A Honking Big Jam (Stuck Horn)
June 19, 2022
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
Automotive Tips from Charlie's Fast Lube Jackson: When to Replace a Damaged Tire
June 12, 2022
Repair or Replace? Thats a question Jackson drivers ask when they have tire damage. Some punctures cannot be repaired because of their size or location. Punctures larger than a quarter of an inch (6.4 mm) are considered too large to be safely repaired. Punctures in the sidewall or near the should... More
I NEED All Wheel Drive (Pros and Cons of AWD)
June 5, 2022
So winter has arrived and you don't feel confident in how your 2-wheel drive vehicle does in the snow and ice. You envy all those people with all-wheel-drive (AWD) and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) cars, trucks and SUVs. You start thinking, "I need one of those. I'll be able to go anywhere without any w... More
Losing Your Spark (Spark Plug Replacement)
May 29, 2022
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
The Red Menace (How to Deal with Rust)
May 22, 2022
Rust. It's worse if you drive in places that use salt on the roads in winter, or if you spend time driving near a body of salt water. But any vehicle has to deal with rust after years on the road. And it's not just that rust can eat away your vehicle's body and fenders. It can be a real probl... More
Bad Vibes (Disc brake rotor problems)
May 17, 2022
If you were to name the most important safety feature on your vehicle right now, what would your answer be? A lot of driving experts would agree that its your brakes. Most newer vehicles use a well-engineered and efficient style of brakes called disc brakes. The name disc brakes comes from one ... More
Defensive Driving in Jackson, Missouri
May 8, 2022
There was a man in the Jackson area who learned that most car accidents occur within a mile of home so he moved. (Just kidding!)When we think of defensive driving, we often focus on our local Missouri highway situations. The fact of the matter is we need to be just as careful close to home in ... More
Jackson Car Owners Ask: Why Do I Need to Change My Serpentine Belt?
May 1, 2022
Any Jackson driver who understands preventive maintenance knows that if it ain't broke, don't fix it is bad auto advice. Replacing a part before it breaks is much less costly for Jackson residents than repairing the engine damage that comes after a part breaks or fails. A good example of this is ... More
Too Hot to Handle (Vehicle Overheating)
April 24, 2022
In the hot weather, seeing steam coming from the engine compartment is something we all dread. No one wants that to happen to them. But if you know the signs of overheating and how to deal with it, you may be able to reduce the risk of damage to your vehicle, maybe even prevent getting stranded ... More
Right or Left? Charlie's Fast Lube Jackson Power Steering Service
April 17, 2022
Have you ever driven a vehicle without power steering? If you have, then you probably appreciate how much easier it is to drive today's modern vehicles. Before power steering, all of the force to turn a vehicle had to come from the driver's arms. That's why old cars had such large steering wheels... More