A Fluid Situation (Check Fluid Levels)
May 28, 2023
There's one fluid in your car you are always careful to keep at a certain level: the fuel. If you don't have fuel, you're not going anywhere. Your vehicle has other fluids which are vitally important to proper and safe operation, too. So, here's a "level" headed approach to those "other" fluids... More
Automotive Tips from Charlie's Fast Lube Dexter: Battery Testing
April 16, 2023
The simple fact is that 70% of car batteries fail within 4 years. They just need to be replaced at Charlie's Fast Lube Dexter when they are no longer able to hold a full charge.Batteries are a big ticket item for most Dexter drivers and its tempting to put off buying a new one as long as possible... More
A Clean Start (Battery Cleaning)
December 11, 2022
You may be fanatical about keeping the outside of your vehicle clean. But what about what's under the hood? Have you ever thought about how dirt and grime may be affecting your engine's components? One of the most important parts under your hood to keep clean is your vehicle's battery. With a d... More
A Stitch in Time at Charlie's Fast Lube Dexter
November 13, 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
Battery Basics for Dexter
November 14, 2021
It's important for Dexter drivers to know battery basics. First, let's talk about which is harder on a battery hot or cold Missouri weather. Most Dexter area drivers think it's cold weather because that's when we call on our batteries to have enough power to start a cold vehicle engine. However... More
The Right Automotive Fluids for Dexter Drivers
November 7, 2021
All those automotive fluids can be confusing for Dexter drivers. Recent years have brought new grades of engine oil, types of transmission fluid, coolant and brake fluid. The right fluid protects your vehicle and helps it perform at its best. The wrong fluid won't work as well and could even caus... More
The Right Fluids for Your Vehicle
April 25, 2021
The current vehicles in the market have over a century of engineering behind them. They have evolved into complex and powerful machines. Developments in their engines, however, have coincided with advances in many other vehicle components, including the fluids.It's up to people in Dexter to alwa... More
Charlie's Fast Lube Dexter Service Tip: Why Synthetic Oil Is Good For Your Vehicles
January 10, 2021
Hello Missouri! Today's vehicle care topic is: Synthetic Oil vs. Petroleum Based Oil. Synthetic motor oil is a substitute for petroleum based oil. If you aren't currently using it, why not? Synthetic motor oil maximizes engine power and fuel economy. To see why, we'd need a microscope, so we'll ... More
Charge It in Dexter for Extended Battery Life
September 13, 2020
Here's an interesting statistic for our in Dexter, Missouri, drivers: Only 30 percent of car batteries make it to 48 months. And the life expectancy varies by where you live. It ranges from 51 months in extremely cold areas to just 30 months in extremely hot climates.Why is that? It turns out th... More
Taking the Heat (Batteries in Hot Weather)
June 28, 2020
Quick question. Which is tougher on a vehicle's battery, the heat or the cold? Believe it or not, it's the heat. Think about it. The battery often sits in the engine compartment next to that motor generating lots of heat. That can accelerate corrosion in the battery and may even cause water i... More