Back to all

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 stranded.

Smart Sparta drivers plan ahead for a major road trip – and there are a lot of things to get ready. Where should you start? You could start with the tires. Look them over for tread wear and check to see that they are properly inflated. Take a quick test drive around Sparta to see if you can feel any vibrations: Are the wheels in balance? Is the car tracking straight? Is the alignment ok? Come to Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta for a peace-of-mind trip inspection.

10 Northtown Drive
Sparta, Illinois 62286
618-443-6112
http://www.charliesfastlubesparta.com

The next thing is a full service oil change to make sure all of your fluids are topped off and you have fresh oil for the trip. And if your car has over 75,000 miles/120,000 km, you may consider putting in the high-mileage formulation to clean harmful sludge deposits in the engine. 

How about your transmission and brakes? Have you had your transmission and brakes inspected in the last six months?

How are your wiper blades? There's nothing like not being able to get rid of the bug juice on a long road trip away from Sparta.

Check your owner's manual for any other recommended services, and have Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta in Sparta do the multi-point inspection before you head out on your trip.

Consider also having the coolant system serviced at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta – you want to stay within the vehicle manufacture’s recommendations. If you're towing a trailer around Illinois you'll want to be keep in mind that you'll be going a long way under severe conditions.

A lot of Sparta drivers overlook severe conditions like towing, Illinois summer heat or driving on dirt roads. Plan ahead for your next road trip – Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta wants you to get there and back.

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta

Hitting The Brakes In Sparta

April 14, 2024

Hello Sparta, let's talk about brakes. But the mechanical aspects of the brakes themselves are just one issue. There's also the power brake pump and brake fluid. And then there are the tires, which are critical to the effectiveness of the brakes.Let's step back. A new vehicle or truck rolls of... More

Automotive Tips from Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta: Making Your A/C System Last Longer

April 7, 2024

Sparta drivers know that if their air conditioning system isnt making cool air like it used to, there is a problem. It may be as simple as adding more of the right kind of refrigerant.Your A/C requires special compressor oil, which circulates through the system along with the refrigerant, to lubr... More

Steering You Right (Tie Rod End Replacement)

March 31, 2024

For drivers, S stands for safety. And there are three other words that start with S that are all equally important: starting, stopping and steering. For your vehicle to be at its safest, all three functions must be in top shape. Steering is one of those things we take for granted. After all, y... More