Clean Slate (Protecting Vehicle's Finish)
December 5, 2021
Winter is one of the hardest times to keep your vehicle clean. But did you know neglecting to wash your vehicle in winter could cost you a significant amount of money in the long run? Here's why. Many areas deal with snow and ice in the winter, and the salt and sand that are used to keep the road... More
QUIET TIME (Listening for Vehicle Problems)
November 28, 2021
Everybody's got friends like this. You know, the kind who, the minute they get in their vehicle and turn the key, the sound system is deafening. They just love to hear that music, sports, news anything but the sound of the vehicle itself. And maybe you're that person, too. Here's something to ... More
Change is Good (Oil Change)
November 21, 2021
You've heard that expression, change is good. When it comes to your vehicle's oil, change is not only good, it's vital for the health of the engine. But there's one question that puzzles many drivers: how frequently should my vehicle's oil be changed? There is not one simple answer, but here ar... More
On Board Diagnostics for Sparta Motorists
November 14, 2021
Some Sparta vehicle owners wonder why Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta and other Sparta auto repair shops charge a fee for vehicle diagnostics. Receiving a diagnostic charge at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta for a tricky automotive problem shouldn't be a surprise. In the Sparta area, automotive diagnostic... More
Motor Oil?The Synthetic Advantage (Synthetic oil vs Conventional)
November 7, 2021
Youve probably already heard that regular oil changes are extremely important for the health of your vehicles engine. Thats sound advice. But what you might not know is when it comes to motor oil, the real thing may not be the best thing for your engine. There are different types of motor oil: ... More
Losing Your Spark (Spark Plug Replacement)
October 31, 2021
When's the last time you thought about spark plugs? You probably don't remember. That's because spark plugs usually last a long time and don't need much attention. But they don't last forever, and when they start going bad, they'll send you a few clues. Vehicle is hard to start. Fuel economy ... More
Why People in Sparta Hesitate to Get Their Vehicle Serviced
October 24, 2021
A recent report stated that over 80 percent of the vehicles on our Sparta, Illinois, roads have one or more service or repair that's needed but hasn't been taken care of. Now that's a lot of undone service. That translates into something over 160 million vehicles in North America alone. Some of t... More
A Cold Day in Sparta ? Air Conditioning Service at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
October 17, 2021
Most Sparta drivers worry about a breakdown or a tire blowout on a busy Illinois highway, but don't worry too much about failure of their air conditioning system. A breakdown on the side of the road can be a miserable and dangerous affair during Sparta rush hour, but so can a long ride in a hot ... More
Battery Replacement at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta in Sparta
October 10, 2021
Hello, welcome to Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta. Today's focus is batteries. It seems like everything in Sparta runs on batteries. Of course, the batteries we're most concerned with here at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta are those in our customer's vehicles. Just like the batteries in our smoke detecto... More
The Need for Speed (Wheel Speed Sensor Maintenance)
October 3, 2021
Today's vehicles have some pretty amazing technology in them, including a computerized braking system we all pretty much take for granted these days. Antilock brake systems (ABS) have been around for years but they help drivers stop in much shorter distances reliably than ever before. When you ... More