No-one wants to be "that car" broken down on the freeway with steam pouring from under the bonnet.

Overheating vehicle's aren't necessarily restricted to the excessive heat of the Australian Summer. The fact is that your engine gives off a lot of heat whilst under normal operation. The primary task of the cooling system and radiator is to protect your car, and you, from being adversely affected by all that heat. The coolant fluid placed in your system helps keep your car from exceeding the boiling point and also prevents liquids from freezing whilst helping to protect the system from rust as well.

If your vehicle is overheating, your dashboard shows your car is running hotter than normal or you are leaving puddles of coolant where ever you park it is time to have your cooling system inspected.

We can service your cooling system and flush your radiator. Our fully trained expert mechanics will flush your cooling system, using a fluid designed to clear out any build-up. Once the cooling system is fully cleaned, the cleansing solution is removed and the system filled with new coolant solution.

Your radiator will be more efficient - and it will last a lot longer. Your will increase your engines efficiency and life expectancy. Engine performance and power will be boosted. Lubricate and protect your water pump

Your car maker's log book will recommend how regularly you should have your cars radiator and cooling system flushed, it is generally recommended that you flush your coolant system every two years or 40,000 km's, depending upon which comes first. However, you should always keep in mind that your engine type and size, the regional weather conditions, the age and condition of your current coolant, and the total distance driven will all have an effect on how regularly you have to replace the coolant in your radiator.

At Lismore Automotive Service, we offer a full 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report for free as part of any minor, major or log book service on your vehicle. This includes checking the level and condition of coolant in your system and the written report will tell you if we feel a radiator flush, coolant replacement or any repairs are recommended to maintain the safety and performance of your vehicle.

Eventually rust and scale deposits begin to accumulate and the cooling system may become blocked. The system becomes less effective at cooling and protecting your car and this build-up of rust and debris can even damage important components of your cooling system such as your water pump, radiator, hoses and thermostat, affecting the lifespan of those parts and leading to expensive repairs or replacements in the future.

While there are many websites and how to's offering advice on how to flush a radiator yourself - it's not something we would advise you to do. These days, vehicles are much more complex and simple mistakes like incomplete or improper flushing or changing the coolant in your vehicle without flushing can push more debris around and cause blockages in your thermostat or radiator.

It's wise have your systems inspected regularly by a qualified mechanic, and properly flushed before being refilled with the right type of coolant, the system purged of any air pockets, and then the whole system tested by a professional again to ensure full working order and to prevent any costly breakdowns in the future.

Radiator coolant is toxic and needs to be handled very carefully and needs to be disposed of in a safe way, professional workshops can have the coolant recycled or properly disposed of to save the environment. Coolant smells sweet, which can be enticing to both children and pets so proper storage is very important - having a trained technician do this job for you means not handling or having dangerous chemicals around your house.