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
Fuel for Thought
September 17, 2023
If you're like most people and drive a gasoline-powered vehicle, you need to be up to speed on its fuel-related components. They're pretty basic: the fuel, the fuel filter and the fuel pump. The fuel's the easy part. You probably gas up your vehicle yourself and, if you're like most drivers, pr... More
Heat and your Tires (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)
September 10, 2023
With hotter weather and brutal heat waves becoming more common, the pressure in your vehicle's tires goes up. After all, heat causes air to expand, and the air in your tires follows the laws of physics. Overinflated tires can reduce your vehicle's traction, cause a hard, punishing ride and make ... More
Light's Out! Trouble Ahead (Exterior Light Bulb Service)
September 3, 2023
Whether or not your exterior light bulbs are all working probably is not at the top of your list when you think about your vehicle. But those exterior lights are more important than you think, and they're vital to your safety and that of other drivers near you. Headlights are important. Not onl... More
New School: Automotive Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta Technician Training
August 27, 2023
Sparta consumers are demanding. We want a safe, reliable vehicle that handles well and is comfortable to ride in. Oh, and we want good fuel economy, too. We also want vehicle repairs that are cheap, fast and easy. Unfortunately, one usually comes at the cost of the other.Today's vehicles have mad... More
Keeping Your Car Young in Sparta
August 20, 2023
As Sparta consumers, we live in a disposable society. It's amazing all the stuff we throw away.New stuff comes out so fast in Illinois, and much of it is fairly cheap, so we just toss the old and move on. It seems like when we were kids our parents were real sticklers about taking care of our stu... More
No Fueling! (Fuel Filler Location)
August 13, 2023
If you've ever gotten in an unfamiliar vehicle, maybe a rental car, you may have pulled up to the gas pump and wondered, "Which side is the fuel filler on?" Here's a tip for you. There is usually a little arrow on the instrument panel near the fuel gauge that points to the side where the fuel fi... More
Wipe Out! New Wiper Blades for Sparta Drivers
August 6, 2023
When people in Sparta talk about vehicle safety, they think of tires and brakes. But do we think about our windshields? Isn't the ability to see a prime safety factor when it comes to driving around Illinois? Yet we often don't even notice our windshields until we can't see through them or our w... More
How Your Check Engine Light Works
July 30, 2023
Have you ever had an experience like this in Sparta, Illinois? You drive through the one of those automatic car washes. When you get to the end, where the dryer is blowing, your Check Engine light starts flashing!You fear the worst, but within a block or two, the light stops flashing, but stays o... More