New Year’s is a time for resolutions. The most popular resolution is to hit the gym and get fit, maybe take off a few pounds. Gyms and fitness centers will see an influx of new members. Unfortunately, within a month or so, the resolve that brought the new members in will dissolve and the ‘regulars’ will have unfettered access to the fitness equipment.

For those who fear their motivation may wane, Total-U-Fitness offers a solution. Owners Tony and Michelle Myatt are personal trainers who work closely with their clients. Their total approach to fitness includes addressing the mental and emotional aspects that get in the way of success for many.

While making a commitment to improve your physical condition is a worthy use of a resolution, if you’re in good shape already, or if you believe more than one resolution is allowed, you might want to make a similar resolution to keep your car in shape.

The Myatts will be the first to recommend someone you can trust as a personal trainer. They feel the same way about taking care of their vehicles. When they look for someone they trust they don’t even need to leave the confines of Ringwood; they look to Performance Unlimited.

“Your car will take care of you if you take care of your car,” said Denny Norton, owner of Performance Unlimited. “Preventative maintenance is low-cost insurance to avoid the kind of road-side breakdowns that only just start with a costly tow.”

Norton said that, more than just helping to avoid costly problems, maintenance also helps to maintain the value of the vehicle.

“I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’” Norton said. “He could just as easily have been talking about cars.”

Norton said proper maintenance starts with timely oil changes. He described oil as the lifeblood of an engine. There are different types of oils and manufacturers have different recommendations about when to change the oil. Norton suggests car owners check their owner’s manual or call their trusted repair shop for answers.

Of course, maintenance goes beyond changing the oil. Brakes, suspensions, steering, electrical, the engine: all these and more are integral parts of a vehicle. Well maintained, they’re more likely to offer uninterrupted service. Without proper maintenance, it’s a roll of the dice every time an owner takes the car out for a ride.

Norton said he hopes people stick with their fitness resolutions. If they also make a resolution to maintain their vehicles in 2013, he said a quality auto repair shop can help.

For more information about Total-U-Fitness, call 800-559-UFIT (8348) or visit www.totalufit.com. For more information about Performance Unlimited, call 815-728-0343 or visit www.4performanceunlimited.com.

The evening started great for Bob and Linda, and for Bill and Cindy. Both couples left the kids with trusted babysitters and headed out to New Year’s parties where they would spend their time with good friends welcoming in 2013 while bidding 2012 goodbye.

Bob and Linda hired McHenry Limousine Service to ride to the party in style, picking up some friends along the way. Bill and Cindy saved their money and drove themselves. In the early hours of Jan. 1, 2013, while the limo delivered Bob and Linda back home after a delightful evening, Bill took a ride in the back of a squad car while Cindy took a ride in the back of an ambulance.

Of course, New Year’s Eve 2012 hasn’t passed into history books yet. But, the story above is more than likely. It will happen. The names may be different but, somewhere in Illinois, a Bill or a Cindy or someone by some other name will spoil the holiday with a DUI. Someone else will experience the, hopefully, life-saving talents of paramedics at an accident scene. Someone else won’t be so lucky.

Sergeant Dennis Leard, of the Woodstock Police Department, said accidents are on the rise. In fact, over the course of last year’s Christmas and New Year’s holiday, 21 people died on the roads in Illinois. During last year’s New Year’s holiday, 502 people were injured on roads in the state.

“If you’re in a crash where someone is killed or seriously injured, that’s something you never get over,” Sergeant Leard said. “You’ll carry that with you the rest of your life.”

If someone isn’t drinking and driving, the odds are negligible that they’ll receive a DUI or cause an alcohol-related accident. All they have to do is watch out for the people on the road who aren’t so careful. The more someone drinks, if they do drive, the higher the odds go. Of course, the numbers above speak to accident related deaths and injuries.

In 2010, law enforcement officers recorded 41,900 DUI arrests (according to 2010 Illinois DUI Facts). Drunk driving is based on a driver having .08 percent alcohol in their blood. Getting to that point depends on the weight of the driver and how much alcohol they had to drink in a given period of time.

DUIs are costly, even when they don’t result in accident-related civil cases. Sergeant Leard said a straight DUI will cost upwards of $15,000 these days. That cost doesn’t even begin to consider the inconvenience of losing a driver’s license.

While the odds of receiving a DUI are hardly worth the cost on any given night, the odds are much worse over the New Year’s Eve holiday. Sergeant Leard said that Woodstock, as with other communities in the state, has received grant money from the state to increase the police presence on the road that night.

“It’s a sustained traffic enforcement grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation,” Sergeant Leard said.

While the grant will help to ensure that more drunk drivers are taken off the road before someone gets hurt, Sergeant Leard said the goal of the grant is also to encourage people to avoid driving drunk.

“If people know that we’ll be out patrolling the streets in force, maybe they’ll think twice before they drive drunk,” he said.

Thankfully, many do. As Marty Robb, the owner of McHenry Limousine Service put it, “New Year’s is always gangbusters. People are just having a good-old time. That’s why they call us – so they can have fun, get crazy and not worry.”

As busy as it gets, Robb recommends calling ahead to reserve a ride. However, he said they’ll also pick people up on the fly, though there may be a little wait.

Denny Norton, of Ringwood based auto repair service Performance Unlimited, said he highly recommends McHenry Limousine Service. They’re prompt, courteous and really add some savoir-faire to an event. However, Norton added that any limo or cab ride is a good bargain over driving drunk.

McHenry Limousine Service has 6-passenger and 10-passenger-stretch limos. To schedule a ride, call (815) 344-4466 or visit www.mchenrylimousine.com.

This public service notice is sponsored by Performance Unlimited, wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year. For more information about Performance Unlimited, call (815) 728-0343 or visit www.4performanceunlimited.com.

Are you planning a trip for the holiday? Maybe you’ve opted to skip the groping and full-body scan at the airport; you’ve decided to drive.

Good choice – you’ll save money and avoid the embarrassment. Of course, you’ll want to drive smart. In other words, you want to make sure you arrive in time for the opening of presents and the Christmas feast. There’s never a good time to find yourself stuck on the side of the road. Christmas Eve and Christmas, however, are particularly bad days for such an event.

First of all, you’re usually going somewhere special on a day such as that. Any other day, you might be late for work or miss an episode of Dancing With The Stars. But holidays, such as Christmas, only come once each year.

Second of all, though we’ve had a mild winter so far, the weather can turn. There’s word that the weather may have snowy plans for us already. Dangerous wind chills and deep snow drifts can make mechanical failures an adventure and, potentially, hazardous.

The third reason you don’t want to breakdown on a holiday is, just as you have holiday plans, the folks who work on cars, vans, SUVs and trucks, like to kickback with friends and enjoy the season, too. Finding an auto repair shop that can work on your car Christmas Day is unlikely, at best. Even finding a tow truck is problematic on a holiday.

The best answer is proper maintenance. If you take care of your vehicle, it’s more likely to take care of you, too. That’s not an absolute guarantee you won’t have a car problem but it does shift the odds strongly in your favor.

When a car has a breakdown, most of us assume it’s an unexpected event. Truth is, as with anything mechanical, if it’s not properly cared for, breakdowns are normal. A factory has a maintenance staff to look after its equipment because management knows machines will break. A non-functional machine is a liability for the company. No one is making money on the machine when it’s idle.

A vehicle is a machine that provides transportation. When a punch press at a factory breaks, no one has to call a tow truck and no one is stuck on the side of the road. When your car breaks, there’s a good chance your away from home and you will need a tow.

Denny Norton, the owner of Ringwood based Performance Unlimited, wishes you a happy and safe holiday season.

Performance Unlimited is well known as the place to go for superior auto repair services. However, as their name implies, Performance Unlimited is also the top performer in McHenry County for folks who want their rides to go a bit faster, a bit quicker and with a bit more torque.

A walk through the shop at Performance Unlimited reveals some of the evidence that the mechanics in here know their way around a family car engine as well as a high performance power plant. Sometimes the classic Chevy Corvette over there, or the ’57 Chevy Nomad here, the 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner on the lift: these all stand as testimony to the superior knowledge and skill the mechanics at Performance Unlimited bring to the table.

But performance isn’t merely limited to the horses under the hood; performance starts where the rubber meets the asphalt. Classic car collectors frequently turn to Performance Unlimited for complete restorations because they know that, when Performance Unlimited is done with the project, the car will roll out of the show as pristine as the day it rolled off the assembly line.

Last year, Performance Unlimited offered a suspension and steering tech workshop for area racers and enthusiasts. As owner Denny Norton said at the time, “Your suspension and steering are at least as important as what you have under the hood. True racers consider all aspects of their racecars and look for every trick that can give them an edge.”

Of course, for those who only want their vehicles to bring them safely to and from work, the grocery store, picking up children from school and other travels of life, Performance Unlimited is equally adept at providing peak performance, from optimal gas mileage, to reliability and the long life of their cars, for every day drivers.

So, whether you’re looking to cut your lap time at the track or you just want to make sure the car is ready for taking the family on vacation this summer, Performance Unlimited is the answer.

Officially, winter is not over yet. Unofficially, though we’ve had a relatively mild version so far this season, in Northern Illinois and McHenry County, there is no guarantee we won’t feel winter’s full wrath before long.

With the short days and gloomy skies, our head lights are used with greater frequency this time of year. As the fine mist of dirt and road salt covers our vehicles in a gray haze that blends into the color of the asphalt we drive on, even our taillights and other illuminated signals have increased importance. Night or day, it’s good to be seen.

Most vehicles are equipped with subtle hints to let you know if one of your signal lights isn’t working; your flashers may stop flashing, for instance. Usually, we’ll notice if one of the headlights is no longer illuminating the road ahead. Still, “I didn’t notice the bulb had burned out,” is not an excuse that carries much weight with many of the law-enforcement persuasion.

A regular check of your signals and lights is a good idea. And, don’t be afraid to ask your mechanic to check them out for you when you have the oil changed or otherwise bring your car in for maintenance or repairs. A quick check of the lights and signals is something your mechanic should do as a matter of course when your car comes in to the shop.

In terms of your headlights, that they’re working is only part of the equation. It’s also important that they’re properly adjusted. A headlight that veers into oncoming traffic could bring a blinded driver into your path of travel. It will also fall short of providing the visual assistance you’re looking for while driving on a darkened road.

At Performance Unlimited, we’ll make sure that you’re seen and that you can see under almost any driving conditions. And, when the conditions surpass your ability to see and be seen, we recommend that you pull over for a cup of Joe somewhere until the weather clears.

If the hyperlinks in the text above are not working in your version of this document, you can cut and past the following URL: Performance Unlimited – http://www.4performanceunlimited.com. To contact Performance Unlimited by phone, call (815) 728-0343.

Cars now days don’t require a tune-up as often as their ancestors did. Each vehicle is different. Check with your owner’s manual or mechanic to see what’s specific to your car. Of course, if the car isn’t running smoothly, gas mileage has dropped or you notice any other abnormalities in the way it drives, it’s time to bring the car in to a trusted auto-repair shop.

Spark plugs are now designed to last up to 100,000 miles. That doesn’t guarantee, however, that they’ll operate at peak performance for the duration of that period. In fact, if the car wasn’t properly tuned earlier, or is otherwise out of adjustment, the wear and tear on spark plugs can increase dramatically.

Other aspects of a tune up include checking and/or replacing the ignition wires, the fuel filter, the pvc filter, adjusting the fuel injectors or carburetor and the timing. A good mechanic will also take a look at your belts, hoses, vacuum lines and other engine parts to ensure you won’t find yourself on the side of the road looking for a tow a few miles later.

A car that is properly tuned will get better gas mileage, run more reliably and will last longer than a car that is out of adjustment. All of these factors can save the consciences driver more money in gasoline, repairs, early replacement of the vehicle and the cost of towing and taxicabs.

When bringing your car in for a tune up, make sure you use a qualified mechanic. Denny Norton, at Performance Unlimited, 5415 Austin Court, Ringwood, said it’s best to use a certified mechanic.

“Our mechanics are ASE certified and consistently take courses to stay on top of the latest changes in automotive technology,” he said. “That’s a commitment we feel our customers deserve. If your auto-repair shop hasn’t made that same commitment, I’d recommend that you look for a qualified mechanic to keep you on the road.”

For more information about Performance Unlimited, visit www.4performanceunlimited.com or call 815-728-0343.

The auto repair technicians at Performance Unlimited, 5415 Austin Court, Ringwood, don’t know the meaning of down time. It seems they’re always busy. Of course, that’s the nature of the business for an auto repair shop with a long-standing reputation for superior workmanship and customer service.

The other day, a customer came in the door at Performance Unlimited and, as he handed his keys to owner Denny Norton, continued to the cozy waiting area beyond the front counter. Addressing the customer by his first name, Norton said, “Hello” and then apologized that there were a few cars ahead of him.

“That’s OK,” the customer said as he took a seat. “I’ll wait.”

Some things are worth waiting for and that includes quality auto repair services. Of course, Norton is always willing to drop off and pick up clients in the area when more extensive repairs are required. But, watching the interaction between Norton and his customers, it’s quickly apparent that his customers are completely at ease putting their vehicles in the skilled hands at Performance Unlimited.

Anyone who has spent some time at the auto repair shop, and has watched Norton and his staff interact with their customers, will agree that the relationships between Norton, his mechanics and his customers are based on mutual respect.

One can learn a lot about an auto repair shop by observing the clientele. At Performance Unlimited, the customers are as friendly as the staff. The customers know that Norton and his highly trained auto technicians have the customer’s best interest at heart. It’s a great way to do business and an equally wonderful way to make good friends.

For more information about Performance Unlimited, visit www.4performanceunlimited.com or call 815-728-0343.

You’re driving down the road somewhere in Illinois, maybe even Ringwood, Illinois, and you suddenly notice an amber light in the dashboard is burning brightly. Upon closer examination, you notice that it reads: Check Engine. No, you don’t have to panic. Depending on how your vehicle is otherwise operating, you may not even have to pull to the side of the road and call a tow truck to bring your car to a mechanic. But, a Check Engine warning light is something you don’t want to ignore.

When your car tells you to Check Engine, it’s a good idea to listen; it’s a good time idea to bring your car to a mechanic soon. A mechanic will diagnose the problem in fairly short order. A mechanic is trained to know what to do when the Check engine light comes on.

The Check engine light, which may appear as a small outline of an engine or with the actual words – “Check Engine” – comes on as an indication of a potential problem. It’s triggered by the onboard diagnostics system, or as your mechanic might put it, the OBD system. The OBD system regulates numerous aspects of your cars performance, including fuel mixture, timing, RPM and other factors that, when out of whack, will turn on your check engine light while also, possibly, affecting the way your car drives.

Of course, when your car tells you to Check Engine, you might also want to pay attention to anything else out of the ordinary – things you can tell your mechanic to give him or her an idea of where the problem lies. Has the car started to run sluggishly? Does it seem like the motor is running roughly? It’s possible the Check engine light will indicate something more serious that would require the immediate attention a mechanic. Then again, in some cars, a loose gas cap will trigger the Check engine light.

There are scan tools available to the general public that will diagnose the problem when the Check engine light comes on. However, a skilled mechanic is still a safe bet when dealing with such instances.

Another note about Check engine lights; if you live in an area that requires Vehicle Emission Testing, a Check engine light will indicate a condition that would cause your vehicle to fail – another good reason to bring your car to a mechanic ASAP. At Performance Unlimited, 5415 Austin Court, Ringwood, the mechanics will have you safely back on the road in no time.

For more information, visit www.4performanceunlimited.com or call 815-728-0343.