Winter's Coming

Gus Philpott
Woodstock Advocate
October 12, 2008

It's hard to believe that winter could be right around the corner. I finally caught up with car care this week-end and washed and waxed both the bug and the motorcycle.

If you have been putting off buying the new tires or thinking that you might be lucky and just get through "one more" winter on the old set, may I urge you to re-think that idea? Get out there and check the tread depth. Look for wear on the edges - an indication of need for an alignment.

Proper air pressure in the tires and good alignment will help you with gas mileage on the ol' buggy. Don't let yourself be lulled by the gas price at $3.29/gal. Certainly, it's a whole lot better than the $3.99/gal. of just a month ago.

And don't forget that tune-up that you have been putting off. Or the radiator flush and refill. Or the new windshield wipers.

Or maybe just stop over at the dealer and trade the ol' buggy in?

But would you believe $2.62/gal. in Mattoon, Ill.? What??? Or $2.75/gal. in Peoria. Well, we are still getting ripped off here in northern Illinois!

Often, I wonder just what it would take to get "good" gas prices here in northern Illinois. Obviously, we can't drive down to Mattoon to fill up. And it certainly doesn't cost "more" to haul the gas up here to McHenry County. Is the whole difference local taxes? Or just price gouging?