How Do Car Fires Start?

While there are a lot of ways that we prepare for safe driving, seat belts, air bags, regular tune ups and vehicle inspections, many motorists give little thought to the possibility of a car fire.  The truth is, a car on fire is one of the most common calls the fire rescue department is called to respond to.  By the time they arrive on the scene for the majority of these calls, the car is completely engulfed in flames.  While it is likely you will not escape with your car, you can at least make sure you can escape with your life.  Tragically, there are many deaths from car fires each year, hopefully, by taking steps to prevent fire and by taking the proper steps if a fire does break out, you can prevent a tragedy in your family.

While it may not always be possible to prevent car fires, by identifying the most common causes, you will better know what to look for in your own car and take the necessary precautions to reduce the likelihood of the fire occurring.  Many fires commonly start in the exhaust system, particularly in the manifold.  The manifold is at a higher susceptibility for fire because it reaches a higher temperature than any other part of the exhaust system.  The majority of these fires, however, start in the engine.  One of the leading causes of engine fire is a fluid leak although faulty carburetors or catalytic converters can also pose a serious fire hazard as well.  Short circuits are also a possible cause, although usually short circuits only cause a fire if combines with water or another engine fluid.  For tractor trailers, brakes can also cause fires, and while it has been known to occur in passenger cars, it is much less likely than it is with tractor trailers or big trucks of that nature.

It is believed though that carelessly discarded cigarettes are the second leading cause of car fires, behind only engine fires.  Smokers are not always known for being especially careful with their cigarette butts, and that is no different with their cars.  Sometimes the fire starts when a cigarette is accidentally dropped while a driver or passenger is smoking, but often, fires start when a cigarette butt is not thrown all of the way out of the window.  Many of us do not exactly keep out cars tidy, so the discarded cigarette butt may catch fire to a fast food napkin, or an old cardboard fast food box or it may catch on another paper product on the floor.  Fires started on car upholstery are fairly rare although if you are a smoker, chances are good there is at least one cigarette hole in at least one of your car seats.  There have even been reported cases of fires beginning in the ashtray of the car or from the cigarette lighter.

It is important to remember that gas or oil as well as many other car fluids may cause the fire to spread very quickly.  Additionally, in the case of cars with a front bumper equipped with a gas shock absorber or gas struts, explosions may result if either of these things is exposed too much heat.  The shock or strut may then become a projectile making it dangerous in and of itself.

As mentioned above, there are many factors that could lead to a car fire, but the best prevention is to get your car checked out on a regular basis.  Think of it as taking your child to the doctor for its check ups.  The child might not be happy about it, and depending on whether or not there is anything that needs to be fixed or replaced, you likely will not be happy either.  Sometimes these check ups can be expensive but when you consider the benefits in the long run, it is worth it.  Make sure your mechanic gives your car a complete look over: the plugs, fluids, and valves, so that you are sure your car has been fully inspected.  Planning these check ups before you take a long road trip is a great idea as well.

If you are not able to get to your mechanic on a regular basis, learn how to give your car a basic check up on your own.  Checking the fuel lines is the most important step in these check ups.  You will be looking for any cracking or degradation in the hoses themselves and if you are concerned, have someone check them for you.  If you have old fuel lines in your car, either replace of have them replaced with new hoses.  Gasoline has changed in time.  There is ethanol in most gasoline today which was not true in years passed.  Older fuel lines were not meant to stand up to this new addition.  This means older fuel line hoses are not as tolerant of ethanol as their more modern counterparts.

If you are concerned about car fires, you can invest in a car fire extinguisher, such as the First Alert Tundra® Fire Extinguisher Spray available at Wal-Mart®.  Make sure you mount this extinguisher somewhere you can easily get to it in case of an emergency.  You do not want to have it rolling around in your car and you also do not want to have to dig through your glove box for it if there is a fire.  Mount it between the front seats or even under the front seat.  Just make sure it is mounted in one spot where it is easy to get to when you need it.

Although you may be in shock, if you have just survived a car fire, it is important to think ahead.  The insurance company is going to need information from you and you should do your best to collect it.  Take pictures of the fire from a safe distance as well as any other property that was damaged.  If you were visibly injured, take photos of your injuries.  Write down the date, time, and location by the nearest intersection, and the weather conditions.  When you call your insurance company after the accident, be sure you ask for all forms you will need and ask the specifics of your policy: what it covers and what it does not.

Finally, if there is only minor damage to your car, make sure you do not have it repaired until your insurance representative or a lawyer has done an examination of the car.  This will help determine the next step and help you decide whether you should sell or fix the car.

If you need more information or have any questions, this is an excellent site that takes you through the steps you need to take during and after a car fire.  http://www.whathappensnow.com/getHelp.cfm?cat=2&sub=1.