With supply issues, new car sales have fallen.This may mean you'll have to keep your usedcar longer than you intended.New car sales dropped in 2020 with COVID and have yet to recover. But it wasn’t just the pandemic that brought on the slump in sales; access to the essential computer chips have reduced production of automobiles, at least complete production. If you drive past a new car dealer

January 17 is Benjamin Franklin’s birthday. But why bring that up in an automotive-related blog? Well, have you considered Franklin’s contribution to the automobile?Franklin died in 1788. That was long before Ford, General Motors or Chrysler brought automobiles to America’s roadways. Even in Franklin’s time, there was the odd steam-powered wagon, but these were hardly comparable to what we

When winter blows into McHenry it’s often brutal. It’s hard on people. It’s hard on their homes. And it’s hard on their cars.What can you do to protect your car from the McHenry winter of 2021-22? While you may feel that you’re at the mercy of weather conditions that’s not entirely the case. No, these isn’t much you can do about making the snow stop, or keeping the temperature from plummeting.

Do you ever find yourself struggling to choose a New Year’s Resolution? You’ve done the fitness center resolution several times but that’s getting a little tired. How ‘bout a New Year’s Resolution that will put money in your pocket? Resolve to maintain your car, truck or SUV in tip-top condition.Auto maintenance is the kind of thing that, if you don’t stay on top of it, it can get away

More than when we welcomed in 2021 a year ago, folks are getting out and doing things in public today. We feel safer doing so now than we did then. It’s refreshing. It feels as though we’re rejoining the human race. But COVID isn’t the only hazard in the world.New Year’s Eve in McHenry is a wonderful time of the year. We all have hope for the year ahead. And why wouldn’t we? This might be

Christmas is a time for gathering with loved ones and enjoying the season. But, often, travel is required to get together with family and friends. Some of us will put on a mask and fly greater distances to celebrate Christmas. But many will load up the car and drive somewhere for the holiday.Which is it for you? Or will you stay home? Maybe, you’ll stay home while loved ones drive to your home. But,

 Your neighbors know when you are leaving. They know when you get back late.They know ‘cause your muffler's good and loud.So, replace it for goodness sake.Yes, if you’re muffler is failing, the neighbors can’t help but notice. People walking on sidewalks can tell. And folks in other cars turn up their radios so they can hear above the racket your car is making. But it’s not a calamity.

If you’ve winterized your car, truck or SUV you probably don’t need to worry about breaking down when you leave your McHenry home this winter. Of course, there’s no absolute guarantee. Things happen.You may hit something in the road and blow out a tire. Or, even with snow tires, you could hit a patch of ice too fast and slide into a ditch along a McHenry road. There are mechanical parts under

Changing your oil on schedule is the most important thing you can do to protect your investment in your automobile and that certainly applies during a Johnsburg winter.Winter poses an additional challenge to motor oil in terms of doing its job of lubricating the parts inside your vehicle’s engine. Without oil, the friction between parts within the engine will create so much heat that, in a short

“I've been drivin' all nightMy hand's wet on the wheel …”Headin’ home ThanksgivingFamily has special appeal.You may have a ways to go to get home to family in Wonder Lake this Thanksgiving. The mile markers will flip by one after another, but don’t focus on those; keep your eyes on the road. Stay alert. Stay focused.As you drive through the night, you want to be on top of your game. You want