Nobody's got time to be "that car" broken down on the freeway with steam pouring from under the hood.

An overheating car isn't just caused by Summer weather, your engine radiates a lot of extreme heat and it's the radiator and cooling system that stops 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 as well.

Do you notice puddles under your car? Does your temp gauge read hotter than normal? Is your car overheating? Then it is best to have your cooling system checked over by a professional.

And we can service your cooling system and flush your radiator. Our fully trained and experienced mechanics will flush your cooling system, using a solution that removes build up. Once the cooling system is flushed, the cleansing fluid is removed and coolant replaced, 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 run more efficiently and have an increased life expectancy. Boost your car's performance and power. Your water pump is further protected as it is better lubricated.

Your car maker's log book will recommend how regularly your radiator system should be flushed, It is usually suggested that you flush your coolant system every two years or 40,000 km's depending on which comes first. However, your engine size, local seasons, the age of your current coolant, and the amount of km's driven can all change how often you need to replace the coolant in your radiator.

At Southeast Auto Mechanical, 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 inspecting 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 required to maintain the performance of your vehicle.

Eventually rust and scale deposits collect and the whole system becomes congested and it stops being effective at cooling and protecting your car. This build up of rust and debris can damage the important parts 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 offering advice on how to flush a radiator yourself - Its not something we recommend. Today's vehicles can be complex and mistakes like incomplete flushing or changing the coolant in your vehicle without flushing can stir up even more sediment and cause blockages in your thermostat or radiator. It's sensible to have your systems examined 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 professionally tested 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 smells sweet which can be enticing to both children and pets so proper storage is very important - having an expert do this job for you means not handling or having dangerous chemicals around your house. Dangerous coolant also needs to be disposed of in the proper manner, professional workshops can have the coolant recycled or properly disposed of to save the environment.