A Sticky Brake Situation (Parking Brake Service and Maintenance)
February 27, 2022
We've all been there. You park your vehicle on a steeper than usual hill and worry about it rolling down while you're running your errands. So you decide you'll use the parking brake. When you get back, you release the parking brake, hit the ignition, put it in gear anduh, ohyou can feel the p... More
Busting Automotive Myths in Sparta, Illinois
February 26, 2022
Myths passed around our Sparta, Illinois community start with a grain of evidence and are then built up with a lot of imagination and very elastic logic. And the internet is a breeding ground for automotive myths. Some bloggers recall the vehicles of yesteryear and declare their modern decedents... More
Smart Sparta Drivers Protect Against Overheating
February 25, 2022
Engines get hot when they run. This heat can build up and damage vital engine parts, so engines need a cooling system to keep them running. Cooling system failure is the most common mechanical failure in vehicles. This is unfortunate, because these failures are usually easy for Sparta drivers to... More
Wheel Balancing at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
February 24, 2022
So you love your job, and your family life is great. Congratulations! You have achieved balance. But can you say the same for your wheels? Sparta drivers can tell if their tires are out of balance by vibrations at higher speeds on Illinois roads. If one of the front tires is out, you feel the vi... More
Ethics of Automotive Repair in Sparta
February 20, 2022
We're going to be talking about the ethics of automotive repair. It seems like news outlets really like hit-and-run reporting; they hit everyone from groceries stores to retail to physicians. And the Sparta automotive service and repair industry hasn't been given a pass either.Unfortunately, ever... More
Don't Do It Yourself (Perils of DIY Vehicle Repair)
February 13, 2022
Your vehicle is a complicated machine, and yes, it would be nice if you could take care of all of its problems yourself. There was a time when vehicles were simpler and it wasn't too hard for a weekend mechanic to replace brakes, adjust a carburetor or perform a tune-up. But vehicles are far mo... More
Upsizing Wheels and Tires With Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
February 6, 2022
Many Sparta drivers want to accessorize their vehicle - you know, make it theirs. One of the easiest ways to get a custom look is to get some new wheels. There are thousands of wheel designs at Sparta area tire shops to get you the look you want. And for many Sparta drivers, that look includes b... More