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
That Squeal is Telling You Something (What Causes Squealing While Steering)
September 26, 2021
If you hear a squealing noise when you turn your vehicle, it's trying to tell you something is wrong. After all, it never made that noise before, right? The sound you hear may becoming from a few sources. Let's take a look (or a listen) to some of the possibilities. First, you almost certainl... More
Water Everywhere (Clogged Drains)
September 19, 2021
It's bad enough when you mistakenly leave a window open in your vehicle on a rainy day and you find your carpet soaked. But what in the world is going on when your windows are closed tight, not leaking and you STILL wind up with wet carpet? The answer could be something you might not even know y... More
Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta Often Asked About Premium vs. Regular Gas
September 12, 2021
Sparta residents often ask the question: "Will using premium gas make my car run better?" The answer is simple. But first, let's talk about what exactly premium gasoline is.Different grades of gasoline have different octane ratings. Regular gasoline has the lowest octane rating and premium the h... More
Pinch Petroleum Pennies! (Fuel Saving Tips)
September 5, 2021
If you saw a dollar bill on the ground, you'd pick it up, right? Well, whether you find that dollar on the ground or in savings at the gas pump, money is money, and here are some ways to hold on to more of it. Slowing down is the easiest way to save fuel, especially for every speed increase over ... More