PCV Valve Service at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta in Sparta

January 14, 2024

Today, we are talking about your PCV valve. Unburnt fuel is forced into the crankcase as your engine runs. The PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve vents this unburnt fuel and oil vapors from the crankcase and sends it back into the air intake system to be burned in the engine. A clogged... More

How Tired Are Your Tires? (Tire replacement)

January 7, 2024

Of the things you think about most, your tires are probably pretty far down the list. Thats understandable because todays tires are engineered to do their job without needing you to pay too much attention to them. But they DO wear out, and worn tires can contribute to skidding in bad weather, not... More

Training Received by Technicians in Sparta, Illinois

January 1, 2024

When your vehicle breaks down in the Sparta, Illinois, area, or just needs some routine service, it can make you a little nervous. Because your vehicle's so important to your life, you need to be back on the road as soon as possible with the problem fixed right the first time.We've been checkin... More

Sniffing Out a Problem

December 31, 2023

Your parents probably taught you to have common sense. When it comes to your vehicle, common scents can also come in handy. Different smells may tell you about some conditions in your vehicle that need attention. For example, you know what rotten eggs smell like. If you smell them around your ve... More

DOG FOOD IN YOUR ENGINE (Keeping Rodents out of your Engine)

December 24, 2023

A technician was telling us the other day that he was servicing an engine and spotted something he'd never seen before: A collection of dry dog food siting on a horizontal metal ledge near the base of the engine. It was neatly stashed and was in a spot where the food pellets couldn't have simply... More

A Non-Starter (Alternator Problems in Cold Weather)

December 17, 2023

As the temperatures dip, we all know there could be problems starting our vehicles. After all, batteries can grow old and not hold a charge as well as when they were newer. Or starters can go bad. But there's one more component to keep an especially sharp eye on during winter: your alternator. T... More

How to Know When to Change Your Oil at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta

December 10, 2023

Today in the Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta auto care blog, we're going to talk to Sparta drivers about oil change intervals. It seems that as engine technology advances, oil change intervals become longer for Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta customers. For example, recently four of the world's largest ve... More

Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta Service for Your Exhaust System

December 3, 2023

Your vehicle's exhaust system is more than just a tailpipe and a muffler. In fact, it is one of the most complex systems on your vehicle. The manifold is attached to the vehicle engine. It collects exhaust from the cylinders and directs it into the exhaust pipe. Gaskets seal the connection of th... More

Make your Service Visit at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta a Good One

November 26, 2023

Most people don't love going to get their vehicle serviced, but it's one of those things you just have to do. So you might as well get the most of out of it. There are some steps you can take that will likely help you get the best results possible. For one thing, it's important to describe your p... More

Wired! (Battery Cable Service)

November 19, 2023

Colder weather brings out the worst in a vehicle's battery. On a very cold day, you may have experienced that your engine cranks slowly when starting. But while it may be the battery itself, it may also be the parts that transfer the power to other the other electrical components, the battery c... More