Why a Trip Inspection Is a Good Idea
January 12, 2020
At Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta we get a lot of Sparta drivers asking about vehicle trip preparation. That's a big deal. You could be driving through mountains and deserts in some pretty lonely areas around Illinois, so it's important to know that the vehicle is up to the task and won't leave you ... More
Keys to a Long Lasting Vehicle
December 22, 2019
We live in a disposable society. Everything from elaborate packaging to our clothing. Even cell phones are disposable. When replacement is cheaper than repair, the term "built to last" goes by the wayside. An exception is our vehicles. They're still a very big investment and Sparta drivers want t... More
Your Vehicle Is NOT Maintenance Free, Sparta Car Owners
November 24, 2019
A generation ago, Sparta drivers seemed to be more inclined to keep their vehicle's preventive maintenance on schedule. One reason for this may be that vehicles back then were a lot less reliable than they are today. Taking your vehicle in to your Sparta shop every year or two for repairs seemed... More
Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta On Your Serpentine Belt
September 22, 2019
Today we're going to be talking about serpentine belts for our Sparta, Illinois, customers. Let's start by talking about the accessories that are driven by the serpentine belt. First is the alternator. That's the device that makes electricity to power the vehicle and recharge the battery. Then ... More
Technician Training at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
September 8, 2019
Your vehicle is important to you, and keeping it running properly is important to your lifestyle. That's why you're smart enough to have it serviced regularly at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta in Sparta. And even though it may just be routine maintenance, you want it done right by automotive profess... More
Following Recommended Intervals for Your vehicle
May 12, 2019
If you're reading this article in Sparta, Illinois, then you probably care about your vehicle and how it runs. Even though you care, there is still that moment of dread when your professional service advisor at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta tells you the manufacturer recommends some additional serv... More
Hold the Oil! (Oil Pan Gasket Replacement)
April 21, 2019
You've likely heard how important oil is to your vehicle's engine. Did you know that there's one part that's responsible for holding that oil so you can use it every day? It's called the oil pan, and it sits at the bottom of the engine. The oil pan is a vital, though simple, part of your engine's... More
Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta Maintenance Tips: The Belt Goes On
February 4, 2019
All Sparta service advisors know that without the alternator, the battery will go dead in a few miles. The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. And on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump. The water pump circulates coolant thro... More
Looking Down the Road - Headlamps
January 13, 2019
If you've ever been driving around Sparta and had a headlamp go out, you've probably just wanted to replace the bad bulb. If your car uses halogen headlamps, they dim over time. So if you just put in one, they won't have the same brightness, which can be distracting and will affect your field of ... More
Synthetic Oil for Sparta Autos
January 2, 2019
If you are a driver in Sparta and you aren't currently using synthetic motor oil in your vehicle, maybe now's the time to consider it. Need more information? Well, synthetic motor oil is a substitute for petroleum based oil. Synthetic oil doesn't gel or gum-up like petroleum based oil and it do... More