Chilly Warning (Diagnosing a Noise in Cold Vehicle)
November 27, 2022
When the weather gets colder, sometimes the noises your vehicle makes will change. For example, you may notice a whining sound when you get going in the morning. It may go away when the vehicle warms up, but it's best not to ignore that sound because it could be a warning of worse things to com... More
Out with the Old (Vehicle Parts that Wear Out)
November 20, 2022
Some drivers don't pay any attention to their vehicles until something breaks. Others take them into their service repair facility for maintenance even before a problem develops. Still, even if you fit into the second group, there are some parts on a vehicle that will simply wear out over time.... More
The Last Gas (Fuel Pump Replacement).
November 13, 2022
You're heading down the road and you notice your vehicle is sputtering, like it's running out of gas. But the gauge show's it's still got a quarter of a tank. So what gives? It could be that your fuel pump is failing, meaning your engine is not getting enough gas to run properly. While fuel pu... More
Sounds Exhausting! (Exhaust Service)
November 6, 2022
Most of us know a bad muffler when we hear it. That loud, rumbling sound is unmistakable. Did you also know you can get a ticket for driving around with a loud exhaust system? If your exhaust system has a leak in it, it may be allowing poisonous gases inside your vehicle and could make you serio... More
What You Need to Know from Your Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston Service Advisor
October 30, 2022
Sikeston drivers may feel intimidated when they take their vehicles to a service center. They have questions but aren't sure how to ask. They don't want to feel embarrassed about their lack of knowledge. They don't want to make the service technician feel that they don't trust him.If your servic... More
Hey Sikeston Drivers; What Is the Most Distracting Food?
October 23, 2022
So what is the most distracting food to have in the car while driving around Sikeston?Is it: A Hamburger; Coffee; A Soft Drink, or Gummy Bears? Well, you may be surprised to learn that all but the gummy bears are in the top ten most distracting foods when you are driving. But if you chose 'coff... More
Missouri: What Is the Risk of High Oil Change Intervals?
October 16, 2022
Missouri residents may have heard that vehicles don't need their oil changed as often as they used to. That's true. But it's not the whole story.Owing to improved engine technology and higher oil quality, most newer vehicles can go longer between oil changes than their older counterparts.So what ... More
Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston Tire Safety: Washington vs. Lincoln
October 9, 2022
Welcome to the Charlie's Fast Lube Sikeston automotive blog. Today, let's talk about the effect of tire wear. Let's focus on stopping in wet Sikeston conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can't move the water, the tire... More
Breathe Easier (Cabin Air Filter)
October 2, 2022
When you get in your vehicle, how does it smell? If it's not so nice, it may be time to have your cabin air filter changed. It's not the same one that filters out the air used in the engine. The cabin air filter screens out dust and other particulates from the outside air so when it enters the c... More
Timing Belt
September 25, 2022
Ever heard the sad tale of a staggeringly steep repair bill from a broken timing belt? Bad news. Let's take a lesson from their woes and remember to think about our timing belt.First, let's review what a timing belt does. The top part of the engine over the cylinders is called the cylinder head.... More