a particular problem.

The sequence of a flashing “Check Engine” light doesn’t mean much to someone who doesn’t know what the sequence indicates. However, checking with a trusted auto repair technician will usually bring a quick answer.

There are two primary problems with ignoring the “Check Engine” light. One is that, whatever the problem, even if not a major problem initially, it can develop into something more significant and more costly.

“The other problem is that, once the light is on, it’s on,” Norton said. “If you have another problem one day, the light’s already on and you have no warning of another problem.”

Another issue with a “Check Engine” light is that, when it’s on, a car cannot pass an emissions test. If you bring the car in to a testing center with the light on, the car will automatically fail the test and you’ll have to bring it somewhere to have the issue addressed. But, passing an emissions test is the least imperative reason to have things checked out when the light comes on.

“A qualified auto repair technician will quickly get to the bottom of the problem,” Norton said. “If it’s something major, they may save you a lot of money and hassle in the long run. And, if it’s something minor, they can fix that, too, while giving you peace of mind.”

In the darkness of the late night drive, reflective mile markers flashed by with a monotonous rhythm.  Bob pushed the accelerator down just a touch hoping to eke out a bit more speed and, thereby, shorten the duration of his trip. But the slippery roads rebelled and he felt a looseness in the steering as Mother Nature challenged for control of the car anywhere past 45 mph.

He imagined his family at home, seated by the tree as it blazed in a festive mix of seasonal colors, the fireplace casting dancing shadows about the room as they sipped cocoa while watching White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life or, even, A Christmas Carol. Oh, but he wished he was there with them now – at least before the children headed to bed. But, the snow continued to fall, as did the temperature outside, creating a nasty mix of hazardous driving conditions that would warm the heart of no one but Ebenezer Scrooge on a Christmas Eve night like this.

Bob thought about that for a moment, as he reduced his speed enough to regain control from the conditions on the road. “Scrooge,” he thought, “yes, this weather is Scrooge-like in its determination to spoil the spirit of the holiday.”

Bob glanced at the trip meter; another 100 miles or so to go. Outside the car, he could see the wind swirling the snow a breath above the surface of the icy pavement.  Bob sighed deeply. “There’s nothing to be done but continue on.”

He did some calculations in his mind and concluded that he had more than two hours to go at this speed, assuming all went well.

Up ahead, he made out a hulking shadow on the side of the road. As he drew closer, he could see the unmistakable shape of an old classic car. He slowed for a closer look as he passed and shook his head side to side, “Unless I’m mistaken, that’s a 1929 Ford Sedan, and in pristine condition. What the heck is it doing on the side of the road on a day like today?”

As he drove on, it occurred to Bob that the car had a 1932 license plate. “I wonder if the car is even licensed for the road?” he pondered. “Well, that was strange.”

Bob had hardly turned his thoughts back to his battle with the weather when he began to make out another shadow further up the road. He recognized the shape of a man trudging down the side of the road. As he drew closer, Bob began to apply the brake. The road was otherwise deserted and there was no conscionable way he could leave this man to face the storm alone, certainly not on the night of December 24.

Bob could see the man had the collars of his long, heavy gray coat pulled tightly around his neck. A slightly battered fedora was pulled down tight and tipped forward and to one side to block the wind from beating against the man’s face.

Bob came to a stop beside him and motioned to hop in. But, instead, the man stood on the road surveying Bob’s car from side to side as if he was trying to decide if it was animal, vegetable or mineral. Finally, Bob reached over and opened the door.

“Do you want to get in?” he asked impatiently.

Slowly at first, as though not quite convinced, the man nodded and, at last, accepted the offer to slide into the passenger seat.

Once inside, the man switched from surveying the car side to side to cautiously surveying Bob up and down. He seemed to find Bob’s attire peculiar. Finally, he looked Bob in the face and said, “I thank you for the ride, sir.”

“Well, I couldn’t very well leave you out there, now could I?” Bob asked.

The two drove in silence for a moment before Bob asked, “Is that your Ford I saw back down the road?”

“It is,” the man replied.

“Beautiful car,” Bob said. “What were you doing out on the road with it on a night like this?”

“Just trying to get home to the family for Christmas,” he said. “My ‘beautiful car,’ as you put it, ran a bit short on gasoline.”

In an instant, Bob realized he would probably have to drive this man back to his car, extending the duration of his trip even further. He glanced at the clock in the dashboard and tried to recalculate his ETA in consideration of this new wrinkle.

“I sure appreciate you coming along,” the man said.

Remembering the spirit of the season, Bob softened his heart a bit. “It’s my pleasure,” he said, even managing a slight smile.

After they’d drove a bit further, the man asked, “What kind of car is this?”

“It’s an Impala,” he said.

“Impala?” the man asked.

“Yeah, you know, a Chevy,” Bob said.

“Chevrolet? I didn’t know they made a car like this,” he said as surveyed the lighted digitized dashboard with an apparent level of amazement.

Up ahead, Bob could see a large, illuminated Shell sign high on a post off the highway. Soon they were at the station where the man discovered he would have to purchase a plastic-red gas can to carry the petrol. The convenience station, the gas can and, no less, the computer at the front counter, all seemed to leave the mean in a state of awe.

When the man came up short on the cost of the gas and gas can, equally amazed that “gasoline in these parts costs more than $3,” Bob pulled out his debit card and made the payment on the man’s behalf.

“It’s OK. I’ve got it,” Bob said.

The man watched a moment and then, as though he suddenly realized that, by swiping the card through the slot on the blue box on the counter, Bob had paid for the gas and container, the man offered a sheepish, “Thank you, again, sir.”

Soon, they were back at the man’s car. Bob got out and admired the vehicle for a bit, in spite of the blowing snow and cold, while the man carefully funneled the gasoline into the car’s tank.

Then, the man opened the hood and, after removing the air filter, poured a few drops into the carburetor. He handed the gas can to Bob and said, “This is yours,” before he hoped behind the wheel. In a moment the car was running with that rather quaint rumble of the old in-line 4-cylinder engines.

The “Bonnet,” as the man referred to the hood, all buttoned up again, Bob nodded and said, “Merry Christmas,” before heading back to his car and putting the gas can in the trunk next to some brightly wrapped presents.

“And to you, sir,” the man said. “And thank you again.”

Eager to make up for lost time, Bob was quickly moving down the road ahead of the man. “Kind of a strange guy,” Bob thought to himself, as he glanced at the man’s headlights reflecting in the rearview mirror. Bob shrugged and glanced again, but they were gone. “Oh, my God, he must have gone into the ditch,” Bob said outloud.

Startled, Bob hit the brakes a bit too hard and almost wound up in the ditch himself. Quickly, he spun the wheel around and headed back to help the man, the whole time thinking, what a shame if he banged up a classic car like that, not to mention banging himself up a bit, too.

As he drove back, Bob could see no sign of the man off the road or among the trees. He went back to where the man had been stranded and turned the Impala around again. As he headed back up the highway, Bob noticed something strange. He could see his own tire tracks in the snow but he couldn’t see any tracks for the 1929 Ford. Bob came to a stop and looked.

“Yes, this is where we were,” Bob thought. “The Ford was parked right there.”

But, there wasn’t a trace of tire tracks from the narrow tires on the old car. It was as if the car had completely vanished. Bob continued on another few miles and, coming around a bend in the road, suddenly recognized his exit.

“How can this be?” he thought. Deeply puzzled but equally pleased, Bob took the turn and was soon pulling into his driveway. He sat in the car a moment trying to make sense of what had happened. Then, he got out and popped the trunk open. As he gathered up the presents, he glanced where he had set the gas can. It wasn’t there.

Shaking his head, he went inside where he was greeted by his wife, Julie, and children at the door with hugs and kisses all around. The children were thrilled to see him but Julie seemed as perplexed as Bob.

“How did you get home so quick?” she asked. “You called from Minneapolis only two hours ago.”

Then, as though she suddenly suspected he had been ribbing her all along, she smiled in appreciation of his ‘little prank.’

Bob smiled back. But, as he hugged his wife again, he looked out into the swirling snow outside and wondered about the mysteries of Christmas.

Here at Performance Unlimited, 5415 Austin Court, Ringwood, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

From 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 17, the MC3 business networking group, part of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce, will throw one heck of a shindig at McHenry VFW east of the bridge on Route 120. Denny Norton, of Performance Unlimited, 5415 Austin Court, Ringwood, is a member of MC3 and the “Shop With A Cop” party is one of his favorite events of the year.

“This is a great party and a great cause,” said Norton. “Last year, the event raised $11,000 so that area police officers could take underprivileged children out holiday shopping at Walmart. This year, we hope to raise even more.”

Norton has donated items for the silent auction at the event. H has also arranged to have racecars out front to draw attention to the festivities. However, his contributions also have a musical quality.

Norton has donated a cash prize for the sing off between the McHenry and Johnsburg High School choirs. The choirs will perform for the listening pleasure of the audience, which will then vote by applause for the winner.

“It’s kind of an American-Idol type thing,” Norton said. “Only, in this case, we already know they have talent. You have to hear these young men and women sing to believe it.”

For more information about the “Shop With A Cop” event, visit: http://www.mc3online.com/Events.aspx.

For more information about Performance Unlimited, McHenry County’s premier auto repair location, visit: www.4performanceunlimited.com or call 815-728-0343.

You probably heard about the 27-inches of snow that fell on the east coast recently. Even if you didn’t hear about that, you’ve almost certainly noticed that Halloween has come and gone and the weather outside is decidedly chillier. What does this mean to you? If you live in these parts, you know that it means you’ll need to start bundling up when you go outside. It also has distinct implications for your vehicle.

Cold weather tends to test a car’s reliability. Will it start? Once running, will the engine continue to run and will the car come to a stop when you apply the brake while driving on a thin layer of ice? While driving in your car, will the windows fog and will the heater provide heat? These questions and more are addressed in Performance Unlimited’s Winter Driving Tips – http://www.4performanceunlimited.com/index.php?pr=Driving_Tips.

Winter is a trying time for a car or truck. With a little preparation and armed with some useful knowledge, it doesn’t have to try your patience or tax your budget.

“Benjamin Franklin used to say that ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’” said Denny Norton, the owner of Performance Unlimited. “That’s never truer than when you’re dealing with your car in the winter. It’s almost Murphy’s Law – if you wait until it’s 20-below zero to see if your battery can handle the cold, it won’t. I don’t just recommend that my clients winterize their vehicles, I winterize my own car.”

To learn more about Performance Unlimited, or to schedule to have your car winterized, visit www.4performanceunlimited.comor call 815-728-0343. Performance Unlimited is a full-service auto repair shop with a reputation built on a commitment to customer service.