Our Christmas break starts from close of business on 22nd and we reopen on Monday the 9th Jan, 2023.

We advise that we will be closed Monday the 1st of May for Labour Day reopening Tuesday the 2nd of May.

We wish to advise that we will be closed for the public holiday on the 2nd of October. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Excellence in Automotive is your local car service mechanic in Bowen. 

As a family owned and operated business, we take great pride in offering our customers the very best in automotive care and we are committed to providing personalised and friendly service at all times. 

As a Repco Authorised Service centre, we participate in the Repco Auto Tech training program, ensuring our technicians are kept fully up to date with modern vehicle repair methods. 

We have a wealth of experience in servicing all makes and models, including commercial fleet vehicles. For reliable car maintenance, service & repairs in Bowen and the surrounding areas, please use our online booking form or give us a call.

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!

Owning a car requires you to pay close attention to its engine cooling system. Central to this system is coolant, a vital liquid that ensures your engine remains at the right temperature. Coolant, often referred to as antifreeze, prevents your engine from overheating during intense use and stops it from freezing in cold weather. However, to keep your coolant functioning effectively, it's crucial to perform a radiator flush periodically. How frequently should you do this, and what happens if you don't? This article will explore these questions and more.  Understanding Coolant: Coolant, or antifreeze, is a specially crafted liquid that circulates through your engine, dissipating the heat it generates to maintain the right temperature. Made from a blend of ethylene or propylene glycol and water, coolant not only cools your engine but also protects against corrosion and lubricates the water pump.  Do You Need a Radiator Flush or Cooling System Service? Over time, your car's radiator can collect deposits that impair its efficiency. If these are not addressed, they can obstruct the radiator and lead to engine overheating or even severe damage. A radiator flush or cooling system service cleans these deposits, ensuring your vehicle remains in good condition. Therefore, to maintain your car's performance and longevity, regular radiator flushes and cooling system services are essential.  How Often Should You Perform a Coolant System Flush? The frequency of coolant system flushes varies depending on factors such as your car's model, age, the coolant type, and driving conditions. Generally, experts suggest a flush every 50,000 kms or every five years, whichever is sooner. Nonetheless, it is wise to consult your car's manual or speak with a trusted mechanic for a more tailored schedule.  Consequences of Skipping Radiator Flushing or Servicing: Neglecting radiator flushing or servicing your cooling system can have serious repercussions. Rust and scale deposits can accumulate, blocking the radiator and reducing cooling efficiency, which can lead to engine overheating and significant damage. Old antifreeze may turn acidic, potentially harming the radiator, water pump, and other cooling components. Ultimately, these issues can result in expensive repairs and increase the risk of breakdowns.  Incorporating coolant system flushes into your car's maintenance routine is essential. Just as you wouldn't skip oil changes or tyre rotations, do not ignore your car's cooling system. Overlooking these needs could lead to extensive damage and costly repairs, compromising your safety on the road. Taking proactive measures such as regular radiator flushes or cooling system services helps protect your car, saves money, and ensures a smoother driving experience.  Visit Excellence in Automotive in Bowen for expert assistance with your vehicle's maintenance needs. As an Approved RACQ Repairer, we provide reliable vehicle servicing and repairs as well as provide Breakdown Roadside Assistance and Towing services.

Learn the essentials of radiator flushing for optimal car performance. Discover how Excellence in Automotive in Bowen can help, with RACQ-approved repairs and breakdown assistance.

Essential Information about Flushing Your Car's Radiator

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, Excellence in Automotive to service and repair your vehicle. As a Repco Authorised Service centre, Excellence in Automotive 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 Bowen 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.

Excellence in Automotive - 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. Excellence in Automotive in Bowen 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 Excellence in Automotive in Bowen 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 Excellence in Automotive in Bowen.  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 Excellence in Automotive 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 Bowen. 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.

Excellence in Automotive

Cars are our passion.

Win $100 off your next service!

Essential Information about Flushing Your Car's Radiator

There's a new gas in town

Excellence in Automotive - Our expertise & knowledge

Radiator Coolant

Car Battery Testing and FAQ