In 1982, Performance Unlimited celebrated its first Christmas since opening the doors for business. This year, the exemplary auto repair shop North of McHenry will celebrate its 40th Christmas in business.Christmas is a special time of year. At Performance Unlimited, they take a short break from helping their customers winterize their vehicles, along with repairs and other maintenance.This year, as

“What’s the big deal, the car still runs? All this fuss about changing the oil – oil schmoil. I know a guy who drove his car for a year without changing the oil. It seemed alright to me.” So says the uniformed car owner. You won’t hear any mechanics saying anything remotely close to this. They know better. And, if somehow you do find a mechanic who believes changing the oil is not all that

“Automotive air filters are overrated.” That makes as much sense as the airplane mechanic who says, “Wings are overrated.” Without those wings, that plane isn’t going to get off the ground. Unfortunately, you can drive without an air filter on your car, or with a very dirty air filter on your car. Either situation is not preferable.The air filter filters the air that mixes with gasoline as

How do avoid these excessive and costly automotive repair bills or breaking down unexpectedly on the side of the road somewhere while traveling miles from McHenry? The answer to both questions is simple – automotive maintenance. If you take care of your car it will take care of you. If you treat it badly and let it lapse into disrepair, don’t be surprised if the additional costs and unreliability

Of course, it’s a good idea to prepare your car for winter. The bitter cold, ice and snow in McHenry County will ferret out any weakness and play havoc with a vehicle. Summer, however, will also test a car. That’s why it’s also a good idea to prepare your vehicle for the summer ahead. Consider this your McHenry County Summer Automotive Survival Guide. Paying attention to the tips below will

A qualified auto tech will also check other fluids while changing your oil. Allowed to go long enough without an oil change, engine oil will fill with dirt and particles that, over time, will turn the oil into sludge.  In the process, detergent additives in the oil will breakdown and the oil’s ability to reduce heat, friction and damage between moving parts will dissipate. Long before that