Hey Sparta Drivers, How Many Miles Are on Your Car?

December 6, 2020

Nowadays, Sparta drivers are paying more at Illinois gas pumps. For some families it adds up to several hundred dollars every month. That's got to come out of the budget somewhere. This is one of the reasons many Illinois drivers are putting off buying a new car. They plan on keeping their old ve... More

The Right Stuff (Choosing Replacement Parts)

November 29, 2020

Let's face it. Vehicles are complicated machines, each having thousands of parts. And since they're subjected to heat, cold, vibrations, bumps and much more, these parts wear out and need to be replaced. When your service advisor says you need a new part, you may have many options. Let's say ... More

The Engine Gets a Boost (Turbocharged Engine Maintenance)

November 22, 2020

If someone told you that your vehicle could have the same power but with a smaller engine, wouldn't that sound like great idea? Just think, a smaller engine would save you money at the gas station and you'd still get the same horsepower. The technology to do just that has been around for a long t... More

Conventional or Synthetic? (Switching to Synthetic Oil)

November 15, 2020

If you keep up on technology trends, then you may be intrigued about synthetic motor oil. It was introduced in the 1960s when Mobil came up with it. Mobil's oil was different from conventional motor oil because it was first broken down to its basic molecules. Then, Mobil removed additional imp... More

Sparta Air Conditioning Service

November 8, 2020

Working up a sweat is a great thing to do in a gym around Sparta, but not in your vehicle. When Sparta residents' vehicle AC Systems have a problem, they'll often feel it right away. The question is, how long do you put up with it? You know, the old comfort versus cost dilemma. But a more comfort... More

A Honking Big Jam (Stuck Horn)

November 1, 2020

At one time or another, most drivers honk their horn at someone who might be texting at a stoplight or not paying attention when they're driving. But what happens when you tap on your horn and all of a sudden it won't quit? Everyone's looking at you like you're an angry jerk and all you want to ... More

Cold Weather Vehicle No-Nos (Items to Avoid Storing in a Freezing Vehicle)

October 25, 2020

It's always easier to leave a few things in your vehicle so you'll have them on hand. But in cold weather, while it's a good idea to carry items such as a phone charger, blanket and shovel, there are some things you shouldn't store in your vehicle. Medicines and drugs. Cold temperatures can af... More

How to Radiate Cool (Radiator Care)

October 18, 2020

There's nothing that radiates cool like a vehicle radiator that's helping to keep your engine running at the proper temperature. You don't have to baby it, but you can't simply ignore it, either. Let's take a quick dive under the hood to let you know what the radiator is doing. It takes the he... More

Tracking True in Illinois: Wheel Alignment in Sparta

October 11, 2020

The biggest issue for Sparta area drivers is always safety. When your vehicle wheels are out of alignment, the vehicle will pull to one side, which could lead to an accident. When you're vehicle is out of alignment, you should have it taken care of right away at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta in Spa... More

It's Brake Time (Brake Calipers)

October 4, 2020

Race car drivers have demonstrated the advantages of disc brakes, so most modern vehicles use them. Sometimes just the front wheels have disc brakes, but many vehicles now have them all the way around. A major component of the disc brake is called a caliper. It works by squeezing brake pads ag... More