Modern cars do not run on steam and we all know that car stuck on the side of the road with steam billowing from under the raised bonnet is going nowhere fast.

It's not just in the summer months that your car can overheat. During it's normal operation your engine generates a significant amount of heat and the radiator and cooling system are tasked with preventing your car, and you, from being damaged by all that heat. There is special fluid called coolant in your system that facilitates this process and also prevents liquids from freezing whilst protecting the system from corrosion as well.

Given time, rust and scale deposits collect in the cooling system and it can become so clogged upit is no longer as good at cooling and protecting your car as it could be. This build up of rust and debris can also damage components 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.

Do you notice puddles under your car or does your temperature gauge read hotter than normal? These are both signs that you need to have your cooling system inspected. Obviously, if your car regularly overheats then it is time to bring it in to Athena Automatics to prevent damage to the cooling system and possibly the engine itself .

Athena Automatics can perform an inspection and where required a service on your radiator and cooling system. Our fully trained team of experts will properly flush your radiator with a solution designed to remove any build up. Once the cooling system has been properly cleaned out , 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 manufacturer's log book will recommend how often to flush your radiator system, It is usually suggested that you have your system flushed every two years or 40,000 km's whichever comes first. However, the size of your engine, regional weather, the condition of your existing coolant, and the total km's driven can all have an effect on how regular you'll need to replace the coolant in your radiator. Your Athena Automatics mechanic will certainly let you know when your cooling system needs a good flushing.

At Athena Automatics, 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 coolant in your system and the written report will tell you if we feel a radiator flush, coolant replacement or any repairs are advised to maintain the safety and performance of your vehicle.

While you can certainly find plenty of advice on how to flush a radiator yourself - it's not something we would advise you to do. Today's vehicles are complex and mistakes like incomplete flushing or changing the coolant in your vehicle without flushing can disturb the sediment and cause blockages in your thermostat or radiator.

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

Radiator coolant is quite toxic and needs to be handled very carefully. It smells sweet which can be inviting to both young children and pets so proper storage is very important - having a trained technician take care of this job 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 ill effects to the environment.