What kind of winter will we have here in Northern Illinois and McHenry County? Some are predicting a harsh winter this year – bitter cold and lots of snow. Hopefully, they’re wrong. But, what if they’re right? Are you prepared? Is your vehicle prepared?

Preparation starts with having the right clothes and making arrangements for snow removal – either a good shovel and strong back, a snow blower or a contract for snow removal. Preparation, in terms of your automobile, is at least as important and probably more.

Some auto repair shops are aware of these concerns and are doing what they can to help car owners get ready for the winter ahead. Recently, Denny Norton, owner of Performance Unlimited, an auto repair shop in Ringwood, announced a Free Fall Charging System Check. He knows how important it is, on a bitterly cold day or night, to know that they car will start. But, there’s more to winterizing a car than just checking the charging system.

Car owners are also wise to check the cooling system as winter approaches. At a glance, that doesn’t seem to make sense – the cooling system? Yes, the cooling system. The fluid in the cooling system goes by two names – coolant and antifreeze. The two are one and the same fulfilling both jobs, if up to the task, with equal aplomb.

“The coolant cools the engine and helps to ensure it doesn’t overheat,” said Norton. “As an antifreeze, it ensures that it remains in a liquid state so it doesn’t harm the engine when it’s not running.”

If the coolant/antifreeze in an engine freezes, it can crack an engine block. Now the car owner needs a new engine. And, even on the coldest days, the coolant needs to cool an engine that’s running. Though it will take longer when the temperature is below zero outside, an operating engine can still reach dangerously high temperatures if the oil and coolant don’t work together to reduce and remove heat from the engine.

A Free Coolant/Antifreeze Check includes inspecting the radiator and ensuring the cooling system is operating correctly.

“We’re hoping, for drivers’ sake, for a mild winter,” Norton said. “But, if we have a rough winter, we hope everybody is ready.”

For more information about Performance Unlimited and their Free Cooling System Check, as well as their Free Fall Charging System Check, call 815-728-0343 or visit www.4performanceunlimited.com.