Straight and True in Sparta: Wheel Alignment
June 6, 2021
Most Sparta folks worry about running out of gas or having a breakdown on the side of the road. That is why we practice preventive maintenance on our vehicles that and to keep our repair bills down. But one important part of preventive maintenance that may get overlooked by drivers in Sparta is... More
Treat Your Vehicle to Good Tires at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
May 30, 2021
When we shop for shoes, most of us know that we can get two pairs of cheap shoes or one good pair for about the same price. And since the two cheap pairs wear out in about the same time as the good pair, there really is no difference in cost. If you like having a closet full of shoes to match yo... More
Give Your Engine Clean Fuel with a New Fuel Filter from Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
May 23, 2021
Your vehicle requires plenty of clean fuel to run. If your fuel contains contaminants, your fuel injectors will eventually become clogged up. When this happens, your vehicle engine may not get the proper amount of fuel at the correct pressure to run at peak performance. This hurts performance as... More
For 4x4s (Maintenance of 4x4 Vehicles)
May 16, 2021
Some people love 4x4 vehicles, the true 4-wheel drive works of engineering like Jeeps and 4x4 pickups that allow you to seemingly go anywhere on the planet. You can climb up a 40-degree rock trail with some planning and skill (always careful to protect the environment, of course), or you can get ... More
Below 45 Degrees in Sparta: Consider Winter Tires
May 9, 2021
Remember snow tires? They were basically just regular tires with big, knobby lugs to get them through deep snow. They were loud and rode hard, and Sparta drivers couldn't wait to get them off the car. Then along came television advertisements for all-season radials. Illinois drivers ran out and ... More
Gas Smell! (What Causes Gasoline Odors)
May 2, 2021
If you've ever walked into your garage and noticed it smelled like gasoline, pay attention. Gasoline can be dangerous, both from the health problems fumes can cause and the fire danger gasoline presents. There are many things that can cause a vehicle to give off a gasoline odor. One of the easi... More
How Far We've Come (Newer Vehicle Technology)
April 25, 2021
Automotive design has come a long way since the days of the Model T, especially when it comes to safety technology. You can thank computers for a lot of the latest innovations. Here are a few that have been making their mark in recent years. Adaptive cruise control. This is cruise control with... More
Sparta Drivers Severe Service Maintenance Schedules
April 18, 2021
Since driving requirements and lifestyles differ among Sparta drivers, your vehicle manufacturer publishes two auto maintenance schedules: the regular schedule and the severe service schedule. Which schedule should Sparta drivers follow? Here are some questions to ask yourself:Are most of your tr... More
Battery Replacement for Your vehicle
April 11, 2021
Modern vehicles in and around Sparta run on 12 volt electrical systems. 12 volts is enough to get the job done for Sparta drivers without having so much power that there is danger of electrocution. But today's vehicles have more electrical components and do-dads than ever before. This really str... More
Fuel Filter Replacement
April 4, 2021
Hello Sparta resident! You would never like to drink a glass of mud, right? Well, your vehicle feels the same way. It needs a steady supply of clean fuel in order to run well and deliver good fuel economy. The fuel filter's job is to clean dirt and rust out of the fuel before it gets to your engi... More