
Make your Service Visit at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta a Good One
November 26, 2023
Most people don't love going to get their vehicle serviced, but it's one of those things you just have to do. So you might as well get the most of out of it. There are some steps you can take that will likely help you get the best results possible. For one thing, it's important to describe your p... More

Wired! (Battery Cable Service)
November 19, 2023
Colder weather brings out the worst in a vehicle's battery. On a very cold day, you may have experienced that your engine cranks slowly when starting. But while it may be the battery itself, it may also be the parts that transfer the power to other the other electrical components, the battery c... More

Sparta, Illinois Winter Prep Service for Your Auto
November 12, 2023
When winter approaches in Illinois, Sparta residents break out the sweaters, coats, boots and mittens. We want to be ready for Illinois winter conditions. Your vehicle needs to be ready for winter as well. The last thing Sparta residents want is to get stranded out in the cold. You need your vehi... More

Chilly Warning (Diagnosing a Noise in Cold Vehicle)
November 5, 2023
When the weather gets colder, sometimes the noises your vehicle makes will change. For example, you may notice a whining sound when you get going in the morning. It may go away when the vehicle warms up, but it's best not to ignore that sound because it could be a warning of worse things to com... More

It Is Time to Check Your Intervals
October 29, 2023
Part of the engineering that goes into designing a vehicle is testing the components to ensure that they meet durability and safety standards. Because of this, manufacturers have a good idea as to how long the parts in your vehicle will last under normal driving conditions. For this reason, they... More

Going (Lug) Nuts (Lug Nut Replacement)
October 22, 2023
Here's a part of your vehicle you probably don't think about much: lug nuts. They're what fasten your wheels onto your axles. Pretty important, right? In order to take the wheels off your vehicle to service the brakes, rotate the tires, etc., the lug nuts have to be in good shape so a wrench wi... More

Prepare Your Windshield for Winter (Wiper Blades and Fluid for Freezing Temperatures)
October 15, 2023
Winter and freezing temperatures present challenges for different parts of your vehicles. For example, winter tires give you better traction on snow. But some parts of your vehicle that may need special attention for winter are your windshield wipers. You may have found yourself in the middle o... More

Hey Sparta Drivers: How Do You Save Gas?
October 8, 2023
Higher Sparta fuel prices aren't going away any time soon. That's not good news for our wallets. A lot of Sparta drivers are trying to find ways to cut down on fuel consumption and hang on to some of their hard-earned money.North Americans drive billions of miles less during months of high fuel p... More

Slippery When Wet (Driving on Wet Leaves)
October 1, 2023
When the leaves fall, you might take a sightseeing trip to see them at peak color. Or you may simply live in a spot where there are a lot of trees. When those leaves get wet, you'd be surprised to learn just how slippery they can be. We all know ice is slippery to drive on. What causes tires ... More

Recommended Service Intervals at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
September 24, 2023
Most people in the Sparta area are aware that automotive manufacturers have recommended service intervals. Following recommended service intervals is very important. The engineers that design our vehicles have tested the various systems and components to meet durability and safety standards. Some... More