Fuel Injection Basics for Sparta

February 18, 2024

All modern Sparta vehicles come with fuel injection systems, so it's a topic Sparta drivers need to know something about. The mighty fuel injector is a valve that delivers the gas or diesel fuel to the right place, in the right amount at the right timeto be mixed with air and burned in the engine... More

How Do You Save Gas in Sparta, Illinois?

June 18, 2023

No one in Sparta, Illinois, likes to spend a chunk of change at the gas pump. Rising Illinois fuel prices, however, have spurred Sparta drivers to focus on how to improve their fuel economy. North Americans literally drive billions of miles/kilometers less each month during times of high fuel pri... More

Introduction to Diesels for Sparta, Illinois

May 28, 2023

Something you're going to be hearing a lot about around Sparta, Illinois, is diesel engines. We're not talking about semi-trucks and buses; we're talking about diesel engine cars, pick-ups and SUVs.Most people in Illinois are surprised to learn that around half the cars on the road in Europe have... More

Engine Air Filter from Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta

April 9, 2023

Many Sparta drivers have found themselves in the following situation: They go to get their oil changed and their friendly service advisor at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta recommends a new engine air filter. They say yes, but don't know what an air filter is or what it does.If this has happened to y... More

Service to Improve Fuel Economy

November 13, 2022

The price of gas in Illinois has got people in Sparta talking. It seems that Sparta folks who need a bigger vehicle to carry family and gear, or provide four wheel drive, are hit especially hard. That is why we thought it would be good to review some things that anyone can do to improve fuel eco... More

Fuel Saving Tip: Sparta Tune Up

October 2, 2022

Have you ever gone to listen to an orchestra? The musicians take the stage early and tune their instruments. Each individual instrument must be in tune, but the critical thing is for the entire orchestra to be in tune with each other. That's why they tune up together.Now this is no surprise; I'm ... More

How to Get Better Gas Mileage in Sparta

May 29, 2022

There is no escaping it: things work better when you take care of them. Something most of us in Sparta can relate to is our computers. You've probably noticed how they get slower and slower over time. It takes longer to start up and programs take forever to load. Eventually, many of us just get ... More

Direct Fuel Injection Update from Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta

May 1, 2022

For those of you in Sparta, Illinois who pay attention to these things, you may have been hearing about the new direct injection engines and want to learn more about them. Some deliver the power of a V8 with the economy of a V6.For example, in one family of engines the conventional V6 makes abou... More

Don't be Fuelish (Signs Fuel Pump is Failing)

January 9, 2022

A driver of a large SUV loaded with equipment was heading on a 7-hour work trip when he stopped at a gas station to refuel. When he went to restart his SUV, it turned over but wouldn't catch. Try as he might, he was never able to get it started again. Of course there are many things that can c... More

Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta Often Asked About Premium vs. Regular Gas

September 12, 2021

Sparta residents often ask the question: "Will using premium gas make my car run better?" The answer is simple. But first, let's talk about what exactly premium gasoline is.Different grades of gasoline have different octane ratings. Regular gasoline has the lowest octane rating and premium the h... More