Automotive warranty doubled at Ringwood based auto repair shop

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When a company stands behind its products and services everybody wins. When that reputation for quality is matched by a written warranty customers have a sense of security and confidence.

People who bring their cars in to Ringwood based Performance Unlimited have come to realize that the word of owner Denny Norton has value. When Norton returns the keys to a customer after work is completed, his reputation follows that customer down the road. Performance Unlimited prefers to get the work done right the first time but, if there is ever a problem, they’re ready to make it right.

For years now, along with his reputation, Norton has sent customers down the road with a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty in their glove boxes. That will carry them quite a ways. Now, however, Performance Unlimited is able to double the warranty.

“Now, we can warranty most parts and services twice as long and far as we did before,” Norton said. “Now, if someone has a problem related to a repair we’ve completed, the warranty is good for 24 months or 24,000 miles.”

The Warranty is aptly called the Confidence Plus American Warranty and covers a wide range of automotive components. According to the booklet provided with the warranty, it includes:

·         Air conditioning, heating and climate control systems
·         Engine cooling systems
·         Engine performance, drivability, services and repair
·         Emission control system
·         Fuel systems
·         Electronic engine management system and other on-board computer systems (engine body, brake and suspension computers), cruise control systems
·         Brake system
·         Starting and charging systems
·         Electrical systems
·         Exhaust system
·         Ignition system
·         Steering/suspension systems, wheel bearings, CV joints/U-joints, half-shafts and driveshafts
·         Other minor repairs

The warranty is also accepted at other BUMPER TO BUMPER Certified Service Centers.

“If someone has an event within 25 miles of our shop, they can bring their vehicle back to us,” Norton said. “If they’re more than 25 miles they can bring it to any repair shop.”

Customers may have to pay for the work at a non-certified BUMPER TO BUMPER shop. If someone goes to a non-participating repair shop that won’t accept payment from the program, the customer merely submits the original repair order and the invoice from the other repair shop for review. In some cases, reimbursement for car rental is also available while the customer’s car is in the repair shop.

“All people have to do is hang on to their original invoice for the work we perform,” Norton said. It’s as simple as that.”

Norton said the program works because BUMPER TO BUMPER Certified Service Centers provide a level of quality repairs and service that make the warranty viable. If a shop doesn’t offer that level of service, returns and warranty payments will occur with a level of frequency that would be cost prohibitive.

“If half the time a repair shop worked on a car it went 100 miles down the road and broke again, they couldn’t participate in a program like this,” Norton said. “We can offer this kind of coverage because we’re recognized for the quality of work we provide. That BUMPER TO BUMPER certification really means something. It means customers can bring their cars to us with confidence.”

As complimentary programs go, the Confidence Plus North American Warranty, together with the level of quality service and repairs provided by Performance Unlimited, is a sure winner for drivers who have their cars serviced and maintained there.

For more information, call Performance Unlimited at 815-728-0343 or visit: www.4performanceunlimited.com.
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Don’t let a well-tuned engine turn into traffic tickets

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That tune up really did the trick, didn’t it? Gas mileage is up and the engine even seems to have a little more power now that it’s running smoothly. You may feel tempted to give it a little extra gas now and then. But, if you have too much fun with that extra power, it may not save you any money at all. It might even wind up costing you money.

How? Well, first of all, those jack-rabbit starts and that lead foot will eat up that extra gas mileage in a hurry. Worse than that, one day you’ll find yourself cruising along, not paying close enough attention and, suddenly, you’ll see flashing lights in the rearview mirror.

What’s the fine on a speeding ticket these days? It’s better not to know. But, whatever it costs, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Next, you’ll have the residual cost of speeding tickets – increased auto insurance premiums. Those can be really painful.

At Performance Unlimited, they love the look of satisfaction on the faces of clients when they pick up their cars. When they brought the car in, it was knocking, pinging and otherwise running poorly. When they pick the car up, that smooth, sweet sound they once knew so well has returned.

The folks at Performance Unlimited just wouldn’t want to think that they did such a good job of tuning a car that its driver went out and got a ticket. So, they decided to put together a list of tips to avoid tickets – not just speeding tickets but tickets in general:

·         Of course, doing the speed limit is one obvious way to avoid a ticket. In some cases, though you don’t mean to speed, you may run a little late for your destination and push it a little to try to make up time. Our suggestion is to try to give yourself enough time that you can comfortably drive to your destination on time and at the posted speed limit. Some would suggest that you drive within 5 mph of the limit and stick to the middle of the pack or follow a semi-tractor (they usually know where the radar traps are). These tricks, however, are not as sure to save you a visit to a courtroom as simply driving the speed limit.
·         Be particularly careful about your speed and driving at night and when there are fewer cars on the road. The civilian vehicle to squad car ratio is better during the day.
·         Pay attention. Even when you’re trying to follow all the rules of the road you may find yourself on the side of the road while a peace officer writes a ticket if you’re paying enough attention. Remember, “I’m sorry, officer, I didn’t notice the stop sign,” usually won’t help. It’s your job to notice things like stop signs, red lights and other traffic signals.
·         Be alert for changes in speed, school zones, construction zones and other factors that can require you to adjust your driving accordingly. Remember, most states are very defensive of school and construction zones and they make their feelings felt by charging a lot of money to violators. Texting and speaking on cell phones can distract you from your driving. Doing so is also a major ticket in construction and school zones in some states, such as Illinois.
·         Regularly check your headlights, brake lights, turn signals and emergency lights. Some officers will let you off with a warning if they pull you over with a turn signal out. However, even if they do, they will expect you to fix the problem promptly. It’s really embarrassing to have a police officer who let you off two weeks ago after you promised to fix that light, pull you over again and it’s still not fixed.
·         Try not to attract undue attention. The term to consider is ‘probable cause.’ Items that could block your vision, parts hanging off of your car – things like this are noticeable.
·         Wear your seatbelt. Sometimes, police officers will have special roadside checks to watch for passengers in cars who are not wearing seatbelts. Buckle up if, for no other reason, to avoid a ticket.
·         Don’t panic when you see an officer. Even if you realize you’re over the speed limit, it won’t help to jam on the brakes. Maybe the officer didn’t notice you were speeding. If you hit the brakes hard, he or she will almost certainly notice that.
·         Make sure the license-plate sticker on your car is up to date. When a police officer pulls you over for one thing, he or she usually checks you out for other possible infractions, too.
·         It’s considered a good idea to keep your car relatively clean. Why? It makes a good impression on the person with the badge, gun, pen and pad of tickets. They may or may not decide to let you off with a warning. Presenting yourself as a responsible member of society won’t hurt.
·         And, if you are pulled over, be nice. If there’s any chance the officer will let you slide that hope will fall like a lead balloon if you antagonize the nice police officer.
·         If you receive a ticket, just as you would if you’re in an accident, write down everything you can about the location, vehicles in the area, their direction and rate of travel, weather conditions – anything to help keep your memory fresh when you get to court or speak with an attorney.

As we said, here at Performance Unlimited, we hope your driving experiences are safe and happy. If you need any help keeping your car in good shape, we’re here to help – just call 815-728-0343 or visit www.4performanceunlimited.com.

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Season of the flashing road horse, and the flashing squad car, is upon us

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It’s summer: sunny days, communing with nature, road trips. It’s a splendid season and, here in the Midwest, it’s our reward for enduring another winter. It’s also the season when birds and other animals have completed their migrations and hibernations. They rise from their slumber and frolic in the woods and meadows, and, occasionally, across the roadways.

One such critter, known to many in Illinois as the state animal, is the flashing road horse. The flashing road horse, and its cousin, the North American Orange Coneous, are drawn to highways the way Canadian geese are attracted to retention ponds and gulls are drawn to department store parking lots. The flashing road horse and its distant cousin, the two-sided road sign, the latter usually seen leg in hand with the species known as the Road Construction flaggarious, require special considerations from drivers.

Less random than the deer that might dart into the road, these creatures of the roadous contructioneous family are often announced by their brethren and sisters, the roadconstructionahead billboardia.

Many states are very protective of the flashing road horse, though some claim this is because of their frequent and close proximity to human animals of the road construction variety. Of course, road construction workers, unlike the road horse, do not flash, though they will bark loudly at anyone who drives above the posted speed limit in a road construction zone.

That’s one of the first things to think about when driving near the flashing road horse or the North American Orange Coneous; slow down and be aware. Though the flashing road horse is an amazingly docile animal, known to remain stationary for months, and months, and months and …, well, months on end, road construction humans in their vicinity often seem preoccupied with other matters, such as tearing up and replacing the flashing road horse habitat.

Paying attention is vital when driving near the flashing road horse and similar species. You might pay attention on the rare possibility that you would actually see a flashing road horse move from its familiar frozen stance. Usually, however, this only happens when someone hasn’t been paying attention and strikes a road horse or two with a vehicle.

One of the worst things to do when driving near flashing road horses or North American Orange Coneouss is to talk on a cell phone. Not only could this attract the attention of that other denizen of the roadways – known by several names, including constable, patrol officer and trooper – but, speaking on a cell phone while driving near humans of the road construction variety has led to serious injury for many flashing road horses, as well as the road construction humans.

The prior variety of humans has something in common with the road horse – both have flashing lights. But, while the road horse merely flashes its light from a stationary position, the constable, patrol officer and trooper will flash lights while moving. Usually, the flashing of lights is followed by the presentation of a small token of appreciation. This, delivered on a yellow slip of paper, commonly known as a ticket, includes an invitation to visit with another human animal.

This latter animal, known as the Justice OT Peace, has something in common with the orange coneous – the absence of what is frequently referred to as a sense of humor. Those who have driven too fast near the flashing road horse, spoken on a cell phone while passing North American Orange Coneouss or have actually struck road horses or, much worse, humans of the road construction variety, will find that they wish the Justice OT Peace had a sense of humor.

But, there’s nothing funny about the costs associated with the presentation of tickets of this type and there is certainly nothing funny about hitting a road construction worker.

This message, along with the hope that you all have an enjoyable and safe summer driving season, is brought to you by Performance Unlimited, where they keep you on the road whether waiting on a flagger or driving in a zone free of the flashing road horse.

For more information, call Performance Unlimited at 815-728-0343 or visit: www.4performanceunlimited.com.
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Extreme weather is the ultimate test for your vehicle

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Extreme weather will test our vehicles. If there is a weakness, excessively hot or cold weather may bring that weakness to the forefront. Belts and hoses that are on the brink, radiators and coolant/antifreeze that are no longer operating at their peak performance, engine thermostats that are stuck: these are just a few of the issues that may float below the surface on days when the weather is mild. But, when the thermometer approaches, or passes, 100-degrees, they are pushed over the edge.

You’ll see evidence of these problems on the side of the road – hoods up, possibly with steam rising from the engine. Of course, that assumes it isn’t your vehicle that cracks under the stress of weather extremes, in which case it may be your hood that is up. When it’s 100 degrees outside, that’s not a good time to find yourself stuck somewhere with no relief from the heat.

As bad or worse than finding yourself stuck somewhere is the potential costs associated with these problems. The costs can go well beyond towing and simple repairs.

Take, for instance, what happens when a radiator hose bursts. For a while, you may drive along oblivious to the problem. You may notice the smell of escaping coolant. Eventually, if it is working correctly, the temperature light will come on in your dashboard. If you don’t pull over then on your own, the car may decide to pull over. The engine may stammer to a stop.

When the engine balks, that’s a very bad sign. Hopefully, it’s not a catastrophic event where an engine seizes and begs for replacement. However, even if you’re fortunate enough that your engine survives to run another day the level of damage to the engine is excessive. You may find that the occurrence has taken miles out of the life of your engine. It may not run as well and may even suffer lower performance in terms of gas mileage.

The key, to paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, is an ounce of prevention. You don’t have to wait until the heat tears the heart out of your vehicle.

Ask yourself a few key questions:

When did you last have the oil changed (if the oil is old and dirty, overheating will cause more damage quicker)?
Have you had your belts and hoses checked recently?
Is your coolant up to snuff?
Is your thermostat operating at prescribed temperatures? The thermostat is designed to open at a certain temperature so the coolant will run through the radiator. If it remains closed too long, the engine overheats.

These are the basic questions to consider. However, it doesn’t hurt to consider other issues, as well. When did you last have the engine tuned? Are the tires in good shape and at the proper air pressure (be sure you don’t check the air pressure when the tires are hot – after driving any appreciable time – this will affect the air pressure reading)?

While you can perform checks on some of these issues yourself, you may want to bring your vehicle to a certified auto repair specialist, such as those at Performance Unlimited in Ringwood. In the industrial park west of Route 31 between McHenry and Richmond, the auto repair specialists at Performance Unlimited are experts at keeping your car in optimal operating performance.

For more information, call Performance Unlimited at 815-728-5040 or visit www.4performanceunlimited.com.
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Hot weather will test your car’s AC unit

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Hot out, isn’t it? Days like this make us appreciate the wonders of modern conveniences, such as air conditioning. Speaking of air conditioning, that’s also comfort creating equipment for a car, isn’t it?

Just imagine, it’s 1936 and the family is on its way to Aunt Betty’s. The windows are down in the hopes the breeze will offer some relief from the 100-plus heat outside. As heat waves radiate from the pavement, you realize it’s not a helpful breeze but a touch of a blast furnace coming in the windows.

Yes, air conditioning is a wonderful thing. These days, the only way you’d have to worry about reliving the misery of pre-AC travel is if the equipment in your car broke. If such was the case, a day like this would probably have you rushing the car over to a trusted repair shop. Even if your air conditioning is working, there’s always the possibility that it’s not working up to snuff.

“If your AC isn’t quite doing the job the way it used to, on a really hot day, you’ll notice the difference,” said Denny Norton, owner of Ringwood based Performance Unlimited. “It’s possible your Freon is simply low, in which case you’ll want to have the system checked and the Freon recharged.”

Norton said that maintaining the AC in a car is also a good way to ensure more costly repairs aren’t required.

“If you take care of your AC, it should take care of you,” he said. “But, if it breaks down, repairs can be costly.”

Just like the air conditioner cooling your home, the AC in your car includes expensive parts, such as a compressor, condenser, evaporator and drier. The serpentine belt that drives the alternator in most cars, also turns the wheel on the front of the compressor. If the belt goes, not only do you lose AC, but your car will also stop producing needed electricity.

The AC unit in your car also relies on electrical wiring and components. The latter are even more complex as cars have become increasingly computerized.

To schedule an appointment to have your air conditioning checked, call Performance Unlimited at 815-728-0343 or visit: www.4performanceunlimited.com.
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Your engine needs just a little TLC to keep on keeping on

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Maybe you don’t exactly love you car’s engine. You may start the car and start driving while hardly considering your engine at all. But, if your engine stops doing what it’s expected to do, you may develop strong emotions about your engine in a hurry.

“Your oil is the lifeblood of your engine,” said Denny Norton of Ringwood based Performance Unlimited. If you shortchange your engine oil you’re liable to pay in the long run.”

If that happens; if your engine ceases to run or runs so poorly that you can’t help but take notice, before you blame your engine, you may want to consider if you have any blame for its sickly condition. Ask yourself, while your engine started and ran day after day, good weather and bad, did you reciprocate in any way? Did you show your appreciation by ensuring your engine had all that it needed to keep performing its work-horse duties?

It’s amazing how quickly an engine will seize up and stop running without motor oil. And, if the motor oil isn’t replaced at regular and prescribed intervals, it’s amazing how much life it will tear out of the heart of an engine.

Motor oil carries away dirt and particles that can scratch at an engine’s parts. The oil itself will breakdown and loose its degrees of its cooling and lubricating qualities after time. It’s a good idea to change the oil every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Another vital fluid that you and your engine rely on is coolant/antifreeze. Coolant carries heat out of the engine and into the radiator. In the radiator, as the fan pulls air through, the coolant releases the heat and prepares for a fresh run through the engine. But, if you don’t have enough coolant, or if it is too old and tired to do its job effectively, heat will start building up higher in the engine.

An engine that runs too hot experiences more strain on its parts and metals. A crisis situation occurs when an engine overheats. It’s no fun for the engine and it’s no fun for you sitting on the side of the road with the hood up on a 90-plus summer day when you have somewhere to go, maybe even the beach for some relaxing fun in the sun.

If an engine gets too hot, however, a crisis becomes a catastrophe as an engine seizes up. Instead of having engine parts, you have an engine block in the literal sense – one block of fused iron. Or, maybe the engine block will crack letting the oil, coolant and compression out where it makes a mess and does you no good at all.

So, if you haven’t thought about your car’s engine lately, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to give it a little thought now and then. A tiny bit of TLC now could prevent untold headaches down the road.

For more information, call Performance Unlimited at 815-728-0343 or visit: www.4performanceunlimited.com.
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Will your antifreeze perform as well as a coolant this summer?

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Well, your antifreeze kept your engine block from freezing and cracking last winter. How should you reward it? How about giving it a physical examination and, if it isn’t up to snuff as a coolant, having it replaced. That might not seem entirely appreciative but it’s probably the smart move.

The liquid in your radiator is supposed swing with power from both sides of the plate – in winter and in summer. Where baseball players take the winter off, however, antifreeze/coolant comes to bat year round.

Without that opportunity to recuperate, it can wear down and go into a permanent slump. In other words, you may have no choice but to put your current antifreeze/coolant out to pasture and bring in a fresh player from the bench.

There are inexpensive hydrometers in local auto parts stores that even a rookie can use to determine the ability of a car’s coolant to take on the summer ahead. Will it be a hot summer? Time will tell.

For those who enjoy a little pointless risk in life, waiting to see how their coolant reacts to a day of driving in 98-degree heat is one option. If the coolant fails the test and the car overheats, hopefully, they won’t have any permanent engine damage or find themselves on the side of the road late at night in a tough neighborhood. But, that’s what taking risks is all about, right?

For the rest of us, an ounce of prevention is a worthy idea. Replacing the antifreeze/coolant with a fresh player is far less expensive than the cost of a tow and replacing a radiator, hoses or an engine.

While the sandlot version of an auto-repair technician can replace the coolant in their own car it’s hardly worth the effort. First of all, they can’t replace last winter’s antifreeze with a fresh batch of coolant, but they’ll have to dispose of the old stuff properly.

When bringing a car into a certified auto-repair shop, such as Performance Unlimited in Ringwood, not only will they properly dispose of the old antifreeze, they’ll also make sure your cooling system is working properly for the summer ahead; they’ll inspect the hoses, radiator, radiator cap and thermostat. Any of these parts can also fail on a particularly hot day.

Some people like surprises and some people don’t. Few, however, like surprises when the surprise is their car breaking down on a hot summer day.

For more information about Performance Unlimited, call 815-728-0343 or visit: http://www.4performanceunlimited.com.
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Longer tire wear with timely rotations

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Have you rotated your tires lately? If not, maybe you should.

“Rotating your tires will extend the life of the tires while ensuring safer driving,” said Denny Norton, owner of Ringwood based Performance Unlimited.  “Tires wear differently on the front of the car than they do on the rear. By rotating the tires you make sure that they wear a more evenly.”

Uneven wear between tires will have one pair of tires worn to the point of needing replacement before the others. At that time, car owners have to decide whether to purchase two tires or a full set of four. Even wear on the tires also offers the optimal traction for steering and braking.

Some car manufacturers recommend rotating the tires every 5,000 or 10,000 miles. However, checking the owner’s manual is a good way to make sure you’re doing it according to the recommended schedule.

Rotating the tires is a procedure car owners can do themselves. However, it’s important that they know which way to rotate the tires – front to back/back to front or in a criss-cross pattern. Additionally, rotating the tires means removing at least two tires at a time. It’s essential that the car is properly and safely jacked up for such an operation.

“You can do this yourself,” Norton said. “But, it’s not that expensive to have your mechanic do it. Besides, while rotating the tires, your mechanic can also check the wear for other potential problems.”

Tire wear offers clues on a variety of other factors. For instance, irregular bare spots on a tire can indicate that the tires need balancing. Other types of wear can indicate the need for an alignment or the replacement of front suspension and/or steering parts.

If someone is rotating their own tires, it’s important that they tighten the lug nuts in a crossing pattern. Additionally, Norton said that cars with aluminum wheels need to be retorked after the first 100 miles to ensure that they don’t come loose.

To schedule a tire rotation or other repairs at Performance Unlimited for your vehicle, call 815-728-0343 or visit http://www.4performanceunlimited.com.


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What kind of parts is your mechanic using? Aftermarket parts are not always cost effective

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The bad news was that your car threw its timing belt. But, once you recover from the sticker shock of an operation such as that, now the work is all done and you can pick up your vehicle. Good news, right? Not so fast.

This is a question you probably should have asked before the mechanic started working on your car but what kind of parts did they use? Were they OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts or were they aftermarket parts. Some aftermarket parts can have potentially shorter life spans?

Some people might say, “Parts are parts.” It’s not true. Not all parts are created equal. Denny Norton, owner of Ringwood based Performance Unlimited, says that he approaches aftermarket parts with a sense of caution.

“Some aftermarket parts are as good as or better than OEM equipment,” he said. “Some aren’t. Experience teaches you which aftermarket parts you can trust.”

Aftermarket parts sometimes cost less than the OEM parts they were designed to replace. However, Norton said using the aftermarket version of a part is not always a money saving idea. Additionally, he said some repair shops use aftermarket parts without telling the customers.

“Some shops will use aftermarket parts and pocket the difference in price between that and the original equipment parts,” he said. “Customers wind up paying the full price for inferior parts and equipment.”

Norton said it’s essential that car owners work with a repair shop they can trust. He said that, when a shop replaces parts on a car, the customer has a legal right to take the old parts with him or her. He said they also have a right to see what kind of part was used on their vehicle.

“With some parts, it’s OK to use the aftermarket version,” Norton said. “In some cases, though, I wouldn't advise it.”

For more information about Performance Unlimited, call 815-728-0343 or visit http://www.4performanceunlimited.com.
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Spending a little on maintenance can save a lot on auto repairs

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The Performance Unlimited auto repair technicians at 5415 Austin Court, Ringwood, have built a strong reputation for more than quality repair services; they’re also known as mechanics who care for the welfare of their clients.

“We know that, when someone’s car breaks down, at the minimum, it’s an inconvenience,” said owner Denny Norton. “In some cases, it’s a significant problem. In this economy, when someone’s car has a major problem, it can have a catastrophic effect on their budget.”

Norton said they do everything they can to soften the blow in such situations. However, he said the best thing they can do is to help people keep up on maintaining their cars.

“When money is tight, people look for ways to save,” Norton said. “Sometimes, they save by cutting back on auto maintenance expenses. That’s not always a good idea.”

Norton said maintenance expenses are generally a fraction of major auto repair expenses. The prior costs often eliminate the need for the latter saving more money in the long run.

In fact, since more people are trying to drive more miles with their existing vehicles, rather than buying new cars, maintenance is more important than ever.

“There’s no way around it,” Norton said. “If you drive your car you’re going to have normal wear and tear on the vehicle. In some cases, the wear and tear is abnormal.”

Norton described ‘abnormal’ wear and tear as those things you can’t necessarily plan for, such as hitting an extremely deep pothole and damaging your suspension, steering and/or alignment.

On the other hand, normal wear and tear simply happens and maintenance is quite predictable. After a certain number of miles, depending on individual driving habits, brake pads wear out, shocks lose their bounce and sparkplugs fail to sufficiently spark.

In terms of maintenance, nothing is more crucial than timely oil changes. When a car’s oil is changed on schedule it extends the life of the engine.

“We know people are trying to save money,” Norton said. “Our goal is to help people keep that transportation column in their budgets as small as possible.”

To schedule maintenance or repairs at Performance Unlimited for your vehicle, call 815-728-0343 or visit http://www.4performanceunlimited.com.
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