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.