
Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta Advice on Buying New Tires
December 26, 2021
Today's tires and wheels offer a lot of options for every Sparta driver's style, habits and driving conditions.Tires are designed for high-performance in winter or summer and even come in a long-wearing variety for all Illinois seasons.Sparta off-roaders should be excited about the options avail... More

Road Trip: Be Ready for Anything with a Trip Inspection at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
December 19, 2021
Road trip, anyone? Nothing spoils a great vacation faster than ending up stranded on the side of the road or spending a week in a rundown motel while our vehicle sits in the shop. Long days on the road can bring out the worst in your vehicle, so before you leave, prepare it for the journey by ge... More

Have a Ball! Know your Ball Joints (Ball Joints)
December 12, 2021
We all have joints in our own skeletal system, but did you know your vehicle has some joints of its own? One of the most important is called a ball joint. One of the interesting things is that it's somewhat similar to the ball and socket joints we have in our hips and shoulders. A ball joint all... More

Clean Slate (Protecting Vehicle's Finish)
December 5, 2021
Winter is one of the hardest times to keep your vehicle clean. But did you know neglecting to wash your vehicle in winter could cost you a significant amount of money in the long run? Here's why. Many areas deal with snow and ice in the winter, and the salt and sand that are used to keep the road... More

QUIET TIME (Listening for Vehicle Problems)
November 28, 2021
Everybody's got friends like this. You know, the kind who, the minute they get in their vehicle and turn the key, the sound system is deafening. They just love to hear that music, sports, news anything but the sound of the vehicle itself. And maybe you're that person, too. Here's something to ... More

Change is Good (Oil Change)
November 21, 2021
You've heard that expression, change is good. When it comes to your vehicle's oil, change is not only good, it's vital for the health of the engine. But there's one question that puzzles many drivers: how frequently should my vehicle's oil be changed? There is not one simple answer, but here ar... More

On Board Diagnostics for Sparta Motorists
November 14, 2021
Some Sparta vehicle owners wonder why Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta and other Sparta auto repair shops charge a fee for vehicle diagnostics. Receiving a diagnostic charge at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta for a tricky automotive problem shouldn't be a surprise. In the Sparta area, automotive diagnostic... More

Motor Oil?The Synthetic Advantage (Synthetic oil vs Conventional)
November 7, 2021
Youve probably already heard that regular oil changes are extremely important for the health of your vehicles engine. Thats sound advice. But what you might not know is when it comes to motor oil, the real thing may not be the best thing for your engine. There are different types of motor oil: ... More

Losing Your Spark (Spark Plug Replacement)
October 31, 2021
When's the last time you thought about spark plugs? You probably don't remember. That's because spark plugs usually last a long time and don't need much attention. But they don't last forever, and when they start going bad, they'll send you a few clues. Vehicle is hard to start. Fuel economy ... More

Why People in Sparta Hesitate to Get Their Vehicle Serviced
October 24, 2021
A recent report stated that over 80 percent of the vehicles on our Sparta, Illinois, roads have one or more service or repair that's needed but hasn't been taken care of. Now that's a lot of undone service. That translates into something over 160 million vehicles in North America alone. Some of t... More