Don't be "that car" broken down on the freeway with steam pouring from under the bonnet.

In it's day the steam engine was the cutting edge of technology for all sorts of things, but those days are well and truly long gone. The last thing you want to see in a modern car are clouds of steam coming from under the bonnet.

Overheating vehicle's aren't just caused by hot weather, your engine gives off heat, a lot of heat, and it's the radiator along with the rest of the cooling system that exists to keep your car, and you, from being damaged by all that heat. A fluid called coolant in the system also prevents liquids from freezing and protects the system from rust and corrosion as well.

Is your car running hotter than normal? Is Your Car Overheating? Does your car leave puddles where your park? Then it is time to have your cooling system inspected by a professional.

And we can service your cooling system and flush your radiator. Our fully trained team of experts will flush your cooling system, using a solution that removes build up. When the cooling system is clean, the cleansing fluid is removed and new coolant added, your car's cooling system will be running like a dream: a radiator flush might be just what your car needs to bring it back to peak performance.

Your radiator will be more efficient - and it will last a lot longer. Your engine will be more efficient and have an increased life expectancy. Boost the performance and power of your engine The water pump will last longer due to better protection and lubrication.

Your manufacturer's log book will usually recommend how regularly your specific cooling system should be flushed. It is generally advised 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 age of your current coolant, the way you use the vehicle and the total kilometers driven can all have an effect on how often you should replace the coolant in your radiator.

At Blenks Automotive & Performance we provide, at your request, a full 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report for free as part of any minor, major or log book service on your vehicle. This includes inspecting the coolant and cooling 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.

Rust and scale deposits can begin to build up and eventually the whole system can become jammed up and less effective at cooling and protecting your car. This build up of rust and debris can lead to damage to the components of your cooling system, including your water pump, radiator, hoses and thermostat, reducing the life of those parts and leading to expensive repairs or replacements in the future.

Websites and How-To's are around giving advice on how to flush a radiator yourself - we say don't do it! These days, vehicles are much more complex and mistakes like incomplete flushing or changing the coolant in your vehicle without flushing can cause any deposits to move around more and cause blockages in your thermostat or radiator.

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

Radiator coolant is highly toxic and needs to be handled very carefully. It smells sweet, which can be attractive to children and pets, so proper storage is very important - letting a trained technician take care of this job means not handling or having dangerous chemicals around your house. Dangerous to the environment, coolant also needs to be disposed of in a safe way. Professional mechanic workshops like Blenks Automotive & Performance can have the coolant recycled or properly disposed of to help save the environment.