Keeping Your 'Old Faithful' Auto Running
September 15, 2024
At Charlie's Fast Lube Dexter we've had a lot of Dexter customers asking how they can make their vehicles last longer. These questions are actually a reflection of a trend that's been building for several years in Missouri. The median age of personal vehicles is now over nine years. And 33 percen... More
Dexter Road Trip Preparation
September 8, 2024
People from Dexter, Missouri, love their cars. And nothing goes with cars better than a Missouri road trip. Freedom from daily schedules, new sights and the open road it's great! But there's nothing like car trouble to bring the fun to a grinding halt.You can't always avoid problems, but you ca... More
Stopping "Brake" Downs (Brake Pad Replacement)
September 1, 2024
If someone tells you to put the brakes on something, you know it means stop. And stopping is one of the most important safety maneuvers you can do in any vehicle. That means your brakes have to work properly. Let's face it. You stop dozens of times every time you drive. And over time, that t... More
Charlie's Fast Lube Dexter Fuel Saving Tip for Dexter: Check Engine Light
August 25, 2024
Here's a question for Dexter, Missouri : How long have you been enjoying the romantic glow of your Check Engine light? Hey, it's not there to create ambiance; it's a warning that something's wrong. (And, by the way, Homer Simpson's fix of covering it with tape is not a good idea.) Many condition... More
Hey Dexter Drivers; What Is the Most Distracting Food?
August 18, 2024
So what is the most distracting food to have in the car while driving around Dexter?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 'coffee... More
Dashboard's a Funny Name (Instrumental Panel Warning Lights)
August 11, 2024
Every day you drive, you're sitting behind the dashboard. But how in the world did it get that name? Back in the days of the horse-drawn carriage, horses would kick up dirt and mud on the driver and passengers, "dashing" debris against the carriage. So those who built carriages began installing a... More
Ethics of Automotive Repair in Dexter
August 4, 2024
We're going to be talking about the ethics of automotive repair. It seems like news outlets really like hit-and-run reporting; they hit everyone from groceries stores to retail to physicians. And the Dexter automotive service and repair industry hasn't been given a pass either.Unfortunately, ever... More
The Charlie's Fast Lube Dexter Guide to Proper Fluids for Your Vehicle
July 28, 2024
The automotive professionals at Charlie's Fast Lube Dexter would like to give Dexter drivers an update on some of the things happening in automotive fluids. You know, vehicles are becoming more sophisticated every day. Fluids such as, oil, coolant and transmission fluid are becoming more specia... More
That Squeal is Telling You Something (What Causes Squealing While Steering)
July 21, 2024
If you hear a squealing noise when you turn your vehicle, it's trying to tell you something is wrong. After all, it never made that noise before, right? The sound you hear may becoming from a few sources. Let's take a look (or a listen) to some of the possibilities. First, you almost certainl... More
Don't Start with That (Bad Starter Motor)
July 14, 2024
We've all heard that expression, "That's a non starter." When it comes to your vehicle, that's not music to a driver's ears. That sickening sound when you start the ignition and instead of hearing the engine crank, you hear it slowly turn over and your dash lights go dim. There can be many reaso... More