The Importance of Sparta Drivers Following Service Intervals

May 7, 2023

Today in our Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta blog, we're going to talk about following recommended service intervals. Your vehicle isn't the only aspect of your life in Sparta with recommended intervals: Let's start with twice yearly dental check-ups and regular physical exams. How about laundry, wat... More

Automotive Tips from Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta: Serpentine Belt Overview

April 30, 2023

The technicians at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta know your serpentine belt drives important engine accessories like your alternator, air conditioning compressor, and power steering. In some cars it may also power the power brakes or water pump. The serpentine belt is powered by the engine and winds ... More

Blind Spot Safety for Sparta Driving

April 23, 2023

Blind spots may be a good thing when it comes to a spouse's annoying habits, but when driving an automobile in Sparta, they are definitely to be avoided. So, while it's not good marital advice, it's good auto advice to minimize your own blind spots and stay out of other Sparta drivers' blind spo... More

Free Money (Almost) (Fuel Saving Tips)

April 16, 2023

You spend a lot of money on a vehicle, probably the most money you'll spend on anything except a house. But the spending doesn't stop after you've bought it. It goes into things like insurance, repairs and fuel. One good piece of news is that you can cut down the amount you spend on fuel if yo... More

Engine Air Filter from Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta

April 9, 2023

Many Sparta drivers have found themselves in the following situation: They go to get their oil changed and their friendly service advisor at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta recommends a new engine air filter. They say yes, but don't know what an air filter is or what it does.If this has happened to y... More

Custom Wheels and Tires for Your Sparta Ride

April 2, 2023

It seems like everywhere you go in the Sparta area you see custom wheels. Big trucks, little cars, mini-vans - it doesn't matter - are expressing themselves with custom wheels. Some Illinois auto owners want smaller tires and wheels - some want larger - and some want them enormous. So where do ... More

Beware of Potholes! (Avoiding Pothole Damage)

March 26, 2023

You may live in a region where roads become pockmarked with craters known better as potholes. They're caused by moisture seeping through a compromised road surface that can freeze, expand and literally punch holes in the road. And when your vehicle hits one of those holes that's big enough, the... More

The Light Many Drivers Fear (Check Engine Light)

March 19, 2023

Ask just about any driver about one thing they fear seeing inside their vehicle and they'll say it's the Check Engine light coming on. You know, that little light on your instrument panel that is in the shape of a vehicle engine, often accompanied by the words Check, Check Engine, Check Engine Se... More

Automotive Tips from Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta: When to Replace a Damaged Tire

March 12, 2023

Repair or Replace? Thats a question Sparta drivers ask when they have tire damage. Some punctures cannot be repaired because of their size or location. Punctures larger than a quarter of an inch (6.4 mm) are considered too large to be safely repaired. Punctures in the sidewall or near the shoulde... More

Upgrade Shocks for Better Handling in Sparta

March 5, 2023

Many Sparta drivers probably don't think of their shock absorbers as an important safety system; but that's just what shocks and struts are. They're all about ride control keeping your vehicle tires in contact with the road and managing body motion.Every time you hit a bump or pothole on a Spar... More