A Head Start on Starting (Battery Testing)
January 22, 2023
If your vehicle isn't starting or doesn't sound like it used to when you crank it, the culprit may be the battery. You may have left a light on, or something plugged into one of charging ports. Maybe you accidentally left your vehicle in the "on" or "accessory" position when you last got out. M... More
Sounds Like a Hot Rod (Noisy Exhaust System)
January 15, 2023
Driving along, your exhaust system's rumbling so loud that people turn and stare at you pass by. You're wondering when the police are going to pull you over for illegal noise. Your mind immediately thinks, aha! A broken muffler. Well, your exhaust system is composed of many more parts than just... More
Using Proper Fluids in Your vehicle
January 8, 2023
Today, Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta is writing about the proper fluids for your vehicle. It's become more complicated with changes in automotive design and manufacturing. It's not that people in Sparta are confused as much as they don't realize how much things have changed in recent years. If you ... More
Differential Service at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
January 1, 2023
Here at AutoNetTV, we have national viewers, like your neighbors in Sparta, who write to us with questions or feedback. One common question we're asked is: "What is a differential and what does it do?" You may have been told by your Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta service advisor that your differenti... More
The Best Book that's Not a Best-Seller
December 25, 2022
Sometimes the movie is better than the book, sometimes it's the other way around. But when it comes to your vehicle, the best book of all is the owner's manual. The plot is simple: Owner wants long life and dependable performance from the vehicle, manual has the way to achieve that long life and... More
Road Ready (Trip Inspection)
December 18, 2022
Maybe you've been cooped up for a while and are yearning for a change of scenery. Or maybe you need to visit a relative who lives far away. You choose not to fork out the big bucks for airline tickets, so it's time for a road trip. Make sure you're road ready by having your vehicle professiona... More
Your Vehicle's Hissy Fit (AC System)
December 11, 2022
When you hear hissing sounds coming from your vehicle, you might start thinking the worst. One type of hissing coming from around your air conditioner may be a normal sound, or it could be a sign of serious trouble. First - the normal sound. When you turn off your vehicle, the refrigerant goes... More
The Flat Fix that Fits (Tire Repairs)
December 4, 2022
Can you think of anyone who likes getting a flat tire? Of course not. But when one of your tires winds up with a flat or leak, whether it be from things like hitting a curb, running over a nail or picking up a sharp stone, it's time to have someone who knows what they're doing take care of it. ... More
Rear Window?Not the Movie! (Why Some Rear Windows Don't Go All the Way Down)
November 27, 2022
Alfred Hitchcock once made a mystery thriller film called "Rear Window." It had nothing to do with the rear window of today's cars, SUVs, CUVs and light trucks. But there is one thing that some drivers DO find mysterious. Why don't the rear windows in the second row of many of these vehicles go... More
In the Hot Seat (Repair and Maintenance of Seat Heaters)
November 20, 2022
It's chilly outside. You flip on that switch that looks like a picture of a seat with little heat waves rising from it. You expect soon you'll feel that warmth but wait! It's not getting warmer. Oh no, what's wrong with my seat heater? There could be lots of reasons it's not working, and it cou... More