Common Mistakes That Causes Car Fire

A fire accident in car is disastrous and can result in grievous injuries, fatalities, high-intensity explosions, and out of control inferno. Even though a car fire is a rare occurrence, it is essential for all drivers to understand the prime causes behind a car fire and learn all the necessary steps to prevent a car fire.

A car fire is dangerous when a car is in motion and it gets difficult for the driver to instantaneously stop the vehicle and go as far away as possible. A car fire in a parking lot, drive-in-theatre, drive-thru, or traffic jam can be devastating as an uncontrollable fire and a resulting explosion can affect all other vehicles adjacent to the blazing car.

The recent Texas truck fire, which was captured in a cam recording on February 11, 2017 at about 9.15 p.m. local time, is a proof that how vehicle fire can be catastrophic. Luckily, no one was injured in this accident, however, it is incredibly rare for a vehicle fire of this magnitude.

The Texas truck fire was caused due to the problems in the engine, which automatically started burning and started the fire.

More often than not, a car fire is caused due to human mistakes and negligence rather than mechanical failure.

Some common mistakes that cause car fire are listed below:

1. Improper maintenance

A majority of car fires could have been avoided in the first place if the vehicle owners had focused on maintenance on a regular basis. Many car fires are caused due to leaky seals, defective wiring, and faulty parts. The car owners who are lazy about maintenance are likely to witness car fires than the owners who are proactive about maintenance and take good care of their vehicles. It is essential for car owners to understand that any defective wiring can come contact with inflammable materials and spark an explosion, an engine with a poor gasket can leak inflammable and hazardous fluids.

2. Spilled inflammable materials and fluids

It is important for car owners to know that most fire accidents occur due to spilled inflammable materials and fluids under the hood. Even though a majority of liquid-related fire accidents begin under the hood, some fires can start from any part of vehicle triggered by brake fluid and fuel. Car owners must ensure that their vehicles are free from any spilled inflammable materials and fluids and perform safe driving practices and regular maintenance.

3. Smoking inside the car

Smoking is not only injurious for your health but it is catastrophic for you, your fellow passengers, and other vehicle owners if you are taking the puffs inside your car. This is a mistake that many car owners tend to overlook but the consequences are devastating. Chain smokers or nicotine-dependent folks can pull over their vehicles and smoke their vehicles outside in case they crave for a puff. Smoking e-cigarettes is a good alternative to conventional cigarettes, cigars, or cigarillos, as they don’t create sparks.

4. Defects in vehicle design

Even though it is difficult to identify a hazardous design, it is necessary for all car owners to search for any possible defects and address those defects in right time. Car owners are increasingly remodeling their cars and altering designs of their vehicles to appeal to their tastes. However, if the design is not proper it can result in a major fire mishap in the vehicle. It is recommended for owners to remodel their vehicles from a reputed designer who can design the cars in a safe manner.

5. Overheating of the engine

When an engine is overheated it makes the inflammable liquids such as coolant, engine oil, etc, increase to dangerous temperatures and they start to leak from their areas of circulation. When the liquids leak from their areas of circulation and make their way towards the engine bay and exhaust system, they fall on other heated components that result in fire. Hence, car owners should be careful not to overheat the engines of their vehicles and allow their engines to cool for some time after a long journey.

Vehicle owners should be careful enough to take all the requisite measures to prevent fire inside their vehicles to occur and should identify the signs that can cause their vehicles to go up in flames from the very beginning. With a little alertness and carefulness, vehicle owners can avert fire mishaps and accidents.

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Katie Smith

Investigator at Auto Fire & Safety Consultant

Katie Smith is a fire expert and her areas of interests and expertise include forensic science and accident or crime scene investigation related matters. She is associated with Auto Fire & Safety Consultant and often conducts fire investigation in Houston. Blogging is her hobby and she is also a consultant blogger, having well-accepted write-ups on a wide range of topics, such as general safety, security and safety equipment.