New Life for Your Older Car in Sparta
June 5, 2022
Isn't it amazing how much of our stuff is disposable these days? Clothes, electronics, housewares, furniture.Remember the days when Sparta families mended their clothes, polished their shoes and neatly put away their toys every night? If something was lost or ruined through neglect, your parents ... More
How to Get Better Gas Mileage in Sparta
May 29, 2022
There is no escaping it: things work better when you take care of them. Something most of us in Sparta can relate to is our computers. You've probably noticed how they get slower and slower over time. It takes longer to start up and programs take forever to load. Eventually, many of us just get ... More
Differential Service at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta: Viva la Difference
May 22, 2022
Every vehicle on Illinois roads has a differential, and it is important to the proper operation of the vehicle. But most Sparta residents don't have a clue what it is.The differential compensates for differing wheel speeds. For example, when you turn, the inside tire on the turn travels a much ... More
Watching Your Check Engine Light
May 17, 2022
Did you know that most of the cars driving around Sparta, Illinois, carry more computer power than the Apollo 121 Lunar Module that landed on the moon in 1969?New cars sold in the Sparta area have as many as 12 networked computers and over five miles (eight kilometers) of wiring. In fact, for th... More
The Vivacious Vernal Vehicle (Preparing Vehicle for Spring)
May 8, 2022
Most of us look forward to spring because the days are longer, the weather's warmer and we can finally get our vehicles into warm weather mode. Here are a few things that will breathe fresh energy into anyone's car, SUV, truck or van. First thing is a good cleaning, especially underneath. If you... More
Direct Fuel Injection Update from Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
May 1, 2022
For those of you in Sparta, Illinois who pay attention to these things, you may have been hearing about the new direct injection engines and want to learn more about them. Some deliver the power of a V8 with the economy of a V6.For example, in one family of engines the conventional V6 makes abou... More
A Stitch in Time at Charlie's Fast Lube Sparta
April 24, 2022
You probably have heard that expression, "A stitch in time saves nine." In other words, if you fix an issue at its early stages, it will prevent a much more difficult problem later. That's certainly the case with your vehicle, and here's a true story to demonstrate it. A driver noticed his vehicl... More
Timing Belt Service to Save Big Bucks in Sparta
April 17, 2022
Your engine is like a finely choreographed dance. All the parts have to work together. If the timing is off at the ballet, dancers crash into each other and fall down. It the timing is off in your engine, it may not run at all. One of the most intricate dances in your engine has to do with the c... More
Go Straight: Wheel Alignment for Sparta Automobiles
April 10, 2022
Sparta drivers may have an alignment problem if their car drifts or pulls to one side, the steering wheel's off center, they notice uneven tire wear or the car doesn't feel like it handles right as they drive down Sparta, Illinois, streets and roads.When all of a vehicle's wheels are lined up exa... More
Got it Covered! (Timing Cover Maintenance)
April 3, 2022
You may have heard at one time or another about something called a timing belt or timing chain in your engine. And you may know that if they fail well, let's just say that there can be some major engine damage. So obviously, we want our timing belts and chains to be in tip-top shape. One part t... More