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We advise that our workshop will be closed for the Christmas period from the close of business on Friday the 20th of December and reopening on Monday the 6th of January

Derek Steen`s Auto Care take great pride in offering their clients personalised, and friendly service at all times. 
		
Conveniently located in Castlemaine, the business is a member of the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring their technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods. 
		
Derek Steen`s Auto Care have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, they have a commitment to high quality workmanship, ensuring the very best in automotive care.

When it comes to keeping your vehicle running smoothly, the cooling system is your car's best friend. It works tirelessly to maintain the right temperature, ensuring that your engine doesn't overheat.  The Cool Science Behind Your Car’s Cooling System At its core, a vehicle's cooling system is a combination of components designed to regulate the engine's temperature. It includes a radiator, thermostat, water pump, and coolant. As the engine runs, it produces heat. The cooling system circulates coolant through the engine, absorbs the heat, and then dissipates it through the radiator. This intricate dance keeps your engine cool and prevents it from going kaboom! Why Regular Checks Are a Must Just like any good friendship, your cooling system needs regular attention to stay in top shape. That’s where the professional mechanics at Derek Steen's Auto Care come in. Regular check-ups can prevent small issues from turning into costly repairs. A trusted mechanic will ensure that your system is clean, the coolant levels are right, and all components are functioning correctly. So, treat your car to some TLC and keep it cruising smoothly down the road. Warning Signs Your Cooling System Might Need Some Love Be on the lookout for these red flags that may indicate your cooling system is underperforming: Rising temperature gauge: If your dashboard’s temperature needle starts climbing, it’s time to investigate. Coolant leaks: Puddles under your car? That's your coolant crying for help. Strange smells: A sweet, syrupy odor could mean your coolant is leaking. Steam from the hood: Not a good sign. Your engine might be overheating. Meet the Cooling System Gurus: Derek Steen's Auto Care Located in the heart of Castlemaine, Derek Steen's Auto Care is your go-to spot for all things cooling systems. With a team of skilled professionals, we’ve got the expertise and friendly service to put your worries at ease. Whether it's a routine check-up or a full-scale repair, we’ve got you covered. Services That Keep You Cool We offer a range of services to keep your cooling system in peak condition: Comprehensive cooling system inspections Coolant flush and replacement Radiator repair and replacement Thermostat checks and replacements Water pump inspection and servicing And to top it all off, our services come with the Repco Authorised Service Nationwide warranty, offering you peace of mind wherever your travels take you. So, don’t let your car’s cooling system fall by the wayside. Swing by Derek Steen's Auto Care for expert care and friendly service. We’ll make sure your vehicle stays as cool as a cucumber, mile after mile!

When it comes to keeping your vehicle running smoothly, the cooling system is your car's best friend. It works tirelessly to maintain the right temperature, ensuring that your engine doesn't overheat.

Stay Cool: The Lowdown on Vehicle Cooling Systems

Are you ready to hit the road with confidence? We’re giving 21 lucky winners the chance to win a $100 voucher for Repco Authorised Service! That’s one winner every day for 21 days. Whether your car needs a service, a tune-up, or just a little TLC, this is your chance to get it sorted – on us! All you need to do is hop on over to www.repcoservice.com and go on a little hunt... if you find the easter egg - make a note of what page it's on and then enter your favourite road trip destination! 
A little hint - You might CHOOSE US if you need a LOGBOOK SERVICE!
Happy Hunting ! 

We’re giving 21 lucky winners the chance to win a $100 voucher for Repco Authorised Service!

Win $100 off your next service!

Keep your cool, without global warming. A proactive car air conditioning approach to protecting our environment.  As Australia begins phasing down HFC use (from January 2018), many new vehicle manufacturers may be switching to new air conditioning systems using the more environmentally friendly refrigerant R-1234yf, instead of R-134a. The benefits of using R-1234yf "Twelve Thirty Four", as R-1234yf is sometimes known, is an HFO type refrigerant delivering high performance, resulting in a more efficient air-conditioning system, fewer emissions and reduced fuel consumption. Hydrofluoroolefins (HFO's) have a double carbon bond meaning they trap less heat in the atmosphere than Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC's) and break down faster. Importantly, R-1234yf systems are specifically engineered to prevent refrigerant leakage and loss, including into the interior of the vehicle. The leakage of refrigerants contributes considerably to greenhouse gases. Why the switch? Older type refrigerants accumulate in the upper atmosphere as greenhouse gases and contribute significantly to Global Warming for a considerable time. In the mid-'90s, the old R-12 (or Freon), which takes a long time to break down into a non-greenhouse gas, was replaced with R134a, which breaks down much quicker. R-1234yf takes that improvement to the next level, breaking down in less than half the time of R-134a (and a fraction of the time R-12 can take). R-134a will remain in use for some time and a licensed mechanic can still service R-134a air con systems, but new vehicles will likely use the new systems with R-1234yf. Some already are. Irrespective of what type of refrigerant your car air conditioner uses, a car service workshop undertaking air conditioner service must have the right knowledge and equipment to handle these gases responsibly. You should always take your car to a mechanic with the skills and specialist equipment to undertake air conditioning service safely and correctly.

There's a new gas in town

Trust, experience & knowledge ... You can rely on your Local and Independent Repco Authorised Service centre, Derek Steen's Auto Care to service and repair your vehicle. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, Derek Steen's Auto Care use quality parts and lubricants and employ state of the art diagnostic equipment and repair methods. What’s more, our fully qualified technicians have access to the latest service information, bulletins and training through the Australia wide Repco Auto Tech program. We provide a full range of automotive services right here in Castlemaine and surrounding areas, all backed by our Repco Authorised Service Nationwide Warranty and fully supported at over 500 Service Centres right across Australia. So rest assured - your car is in safe hands.

As a Repco Authorised Service centre, we use quality parts and lubricants and employ state of the art diagnostic equipment and repair methods.

Derek Steen's Auto Care - Our expertise & knowledge

Modern radiator coolants not only protect your car from overheating, or the fluid from freezing, they also protect the radiator system from corrosion. Derek Steen's Auto Care in Castlemaine are very knowledgeable and experienced in looking after these systems.  It is recommended that you exchange your radiator coolant fluid every two years or 40,000 km's whichever comes first. However the size of the engine, the climate in your area, the age of your current coolant, and the total miles that have been driven can all affect the need to replace the coolant in your radiator. Knowing when to replenish your radiator fluid isn't always easy - obviously, when it has gone a dirty brown colour it's a sign it probably needs to be flushed and replaced - however even fresh-looking coolant could have lost its corrosion protection properties and without measuring its reserve alkalinity there's no signal that it is no longer protecting your vehicle components, and it could even be doing more damage than good. Maintaining good coolant means your radiator system will be much better protected from corrosion and will have a longer life span, it will help prevent you from having to replace expensive engine components. At Derek Steen's Auto Care in Castlemaine 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. Part of this inspection includes checking the level and condition of coolant in your system and the written report will advise you if we feel a radiator flush, fluid replacement or any repairs are required to maintain the performance of your vehicle.

Even if it looks clean, your coolant still might need replacing!

Radiator Coolant

Faulty and low charge batteries are to be avoided. Don't wait till you're stranded somewhere on the side of the road, hoping for a jump start. It is easy to have your car, bike, truck battery tested or charged up at Derek Steen's Auto Care in Castlemaine.  Often issues occur because we have all reduced how much we drive or decided to only rely on one car (as petrol prices skyrocket!) and have left the other in the garage. But did you know that batteries can still discharge even when your car isn't in use? - ask Derek Steen's Auto Care about a battery test today!  Our technicians do a battery load test as part of the 65 Point Vehicle Inspection Report that comes free with every car service. If you have concerns, we can do a stand-alone battery test and inspection right here in Castlemaine. Car Battery FAQ How do I know if my battery is getting flat or low? The most obvious sign of a flat battery is when your car won't start, but modern motor vehicles can show symptoms like non-essential functions not operating correctly - things like idle stop-start function not working, or the car's air-conditioning not working effectively.
Other signs you might need a new car battery include: Vehicle is slow to start Engine won't start Dash Lights work, but engine won't start Constantly needing a jump start Film or corrosion on the battery Cracked swollen or leaky battery Rotten egg smell under the hood Do I need a new car battery? The most obvious sign of a flat battery is when your car won't start. Modern motor vehicles can show symptoms like the idle stop-start not working or the car's air-conditioning not working to full capacity.

Other signs include cracked, dirty or leaky batteries, a rotten egg smell under the hood of your car, or regularly needing a jump start or recharge. The best way to know if you need a new battery is to get a car battery test at {{{businessName}}} Does a flat battery use more fuel? Yes! When your car battery is running flat, the alternator works harder to recharge the battery. This added load on the engine means it burns more fuel. Where can I buy a new car battery? Come in and see us! As a Repco Authorised Service Centre, {{{businessName}}} have access to the highest quality batteries to suit most vehicles. Who can test my car battery? {{{businessName}}} can do a battery load test. Phone us or visit the workshop today. Why choose {{{businessName}}} for a battery test? If you have concerns about your vehicle's performance, it is wise to get your battery tested at a full-service workshop like {{{businessName}}} rather than at a parts store. That's because we take into consideration the whole vehicle and can diagnose any deeper issues. There is nothing worse than replacing your car battery only to find the problem actually lies elsewhere… except maybe being told your battery test is fine with no explanation for your ongoing issues! Can my car battery be recharged? Yes, in fact the battery is being recharged by the alternator in your car whenever the engine is running. Sometimes this fix isn't enough, and your battery requires an external recharge. It's best to ask the professionals like our team at {{{businessName}}} about this, as you could void the battery warranty by recharging it yourself. Sometimes external recharging is not the best option because every battery eventually reaches a point in its life where replacement is the only answer to avoid unexpected breakdowns. Can I fit my battery myself? The short answer is yes...But! Modern vehicles are “computers on wheels”, so if you decide to DIY you must follow proper installation procedures to avoid damaging the ECM (Engine Control Module) and TCM (Transmission Control Module). Plus, if the battery gets incorrectly installed, items like the radio, the navigation system and security codes may need to be professionally reset. Talk to {{{businessName}}} today. We can recommend the right battery for your needs and install it for you. 

Ever replaced your battery only to find your car problem wasn't fixed? Don't be left feeling flat, get your battery tested at a full service workshop.

Derek Steen's Auto Care

Cars are our passion.

Stay Cool: The Lowdown on Vehicle Cooling Systems

Win $100 off your next service!

There's a new gas in town

Derek Steen's Auto Care - Our expertise & knowledge

Radiator Coolant

Car Battery Testing and FAQ