There’s something about cruising on the open road – a kind of freedom you feel as the mile markers go by, local radio stations fade in and then fade out as they’re replaced by other local stations that track your route as the aural equivalent of mile markers. Whether you’re headed north, south, east or west – sometimes, it’s just great to get away. And, when you get back, folks will ask you, “So, how was your trip?” The last thing you want to tell them is about how you’re car broke down in Bliss, Idaho, where your experience was more expensive than blissful.

Consider the equation above if you have children in the car. “Are we almost there yet?” changes to “Is the car fixed yet?” Good thing you brought some games along to keep them occupied, right? That’s called being prepared, but only to a degree. Truly being prepared means doing what it takes to avoid unplanned roadside breakdowns.

Preparing for a road trip starts with making sure your vehicle is up to the task. And, this is the time of year when folks start thinking about road trips. If a part on your car can breakdown, it can breakdown on a road trip. The difference is the distance between you and a trusted auto repair shop, as well as your ability to wait while the repairs are done.

In terms of what you should check, here is a general list. Check these items yourself, if you’re inclined and up to the task. Otherwise, bring the car in to an auto repair shop where you know they’ll take good care of you:
•    A good place to start is where the rubber meets the road – your tires. Do they have any leaks? How much tread is left? You may not want to trust a tire that’s on its last leg for a long trip. Oh, and don’t forget to check the spare and the jack. You want to know you have all the necessary equipment to mount a good spare on the car if needed.
•    Moving in from the tires, how are the brakes? This is a vital consideration with any trip near or far. However, if you’re headed towards any mountains, know that you’ll seriously test your brakes going up and down those inclines.
•    How’s your steering and suspension? Last month, many auto repair shops had specials on shocks, struts, steering and suspension parts. It’s that way every year because auto repair shops know that April has, generally, taken us safely through another winter and winter is hard on shocks, struts, steering and suspension parts. If you break a tierod in Bliss, Idaho, better hope they’ve got access to the part. You might find yourself waiting for the part to arrive before they can even start on the repair work.
•    If the transmission is otherwise working well, there’s not much to do other than check the transmission fluid unless, of course, you’ve done a good job of maintaining your transmission and having the fluid and/or filter changed on schedule. If so, you might want to do that again before hitting the road.
•    Just as the brakes are critical when you want to stop, the engine is critical when you want to go. Ask yourself when you last had a tune up, if the coolant is good, the hoses and belts are healthy, the battery is strong and the charger is charging. Then, when all of those factors are taken care of, have the oil changed.
•    You’ll also want to make sure your wipers are in good condition and that you have plenty of windshield washer solvent.

Other than preparing your vehicle, you’ll want to make sure you have a cell phone and a DC cell phone charger in the car. Yes, you may run out of your provider’s telephone coverage area, but maybe not. And having a working phone when you breakdown can change the entire equation.

Finally, bring maps, snacks, drinks, blankets, road flares and anything else you’ll need to ensure your safety and comfort. Oh, and don’t forget the games. Even if you don’t breakdown, you may want to play a game or two in your hotel room at the resort.

The ad for new tires says $55. That’s not too bad, though four times $55 is $220. Then you have the other associated fees that run the price even higher – new valve stems, mandatory disposal fees for the old tires, etc. Oh, and did you notice the part of the ad where it reads “Starting at …” What does that mean?

What that means is that $55 is for tires a little bigger than those on the wheelbarrow you used this weekend working on the garden. Let’s suppose you drive a 2010 Chevy Avalanche LTZ. The standard tire on that vehicle is a 275/55R20. The same place that offered tires starting at $55 charges $129 for the cheapest tire they have for your car. And, if you buy the cheapest tire, expect to feel the difference in the way it rides and handles. In fact, expect to replace it sooner than you would a better tire.

So, what would you pay for a better tire from that location? The top selling tire this big box store offers is $226. That’s more than the cost of four of the baby tires at the starting price. In fact, you’re talking $1,000 just for the tires.

What this all comes down to is that where the rubber meets the road is a costly proposition. It means that, if you can do anything to extend the life of your tires, it’s probably well worth the effort. So, what can you do to keep your tires in good condition longer?

•    The first thing you can do is to keep them properly inflated. You’ll find the recommended air pressure for your tires in your Owner’s Manual. That specification will not only help your tires to last longer, it will ensure that you have the best possible handling and braking ability in the process.
•    The next thing you can do is to ensure that your front end steering and suspension parts are in good condition. Worn parts in these categories tend to spread to additional worn parts in these categories and that includes causing additional wear on your tires. Of course, there’s also the not-so-minor issue of safety when your steering or suspension is defective.
•    Get an alignment. This is one of the most cost-effective things you can do to extend the life of your tires. And, after a winter in the McHenry County area, your car almost assuredly needs an alignment. An annual alignment is a good way to extend the life of your tires, as well as your suspension and steering parts. An alignment ensures that your vehicle steers properly and can even improve gas mileage.

Of course, the folks at the box store are more than happy to sell you a set of tires. Here at Performance Unlimited, we’ll put a new set of tires on your vehicle, too. However, we’d much rather do the cost-effective auto repairs and maintenance that will make your car safer while extending the life of your tires.

You’re used to seeing road along this stretch. Today, however, you see water instead. You slow to a stop as you contemplate the million-dollar question – “Can I drive through this water?”

When water covers the road, as is the case recently with heavy rains, we occasionally find ourselves faced with the question above. It’s terribly inconvenient when the road is blocked. We come to depend on a particular route to go from home to the office, to the store or to visit friends. When the road is covered in water, the last thing we want to do is to backtrack to a detour. Why not just get up a good head of steam and plow right through?

Why not plow right through? Because you might not make it through. And, if it’s convenient to use a detour, consider how inconvenient it can be if your vehicle is stuck in the middle of rising water. How do you get to dry land no less to your destination? In fact, depending on the storm conditions, have you put yourself and others in the vehicle in danger?

Sometimes, authorities will block off a road due to flooding. But, weather can move with greater speed than police or emergency personnel can always keep up with. You may have to make that judgment call yourself. Considering the potential problems, you may want to error on the side of caution. That means, in spite of any inconvenience, even if you’ll be late for an important meeting, you may want to find another route rather than try to ford a temporary lake that was deposited on the highway (ford, as in to cross a river or stream as opposed to the car maker – even if you drive a Ford, that doesn’t mean it has superior fording capabilities).

What can happen if you decide to drive through the water:

•    You could make it through and go on your way, or …
•    Driving at a higher rate of speed, you could lose control of your car. At speed, you vehicle can hydroplane causing you to lose control of your steering. Worse yet, in little more than a foot of water, you could find your car floating and going anywhere the water wants to take it.
•    Your brakes could fail. Automotive braking systems are remarkable and made to drive in virtually all kinds of weather conditions. However, they’re not made to operate on submarines. In other words, sink your brakes in a foot or more of water and may try to operate your brakes outside of their design limits.
•    The engine could stall. If the water is high enough, it could enter the engine from the intake or could create backpressure by clogging the exhaust. In either case, you’re now looking at more than an aquatic tow to get your vehicle out of the water, but you’re also looking at an auto repair bill, too.
•    You could crack your catalytic converter. That converter operates at a high temperature. Get an egg hot and drop it in a bowl of cold water and watch what happens. You’re looking at the same principle with your car’s catalytic converter.
•    It can damage the electronics and wiring in your car. These are not made for submersion and tend to take that much water badly.

OK, so you’ve weighed the risks and you’re still thinking about driving through the water; now what should you do?

•    First of all, try to gauge the depth of the water. This is a good time to reconsider your decision. Remember, the safest way to go through water on the roadway is to go another way. If the water is moving, GO ANOTHER WAY. Water current is deceptively powerful. Moving water can literally carry your car off the road and into the ditch, river or lake that is adjacent to the road.
•    Next, if you’re still determined, put the vehicle in low gear and drive slowly. This will help you maintain control of the vehicle as you drive. Assuming your assessment of the depth of the water was accurate, you shouldn’t have any trouble. Of course, that’s a big ‘IF’.
•    Stay towards the middle of the road. Roads are sloped down at the sides. That means the shallowest water is at the center. If you can’t see the road, that’s a pretty good indication it’s too deep. Not to be redundant, but you may want to find another route.
•    It’s best to go through standing water one vehicle at a time. Considering the potential loss of control or brakes, this concept is rather obvious.
•    Make sure your cell phone is charged, just in case you were wrong (the mere idea of this suggestion may prompt you to go back to the first point in this list).

These are all good tips in terms of driving through water. And yet, year after year, people strand and damage their vehicles trying to drive through water that is too deep. Worse yet, in incident after incident, rescuers are captured on television risking their lives to save someone who made the wrong choice when faced with driving through water or going another way.

Those are usually the cases that have a happy ending. There are plenty of other cases that don’t turn out so well.

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


At Performance Unlimited, we hope all of you stay safe regardless of what Mother Nature may throw our way.

If you don’t drink and drive, if you don’t text and drive, you’ve reduced two of the major factors that, as a result, could find you in an accident. Of course, there’s always the question of whether the ‘other’ driver was drinking or texting. Still, considering that somewhere around half of all auto accidents occur because of impaired driving, this is a significant way to improve your odds.

Another major cause of accidents is driver error. You don’t see the red light or you don’t check your blind spot before switching lanes: those are just a couple of ways that driver error can land you in trouble. Once again, you have to ask, what about the other driver, too?

Most likely you know better than to drink and drive. You’ve heard enough about accidents that occur because someone was busy texting instead of driving. You’re fastidious about paying attention when you drive. You’re constantly on your toes watching what other drivers are up to. Does this mean you’ll never have an accident? Unfortunately, it doesn’t mean that. What it means as that you’ll seriously reduce the odds of having an accident.

Accidents caused by weather conditions are related to accidents caused by drive error; as an effective driver you’ll adjust your driving appropriately for conditions. But, once you get behind the wheel, the final category of accident virtually takes destiny out of your hands – mechanical failure.

Yes, there is something you can do to avoid accidents caused by mechanical failure, at least from the perspective or your vehicle. You still have to watch out for the other driver but, if you stay on top of your vehicle’s mechanical condition, once again, you’ve reduced the odds of an accident. That doesn’t mean something couldn’t break but the chances are dramatically diminished.

Slightly more than one-in-10 accidents are caused by mechanical failure. A car is a complex mechanical devise with numerous mechanical apparatus that must work right when called upon. For many of the parts involved in the operation of a car, failure is potentially catastrophic. In other words, if something breaks while you’re driving, you may not be able to avoid an accident.

Here are some of the features of a car that, if defective, could cause an accident:
•    Tire Failure: Flat tires often occur while driving. When one tire goes flat handling often goes to pot. The faster you’re driving when a tire goes flat, or you have a blowout, the harder it is to maintain control of the vehicle.
•    Bad Brakes: It’s really not necessary to explain why brakes are important. If you want, or need, to stop and the breaks don’t work well enough you’re in a pickle. The last thing you want to do is find out your brakes aren’t up to the task as you’re slamming down on the pedal trying to avoid an accident. This is all the more true if you have precious loved ones in the vehicle with you.
•    Worn or Damaged Front End and Steering Parts:  If any of your suspension or steering parts are worn or damaged they could cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Additionally, when one part is worn it usually effects other parts causing them to experience excessive wear or breakdown.
o    Ball Joints
o    Control Arms
o    King Bolts, Bushings and Shims
o    Alignment Products
o    Sway Bar Kits and Bushings
o    Idler Arms and Pitman Arms
o    Tie Rod Ends and Sleeves
o    Center Steering and Drag Links
o    Coil Springs
o    Control Arm Shafts
o    Other Suspension Parts
(If your vehicle needs any of the parts listed above, Performance Unlimited, Ringwood, is offering significant discounts on the parts – to learn more, visit: www.4Performanceunlimited.com or call 815-728-0343).

There are other factors that can cause an accident, such as:
•    Impaired vision (your wipers or defrosters are not working properly)
•    Loose lug nuts on your wheels or faulty wheel bearings
•    Improperly tuned or damaged engine or transmission (there are times when you need to get up and go, just as there are times when you need to stop)
Accidents are potentially life changing, or even life ending. Nothing good comes of an accident – they’re universally better to avoid, if possible. Doing all you can to avoid accidents starts with maintaining your vehicle in prime operating condition before you start to drive.

The parts covered include the following NAPA parts*:

• Ball Joints
•  Control Arms
• King Bolts, Bushings and Shims
• Alignment Products
• Sway Bar Kits and Bushings
• Idler Arms and Pitman Arms
• Tie Rod Ends and Sleeves
• Center Steering and Drag Links
• Coil Springs
• Control Arm Shafts
•  Other Suspension Parts

“Hey Cal, what’s with the long face?”

The other day I had a dream. It was April 1. We all know the significance of that date – the one day each year where we celebrate the practical jokers among us.

In my dream, I ran into an old friend I hadn’t seen a long time. He appeared anything but happy, hence the question above.

When I asked the question, Cal walked over to his car and said, “Watch this.” With that, he shoved down on the fender. He held it down for a couple seconds and then suddenly let it go. The fender sprung up traveling right past its original position. Then, it fell back down past that spot only to spring up and down again several times.

“Whoa, that’s not good,” I said. “I think you need some new shocks there buddy.”

“No kidding, Sherlock,” Cal said.

“Well, I mean that’s really bad, Cal,” I said, trying to ignore his sarcasm. “You should have done something about that in March.”

Shall we say the look on Cal’s face spoke volumes.

“I suppose you’re going to tell me about the Buy-2-get-2-free deal at Performance Unlimited* in Ringwood,” he said.

“Well, now that you mention it …”

“You also realize that deal ended yesterday?”

“Well, yes I …”

“Oh, well thank you so much,” Cal said, his voice again dripping with sarcasm. “Maybe you’d like to shove a sharp stick in my eye, while you’re at it.”

I was in the midst of apologizing when I woke from my dream. I lay on the bed a couple minutes before I suddenly jumped up and grabbed my phone. I called Cal and said, “Hey Cal.”

Surprise in his tone, Cal said, “Wow, long time. How have you been?”

“I’m OK,” I said. “But, that’s not why I called.”

“Oh, what’s up?” Cal asked.

“Do me a favor, will you?” I asked.

“If I can,” he said.

“Check your shocks today, OK?” I asked. “On your car – check to make sure your shocks are good.”

There was a long pause before Cal said, “This is something you feel strongly about?”

Now it was my turn for a long pause, realizing how strange this must sound. Finally, I said, “Well, yeah, if you don’t mind.”

After I told Cal about the dream and about the deal on shocks and struts at Performance Unlimited, he laughed and said, “OK, Bub, I’ll check my shocks today, just to make you happy.”

As we were about to hang up, I heard Cal ask, “So, have you check your shocks and struts?”

“Good idea,” I said, surprised that I hadn’t thought of that.

* The 4-for-the-price-of-2 offer on shocks and struts from NAPA is good through the end of March and does not apply to labor. Expect to wait two to three weeks to receive your reimbursement in the mail.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment to have your shocks and struts checked, call Performance Unlimited at 815-728-0343 or visit www.4performanceunlimited.com.

The Midwest is not kind to your car’s shock absorbers, particularly in the winter. Snow, ice, salt and cold temperatures conspire to pockmark the roadways leaving nasty potholes everywhere as though we had an infestation of gigantic moths chewing at the asphalt and concrete.

While one individual solution would be to move south where the winters aren’t as harsh, as long as we’re here, and since this winter’s damage is generally done, it’s probably a good idea to check your shocks about now.

Another good reason to check your shocks now is that, this time of year, there are always good specials on shocks. For instance, Performance Unlimited in Ringwood is offering a 4-for-2 Special, along with NAPA Auto Parts. You merely pay for four and then send in for a reimbursement of the price of two. The deal is good for struts, too.

“The folks at NAPA know that this is the time of year when people often discover they need new shocks or struts,” said Denny Norton, the owner of Performance Unlimited. “Deals like this make life a little easier on the pocketbook of drivers.”

Norton pointed out that, just because winter is about to come to a close doesn’t mean every car on the road needs shocks. He said that most shocks should last close to 100,000 miles, though that figure is reduced based on road conditions and driving habits. Therefore, it’s important to check your shocks before you unnecessarily replace them.

“Drivers can bring their cars in and we’ll check their shocks for them or, if they’re coming in for an oil change or other service, we can check their shocks while we’re working on their car,” Norton said. “On the other hand, people can check their shocks themselves and get a pretty good idea if they need to replace them.”

To check your own shocks or struts, Norton described the following procedure:

• On each corner of the car, push the car down several inches
• Hold the car there for a moment and then, suddenly, release
• Observe how the car reacts. If the car moves smoothly back to its original position and stops, your shocks or struts are probably in good shape. If the car jumps up and bounces, it’s almost certainly time for new shocks or struts.

When replacing front shocks or struts, it’s a good idea to have your front end alignment checked. You might even want to have your tires rotated and rebalanced while you’re at it. Even if your shocks or struts are still good, potholes may have knocked your alignment out of whack. Bad alignment will affect the way your car handles and will increase wear and tear on tires and your suspension.

Bad shocks and struts will also adversely affect the wear and tear on your chassis and tires.

“Bad shocks put stress on other suspension parts,” Norton said. “Whatever you pay for the shocks, there is a good chance you’ll pay more for additional repairs if you wait too long to replace bad shocks or struts.”

The 4-for-the-price-of-2 offer on shocks and struts from NAPA is good through the end of March and does not apply to labor. Expect to wait two to three weeks to receive your reimbursement in the mail.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment to have your shocks and struts checked, call Performance Unlimited at 815-728-0343 or visit www.4performanceunlimited.com.

Sure, the auto repair shop you recommended does a great jog repairing and maintaining the family car but I need someone who can help with my company’s fleet of trucks. What about that?

Not all auto repair shops are the same. How many mechanics do they have? Do they have the capacity to handle a fleet of vehicles?

Of course, even before you ask those questions, you’ll want to make sure the auto repair shop has the reputation you’re looking for in terms of quality service, as well as timely service. You want to know if they stand behind their service and repairs.

“Working for a customer with a fleet of vehicles is different than working with one customer,” said Denny Norton, the owner of Performance Unlimited in Ringwood. “With a fleet of vehicles, they really depend on their auto repair shop to help them make sure they stay up to date on each vehicle’s maintenance schedule.”

Fleet vehicles can sometimes face a rougher service life, too. Face it, the person behind the wheel doesn’t own the vehicle. Quite often, he or she will not bring the same attitude to maintaining or caring for the vehicle that they might to their own car.

When you consider the cost of a vehicle that is unavailable because it needs repair or maintenance, Norton said it’s essential that they get the cars in and out quickly.

“Still, if the auto repair shop doesn’t do the job right, you’re not helping them at all,” he said. “Either they’ll have to bring it back to you to do it again or they’ll break down on the side of the road and really have a problem.”

Additionally, with all the miles generally travelled by fleet vehicles, Norton said it’s crucial that the vehicles are in safe operating condition. The odds of an accident increase for every mile that you drive. While a personal vehicle may cover 20,000 miles per year, a fleet vehicle may do twice that amount.

The key is whether the auto repair technicians truly have the experience and training to do the job right. Norton said that, at Performance Unlimited, their auto repair technicians are well trained and have a wealth of experience. Additionally, they all take on-going classes and attend seminars to stay at the top of the technological wave in the world of auto repair and maintenance. Any shop that can’t say the same thing is probably not where you want to bring your family car, no less your fleet of vehicles.

“As a businessman myself, I know what it takes to stay in business,” Norton said. “That means I know the challenges my clients face, too. I know that a well-maintained fleet of vehicles is imperative to their success and that they can’t have anymore down time than is absolutely necessary. We work with our clients to make sure their vehicles are on the road when they need them.”

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

I’ve always said that having a good auto repair shop where you can bring your car is only second in importance to having a good family doctor you can trust. An undependable auto repair shop can leave you stranded on the side of the road somewhere someday. Additionally, if you can’t trust your auto repair shop, how do you know when they’re digging too deeply into your pocket? You don’t.

Considering how much money you have invested in your car, as well as the cost of maintenance and repairs, who wants to cross their fingers and hope they’re getting a good deal when they bring their car into the shop?

I’ve brought my car to Performance Unlimited since 2009. That’s when I met owner Denny Norton. I had an immediate sense that this was someone who put business ethics before profit. That’s the essential first ingredient I look for in an auto repair shop; can I trust them?

The second essential ingredient is experience based knowledge of their profession. I’ve discovered that Norton and his staff are top-notch auto repair technicians. They know their way around a car the way a Hall of Fame quarterback knows his way around the backfield. In fact, Norton and his staff attend regular classes and seminars to ensure that they are up to date on the latest technology in the field.

I remember, some years ago, I had found an auto repair shop I felt good about. When I sold my car and bought a Volkswagen GTI, it had a problem with the brakes scraping. I brought it in to my trusted auto repair shop and left it over night. The next day, I paid what appeared to be a reasonable bill and took the car. I didn’t make it halfway down the block before I realized the car was still making the noise.

I brought car back and left it again. I picked it up again and it still made the noise. I left it again. Finally, after their third chance to fix the problem, and the problem persisted, I found a shop that specialized in Volkswagens. The auto repair technician there knew what the problem was when I explained what it was doing.

“You need to reset the emergency brake when you do a brake job,” he told me.

What I learned is that not all auto repair technicians are experts with all cars. What I’ve found with Performance Unlimited is that they’re as adept in repairing my father’s Lincoln, the Ford I sold last year or my current Dodge with the Mitsubishi engine. Before I purchased that car, as I considered what car to buy next, I checked with Norton: “Are you guys as good with Volkswagens and other cars.”

The answer was, “Absolutely.”

Toyotas, Volvos, BMWs, Jaguars: cars from any continent are equally at home when the auto repair technicians at Performance Unlimited are on the job. For me, knowing I’ve got Performance Unlimited ready to help if my car needs repairs or maintenance means that I have one less thing to worry about.




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

There’s not much that I like about winter. I don’t snowmobile or ski. If I want to ice skate, I can do that at the Crystal Ice House in Crystal Lake, and they have ice year round. I enjoy driving but even this is less of a pleasure in the winter.

What’s wrong with driving in the winter? How about having to clean snow and ice off your windows before you go anywhere? How about the slush and salt spray that coats your vehicle in a gray haze? Oh, and then you have the other drivers who either panic at the sight of snow and drive 20 mph below what is required by conditions or the 4-wheel driver who thinks his truck is invincible and tries to prove it by tailgating in the most horrendous driving conditions.

For all these reasons, driving in the winter just doesn’t seem to hold the same appeal as driving on a nice, sunny summer day. Once in a while, however, winter throws a curve. Such was the case about a week ago after we had a small winter storm. I was driving down Bull Valley Road between Woodstock and McHenry and came across the most amazing sight.

The winter spectacle that greeted my eyes was incredible. As though Mother Nature had carefully painted each branch of each tree to match a blanket of snow on the ground, the world was transformed into a thing of wonder.

My first thought was, “Boy, I wish I had my camera.” Then it occurred to me, “I do have my camera.”

Reaching to the backseat, I pulled out my Nikon, popped off the cap and snapped some shots without looking through the lens as I drove (I figured I’d better keep my eyes on the road while driving). A couple times, I stopped and snapped a particularly nice shot.

I tried, with limited success, to take pictures without other cars in the frame. I wanted shots focused on nature’s scenery.

If my timing was a little better, I’d have come upon this scene before dozens of cars had transformed the white blanket on the pavement into a dark gray slush. But, the scene was inspiring all the same and I’ve shared one of those photos here for you today.

I believe that driving in the winter is more often a matter of necessity than in the summer. Scenes, such as these, however, remind me that driving in the winter does have potential benefits, too. Of course, I drive in the winter with confidence because I’ve done a good job of maintaining my vehicle. For that, I rely on Performance Unlimited, the auto repair shop in Ringwood, to keep me safely on the road.

In a way, I have the outstanding auto repair technicians at Performance Unlimited to thank for the opportunities to drive through a winter panorama such as the one I saw on Bull Valley Road the other day. And I can also thank them that, when I drive in the winter, I do so with confidence because I know my car is well cared for and ready for the season.

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