Dinner was great as you and your wife gazed into each other’s eyes across a candlelit table while the blowing snow whirled and howled outside creating a spinning backdrop of white on black in the window. Now, as they lock the door behind you, it’s time to go home. At the car, you open and hold the door for her while you wonder how you were ever so fortunate. Then, you slide behind the wheel feeling

“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

Each year, the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its Annual Dinner Dance. The theme this year, on Saturday, Jan. 24, was “Chicago, All That Jazz.”  The event was a celebration of dining, dancing and live music. However, it was also an opportunity to celebrate some of the 2014 contributors in the Chamber.One such contributor was Denny Norton of Ringwood based Performance Unlimited. Norton

Have you noticed that your car doesn’t crank over as fast as it used to do when you turn the key to start the engine? Before, the starter turned so fast that the engine caught and started to run almost immediately. Now, when you turn the key, it sounds like the engine is soaking in a tub of molasses.Yes, the cold weather of winter has something to do with that. When it’s cold out, the oil is thicker.

A problem with either of these could stop you in your tracks. If a hose breaks or cracks, antifreeze/coolant will exit the cooling system. In rather short order, your car will overheat. Then, you’ll have a choice of pulling over to the side of the road or ruining your engine.On the other hand, if the belt that drives your alternator, power steering pump and water pump breaks, you’ll also want to

Several of the staff at the pizza restaurant were discussing the treacherous driving conditions the other day. Outside, the wind was howling and snow was swirling like a dervish unleashed. “I hit some black ice today,” the waitress said. “It was really scary.” “What is black ice?” someone asked.A delivery driver suggested that black ice is ice on the pavement that you can’t see. Another

“I’ve never intentionally gone out and purchased a set of snow tires,” he said. “Like most people, I buy all-season tires and I use them all year round. But, when I purchased my current vehicle, it turned out I also purchased a set of snow tires. That’s what was on it.” The Hankook Ice Bears that came with his car were an eye-opening experience or, at least, they were the first time

New Year’s Eve is approaching – potentially one of the best parties of the year. Lights, party hats, paper-and-colored-foil horns, glittering banners with “2015” splashed across the front, the dancing, the countdown and the kiss at the stroke of midnight: it’s all part of a great, big, wonderful celebration. And what would New Year’s be without a little bubbly?Of course, the fun is dampened

Mother surveyed the boxes of presents on the table, as well as a basket with cookies and pie. Out the window, as the darkness gave way to early morning light, she could see Father leading Sunshine, their Arabian mare, from the stable as the white-and-speckled horse pulled the buggy behind her.Mother worried the buggy was too small for the presents, the food, Father and herself. But, with the snow,

When was the first auto accident?Arguably, the first auto accident was in 1771 when Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot is said to have driven his steam-powered car into a wall. However, others claim it didn't happen.Another accident involving a steam-powered car occurred in Ireland in 1869. Mary Ward was thrown from the vehicle and then run over making her the first fatality from an auto accident.The first auto