Maintenance on My Mind
February 5, 2023
Ask any Sparta man or woman if they've taken their vehicle in for preventive maintenance lately, and the answer may well be no. Surveys indicate that over 80% of vehicles on the road today are in need of some kind of repair or maintenance. Now, ask that same person why he hasn't taken his car in ... More
Busted: The Maintenance-Free Myth in Sparta
July 24, 2022
There's a segment of the Sparta area population that's not committed to proper vehicle maintenance. Now, the ignition system in your vehicle is electronic and controlled by the engine management computer. Spark plugs rarely get fouled and will last for as much as 100,000 miles (160,000 kilomete... More
Fall and Spring Inspection at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
July 10, 2022
Good vehicle care for us Sparta residents has always meant taking our vehicles in every spring and fall for a check-up. Vehicles needed routine maintenance to prepare them for the changes in weather. Today's vehicles aren't quite as sensitive to seasonal changes. Older vehicles required different... More
Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta and the Maintenance Mindset
March 20, 2022
When it comes to their vehicles, some Sparta residents don't have a maintenance mindset. They know they need to take care of their cars, but it just seems really hard to get them to remember to do it. Sparta drivers generally accept that many things in life require regular maintenance but just m... 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
The Maintenance Free Myth
January 23, 2022
Sometimes we hear people in Sparta say, "What's up with all this maintenance stuff? Modern cars just don't break down." While it is true that today's vehicles are extremely reliable, they are also becoming increasingly complicated and use more exotic materials than ever before. All that complexi... More
Don't Miss a Beat (Importance of Regular Maintenance)
July 4, 2021
In many places, license plates have to be renewed every year or else you can't drive your vehicle legally. Usually, you'll get a reminder from the agency that issues the plates. That kind of regular attention needs to be paid to your vehicle as well. Its manufacturer has determined a schedule o... More
Change Your Engine Air Filter at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
June 27, 2021
Many Sparta car owners have probably wondered: "What's the harm in putting off replacing an engine air filter? The answer is that not replacing it could cause your Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor to fail. This expensive sensor is situated between your engine air filter and your engine. Dirty air filt... More
Sparta Drivers Severe Service Maintenance Schedules
April 18, 2021
Since driving requirements and lifestyles differ among Sparta drivers, your vehicle manufacturer publishes two auto maintenance schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. Which schedule should Sparta drivers follow? Here are some questions to ask yourself:Are most of your tr... More
The Easy Way to Save Cash in Sparta
August 30, 2020
The hottest Illinois news story may be different every day, but there's one topic that seems to come up over and over again the price of gas in Sparta. If you feel like most of your paycheck goes into your gas tank, this post is for you. Here are several basic things people in Sparta can do to ... More