Automotive child safety isn’t what it used to be … thank goodness
%13-%09-%2012, %Rauto safety, child restraint, child seats, properly used safety seatPermalink
I remember when I was young. Our family car was a station wagon. As far as my brother, sister and I were concerned, that was just great. We were free to roam throughout the back of the car at our leisure. We’d climb over the seat and back again playing games of tag and who knows what else. No seatbelts – nothing.
Today, that’s not allowed. By law, all children in Illinois must be securely belted into their seats or, if younger, strapped into an approved child-safety seat.
My dad told me about the child seat they used when I was young.
“It was just some fabric strung between a frame made of conduit,” he said. “The conduit had hooks on the end that hung over the back of the front seat so you sat between your mother and me.”
By description, it sounds like we were loaded for launching in case of an accident: hardly the ideal way to ensure safety.
Using proper safety equipment in a vehicle is an idea Denny Norton, owner of Ringwood based auto repair shop Performance Unlimited, heartily agrees with. Norton has driven in stockcar races and other automotive competitions. He swears by using the best available safety equipment.
“If you have a wreck and you’re not prepared, you could be seriously injured or worse,” he said. “You have a roll cage so you won’t be crushed if the car rolls. You wear a fire-retardant suit in case you have a fire. All the safety equipment in a car has a specific purpose. It’s all designed to keep you safer and it’s often the difference between walking away from a wreck or being carried away.”
In terms of children in passenger vehicles, Norton said he can’t imagine why any parent would want to shortchange safety.
“Years ago, we didn’t know any better,” Norton said. “Seat belts weren’t even standard equipment on most cars. If you wanted seatbelts, you had to special order them with your new car.”
Today, all cars come with seatbelts. Cars also come with 2-Stage air bags to cushion the blow in an accident. And yet, “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children of every age from 2 to 14 years old (2001 figures),” according to a 2003 National Highway Traffic Safety Association report. Take away the safety features and the number is likely to go much higher.
According to the Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act, revised January 1, 2004, parents are “responsible for providing for the protection of such child by properly securing him or her in an appropriate child restraint system.”
The point is that, with proper care, and use of approved child-safety restraints, children stand a much better chance of surviving an accident without significant injury. Driving with appropriate caution further improves each child’s chances but even that isn’t an iron-clad guarantee.
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Can your engine oil handle 33 revolutions per second or more?
%04-%09-%2012, %Rauto maintenance, auto maintenance northern Illinois, engine oil, oil viscosity, rpmPermalink
Drivers with tachometers in their cars know that, give or take a little, their car’s engines spend a lot of their time running at about 2,000 rpm. That’s 2,000 revolutions per minute. That’s a lot of revolutions.
To better understand that number, let’s break it down to revolutions per second. That works out to more than 33 revolutions per second. Count one-one-thousand and, by the time the last syllable is out of your mouth, the crankshaft in that engine has revolved 33 times. Now that’s moving.
If you consider that red line for most engines, the maximum rpm the engine is recommended to safely handle without breaking, is generally 5,000 to 6,000 rpm, that 33 revolutions per second increases to as much as 99 revolutions per second. That’s faster than a hummingbird flapping its wings. And a hummingbird merely has to move its wings up and then back down.
With a 4-stroke combustion engine, every revolution of the crankshaft translates to, not just the crankshaft turning, but the bearings at the connecting rods absorbing that revolution. And, each time the crankshaft makes a revolution, each piston has made a complete pass, from the top of its stroke to the bottom, in each of the cylinders.
Consider the kind of heat that generates in an engine. Clearly, if the engine oil isn’t up to speed, the engine will quickly experience some level of damage.
“There’s nothing you can do to maintain your car that’s more important than changing the oil on a timely basis,” said Denny Norton of Ringwood based Performance Unlimited. “Oil is the lifeblood of your engine.”
To prove the point, consider the effect of all that metal-on-metal friction without the benefit of oil. Without oil, we can most likely measure the amount of time an engine will run before a catastrophic breakdown in minutes. That’s why you’re father probably always told you, “If the oil light comes on, pull over right away.”
He knew that an engine light was a potential indicator of a problem in the heart of the engine – the oil.
Norton said that owners should change the oil in their vehicles within factory specifications in the owner’s manual.
Of course, drivers don’t have to change their oil that often but, considering the benefit-to-cost ratio of timely oil changes, it’s hard to imagine why they wouldn’t.
“Most auto repair shops are pretty economical in terms of what they charge for an oil change,” Norton said. “For instance, we only charge about $25 for a basic oil change. You can consider that low-cost engine insurance.”
For more information or to setup an appointment at Performance Unlimited, call 815-728-0343 or visit www.4performanceunlimited.com.
Properly used technology means texting when you’re not driving
%29-%08-%2012, %Rsafe driving, safe driving in construction zone, safe driving in school zone, texting, texting and driving, texting in a school zonePermalink
Technology is a wonderful thing or, at least, it can be wonderful. The key to technology is to use it the right way – to use it safely.
The microwave is quite a convenience when we want to heat a meal quickly. We all know, however, that it tends to backfire if we try to cook that meal in a metal pan. The same principle holds true with cellular phones.
Auto manufacturers have spent untold hours and dollars looking for ways to knock even a fraction of a second off of the braking time of the vehicles they manufacture. The point is that, in an emergency situation, fractions of a second count. It’s also true of emergency driving situations that we usually don’t have a lot of warning.
If we knew a truck would blow a stop sign and cross our path at 65 mph, we’d reduce our speed long before there was a potential collision. But, in an emergency, we don’t know the truck driver isn’t paying attention to the stop sign. These critical fractions of a second can mean the difference between a relatively uneventful drive and a trip to the hospital or morgue.
If our attention is also diverted, we lose those critical instances of hope. If we’re not paying close enough attention, we’re not always ready to react and avoid an accident.
Using a cell phone, especially texting on a cell phone, dramatically increases the likelihood that we’ll lose critical seconds in an emergency while driving. Just as we wouldn’t drive our car without properly operating brakes, Denny Norton, of Ringwood based Performance Unlimited, said it’s a form of Russian roulette to operate a car without focusing on the job at hand – driving.
“I’ve driven in stockcar races,” Norton said. “I can tell you that, even with professional drivers, most accidents happen when someone doesn’t react quickly enough to an emergency. That’s especially true on the public roadways where everyone isn’t going in the same direction and where our paths cross.”
Mechanic saves vacation for couple that took their car out west
%22-%08-%2012, %Rauto maintenance, auto repair, auto technician, breakdown, road tripPermalink
Mike is mechanically inclined. He’s worked in the trades for years. You could say he has turned a wrench or two in his time. So, when his car began acting up while he was on vacation in the rolling hills and mountains out West last week, Mike was fairly confident he had correctly identified the root of the problem.
Considering all the steep inclines he and his wife had traveled on their trip, Mike was convinced the problem was in the transmission. The car’s transmission seemed to slip, particularly when climbing hills.
So, Mike and his wife stopped at a library in one of the small towns they passed through. On the Internet, Mike described the symptoms to an auto repair tips Web site. He was more than mildly surprised when the response came back: “Your spark plugs are bad.”
“That can’t be,” Mike said to his wife and they drove on. But, the problem persisted and seemed as though it was getting worse. At last, he was compelled by the severity of the issue, as well as by his wife’s subtle comments, to pull into a small gas station with an auto repair shop.
Mike described the problem to the mechanic on duty. Then, while the mechanic looked the car over, he and his wife went for lunch. When they came back from lunch, Mike was amazed to hear the mechanic say, “It looks like your (spark)plugs have been fouled.”
The mechanic did not have time to change the plugs right away – an exhaustive procedure with a car of the type that Mike drives that can require the removal of one of the intakes. But, the mechanic did offer another possible remedy, albeit of the temporary nature.
“I think you’ve got yourself some bad gas,” the mechanic said. “You can pour this additive into the tank and see if that helps.”
Lacking any viable alternative, Mike followed the mechanic’s advice. To Mike and his wife’s amazement, the problem quickly cleared up. They completed the vacation without another hitch. In fact, once they arrived back at home, Mike decided the car was running so well that he wouldn’t change the plugs for a while yet.
The moral of the story is that it’s difficult for someone who isn’t a certified auto repair technician, even if the owner of a car is otherwise mechanically inclined, to always recognize what’s wrong with a car. The Internet can help, but there’s nothing more important to the welfare of your vehicle than to have a quality trusted auto repair shop where you can bring you car.
The next time you’re on vacation in the Dakotas, or even in Carolinas, you may be fortunate enough to stop at a repair shop where the mechanic knows the business of auto repair inside and out and matches that knowledge with honesty and integrity. Keeping an eye out for the Bumper To Bumper Certified Service Centers logo will help.
The best way to improve your odds while on the road, however, is to make sure your vehicle is in top running condition before you go. That starts with using a qualified and trusted auto repair shop back at home.
The folks at Ringwood based Performance Unlimited, which everyone a safe and enjoyable summer on the road or around home. Whether you live in the area, or you’re just passing through, Performance Unlimited is here to help.
For more information, call Performance Unlimited at 815-728-0343 or visit: www.4performanceunlimited.com.
Rain requires driving adjustment and proper maintenance
%13-%08-%2012, %Rauto maintenance northern Illinois, slick conditions, wet roads, wiper bladesPermalink
At long last, the rain has come to the Midwest again. While it may be too late for the corn crop, most, if not all, of us in these parts welcome the rain with open arms. It’s been a long, hot, dry summer.
With the return of the rain, it’s also time to adjust our driving a bit. It’s not just that the rain offers less friction on the pavement for braking and control, it’s also the oil that rises to the top of the rain-slicked road.
The rains help to wash away the oils that drip onto the road from passing vehicles. However, with as little rain as we’ve seen this summer, those oils have built up more than usual; the rain will have to work a little harder to wash the oils away. In the meantime, when it does rain, the roads are a little slicker than usual.
With good tires and a little caution, most of us will be fine. In fact, there’s no need to overreact. It’s not as though we speaking of an ice-covered road in midwinter. Inevitably, however, more accidents will occur under rainy conditions than dry. That category on an insurance actuaries chart will see an uptick.
To avoid finding ourselves in that undesirable category, it’s also important that your car’s brakes operate correctly, that your steering and suspension are in good shape and it won’t hurt if all your lights and your wipers are up to speed. These are factors that will help to prepare you when winter does arrive, too.
The law of averages follows us onto the road every time we drive. Fortunately, the odds are low enough that we’re not involved in accidents every other day. Still, with a little caution driving, and proper maintenance of our vehicles, we can reduce the odds even further.
At Performance Unlimited in Ringwood, we wish all of you a safe and happy driving experience. For more information, call Performance Unlimited at 815-728-0343 or visit: www.4performanceunlimited.com.
Checking your bulbs could avoid tickets and accidents
%06-%08-%2012, %Rauto lights, auto maintenance northern Illinois, auto safety check, check bulbPermalink
How often do you conduct a safety walk around on your vehicle? You may recall that, when you studied The Rules of the Road in preparation for that first driver’s license exam, in days gone by, you were told to check your lights and turn signals every time you went for a drive. Today, the booklet merely states that each car must have this equipment and that it must work properly.
Let’s see a show of hands: How many of you actually give your vehicle a safety check before you drive? How many of you have ever given your car a safety check?
That’s what I thought. The truth is that we get in and go, don’t we? Somewhere, in the back of our minds, we’re thinking, “What are the odds one of our lights or a turn signal is out?”
Well, the odds aren’t as long as you might think. Eventually, all bulbs burn out. It’s just a matter of time. Of course, we know that and we further adjust the odds by adding the squad-car-factor, which goes something like this: “What are the odds that one of our lights or turn signals will burn out today and, furthermore, what are the odds a police officer will notice before we do?”
As Obi Wan Kenobi would say of the force, we all hope the odds are with us. But that’s the thing about odds. Eventually, the law of averages catch up and the odds are against us. We might just get that ticket, assuming the officer isn’t nice enough to point out the burned out bulb and admonish us to repair the situation post-haste. Unfortunately, there is more to it than that.
Headlights are the only external bulbs on our vehicle that directly assist us while we drive. They improve our vision up ahead. Of course, they also alert other drivers to our presence. And that’s the primary role of most of the bulbs and turn signals on the outside of our vehicles.
The taillights let other drivers know we’re up ahead or, possibly, crossing in front of them. The turn signals and brake lights, however, go a step further; they help to communicate our intentions and actions. They let other drivers know we’re stopping and/or planning to turn. Our emergency flashers let drivers know that we’ve got a problem; they should slow down and pass with caution.
There is only one light bulb on your vehicle that does not have a direct influence on safety but can still result in a ticket if it’s burned out. Can you guess which bulb that is (read to the end for the answer)?
In other words, while burned out bulbs could result in traffic citations, they can also result in accidents. The odds are that a burned out taillight will not land you or a loved one in a hospital or morgue. And yet, you’re still playing with the law of averages. Someone, somewhere has died because a turn signal bulb was burned out and another driver didn’t know they were turning. Someone is in the hospital today because their taillights malfunctioned.
You probably don’t need to give your vehicle a walk around every time you drive, though it wouldn’t hurt. But, it’s still a very good idea to stay on top of your vehicle’s safety equipment, such as the lights and turn signals.
At a quality auto repair shop, such as Performance Unlimited, 5415 Austin Court, Ringwood, they’ll give your vehicle a safety check any time it comes in for repairs or maintenance. Oh, and which bulb has little or nothing to do with safety but can still result in a ticket if it burns out? That would be the license plate bulb.
For more information, call Performance Unlimited at 815-728-0343 or visit: www.4performanceunlimited.com.
Automotive warranty doubled at Ringwood based auto repair shop
%01-%08-%2012, %Rauto maintenance northern Illinois, auto repair, auto repair McHenry, auto repair warrantyPermalink
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.
Don’t let a well-tuned engine turn into traffic tickets
%31-%07-%2012, %Rauto maintenance northern Illinois, auto repair McHenry, auto tuneup, moving violation, speeding ticketPermalink
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.
Season of the flashing road horse, and the flashing squad car, is upon us
%24-%07-%2012, %Rroad construction, road horse, safe driving, safe driving in construction zonePermalink
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.
Extreme weather is the ultimate test for your vehicle
%17-%07-%2012, %Rauto maintenance, auto maintenance northern Illinois, extreme weatherPermalink
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.
