Nobody wants to be "that car" broken down on the freeway with steam pouring from under the bonnet, surrounded by the unhappy occupants stuck in the sweltering heat of the Australian summer.

Your car's log book will outline how often to service your cooling system, It is generally recommended that you flush your coolant system every two years or 40,000 km's depending on which comes first. However, the size of your engine, regional weather, the quality of your current coolant, and the total km's driven can all have an effect on how often you should fully replace the coolant in your radiator.

Even if you top up the coolant level on a regular basis, eventually the coolant begins to degrade and there is also a tendency for rust and scale deposits to accumulate throughout the cooling system, which can lead to a lessening of performance of cooling system components.

This build up of rust and debris can damage the important parts of your cooling system including your water pump, radiator, hoses and thermostat, affecting the lifespan of those parts and leading to expensive repairs or replacements in the future.

At Matlin Auto Repairs, you can request a Vehicle Inspection Report for free as part of any minor, major or log book service on your vehicle. This includes checking the 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.

If your car running hotter than normal, tends to leave puddles where ever you park or worse still your Car is regularly Overheating, it is best to have your cooling system checked over by a professional. Matlin Auto Repairs can inspect your cooling system and determine the problem.

Our fully trained team of experts can perform a full radiator flush where required, using a solution to remove build up. When the cooling system has been fully cleaned out, the solution is removed and fresh new coolant is added. a radiator flush might be just what your car needs to bring it back to peak performance. Following a radiator flush or service your car will run cooler and you will gain the following benefits;

• Your radiator will be more efficient, reliable and live longer.
• Your engine will be more efficient and have an increased life expectancy.
• Get a boost in vehicle performance and power.
• Your water pump is further protected as it is better lubricated.

While there are a lot of places offering advice on how to flush a radiator yourself - we don't endorse it. These days, vehicles are much more complex and mistakes like incomplete flushing or changing the coolant in your vehicle without flushing can stir up the deposits and cause blockages in your thermostat or radiator. It's sensible to have your systems inspected regularly by a qualified mechanic, and properly flushed before being refilled with the recommended coolant type, the system purged of any air pockets, and then the whole system expertly reviewed 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. It is also very sweet smelling which can be inviting to young children and pets so proper safe storage is very important - having a professional take care of this job means not handling or having dangerous chemicals around your house. Dangerous coolant also needs to be disposed of safely, professional workshops can have the coolant recycled or properly disposed of to save the environment.