Nobody wants to be "that car", stuck on the side of the road with steam pouring from under the bonnet while the passengers cook in the sweltering Australian summer heat.

Overheating vehicle's are not just caused by Summer weather though. Your car engine produces extreme levels of heat under normal operation, regardless of the ambient temperature. It's the radiator, along with the rest of the cooling system, that keeps your car (and you) from being damaged by all that heat. The coolant fluid placed in your system also prevents liquids from freezing and protects the system from corrosion as well.

Over time rust and scale deposits build up and the whole system becomes choked and not as good at cooling and protecting your car. This build up of rust and debris can damage the many parts of your cooling system including your water pump, radiator, hoses and thermostat, this can reduce the lifespan of those parts and leading to expensive repairs or replacements in the future.

As well as an overheating car, a temperature gauge that's reading hotter than normal or a car leaving puddles behind means it is time to have your cooling system inspected by a professional.

Victoria Park Auto Care can service your cooling system and flush your radiator. Our fully trained team of experts will perform a proper radiator flush, using a solution which is designed to remove any build up. When the cooling system has been cleaned out , the cleansing solution is removed and fresh new coolant is 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.
• Get a boost in vehicle performance and power.
• Your water pump is further protected as it is better lubricated.

Your car's log book provides an outline for how often your radiator should be flushed, It is commonly suggested that you flush your radiator coolant 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.

At Victoria Park Auto Care, at your request we will perform 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 advised to maintain the safety and performance of your vehicle.

While there are many websites and how to's giving advice on how to flush a radiator yourself - we don't recommend 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 best to have your systems checked regularly by a qualified mechanic, and properly flushed before being refilled with coolant of the right specifications, 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 also quite toxic and needs to be handled very carefully. It smells sweet which can be enticing to animals and young children, so proper storage is very important - having a professional handle this task for you means not handling or having dangerous chemicals around your house. Coolant also needs to be disposed of in the proper manner and professional workshops can have the coolant recycled or properly disposed of to save harming the environment.