What Causes Car Fires?
Photo by David Henry from Pexels (What Causes Car Fires?)
Car fires look very dramatic in movies and TV shows. But what’s the reality behind them in real life? In this guide, we will take a closer look at what causes car fires.
The 5 likely causes of car fires include fuel leaks, electrical faults, engine overheating, automobile collisions, and flammable items in the vehicle that ignite. In addition, sparks and excess heat can ignite flammable materials. Plus, heat can cause aerosol cans, batteries in electronic devices, and other flammable items to explode and burn.
Keep reading as we dive deeper into what causes car fires. We’ve even added a few tips on preventing car fires and how to react if one happens to your vehicle.
Let’s get started.
What Causes Car Fires?
Here are 5 of the most likely causes behind most car fires:
#1 Fuel Leak
One of the most apparent and easy-to-guess reasons for a car fire is leaking petrol or diesel.
Unfortunately, there are several parts in your car where a leak can form. They include:
The fuel tank - The part that stores fuel onboard your vehicle.
Fuel lines - The parts that carry fuel from the tank to the engine.
Fuel injectors - The components that spray fuel inside the engine cylinders.
Gas tank cap - The cap seals the filler neck and prevents vapours from coming out.
And others.
A fuel leak can cause a fire in a parked or moving car regardless. Automotive fuel will ignite by itself when experiencing temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius, though a tiny spark is all it takes to cause the same to happen.
You can prevent this from happening by acting quickly if you ever smell or suspect your car has a fuel leak. Contact your preferred mechanic immediately to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
#2 Electrical Faults
Faults in the vehicle’s electrical system can also lead to fires. Some of those faults include short circuits and power surges.
Firstly, an electrical fault can create sparks that ignite leaking fuel, as we’ve seen in the previous example above.
However, those faults can also cause components to overheat to the point that they burn or explode. For example, damaged headlights can short-circuit and quickly overheat, leading to flames on the vehicle’s front.
Besides that, a faulty car battery can produce highly-explosive hydrogen gas. If that gas doesn’t escape, it will reach a concentration that’s enough to cause an explosion in your car’s engine compartment.
You can prevent some electrical faults by replacing or repairing the affected part as soon as possible. However, more complex electrical problems will require the attention of a qualified technician.
#3 Overheating Engine
Everyone knows that the internal combustion engine is prone to overheating. That’s true regardless of the fuel type or engine size.
An overheating engine can cause a wide range of problems. But, unfortunately, one of the most severe problems it can cause is a car fire.
When your car engine overheats, it can cause one of its many flammable fluids to ignite and start a car fire.
Remember: your car engine contains lots of flammable fluids inside, like:
Petrol or diesel fuel.
Coolant.
Engine oil.
Power steering fluid.
Transmission fluid.
And many more.
Engine overheating occurs because of a failure in the cooling system, like a radiator leak or damage to the radiator and water pump. So, the best way to prevent this from happening is always to ensure that your engine cooling system is in tip-top shape.
#4 Collisions
Manufacturers design modern automobiles with safety in mind. For example, joints and other connections carrying fuel are strong enough to prevent leaks.
A minor fender bender won’t do anything to cause a leak or fire, so don’t worry too much.
However, a severe automobile collision can still trigger a car fire despite all of that. That’s because the massive impact will cause fuel and other fluids to leak. Then, friction or electrical damage could cause a spark that ignites those fluids to trigger a car fire.
#5 Flammable Items Onboard
It’s also essential to remember faulty vehicle components don’t always cause that car fires. Instead, a fire can happen if flammable items inside the car ignite due to sparks or overheating.
For example, aerosol cans and cigarette lighters left inside a car can overheat under the Malaysian sun and explode, causing a fire from within the vehicle’s cabin. The same can also happen when those items are inside the car boot.
These days, though, we must all be wary of keeping electronic items inside our cars. Those devices have batteries that can also explode and cause a fire inside the vehicle.
After all, it’s not uncommon to see Malaysian news headlines about power banks that overheat and explode inside cars.
What Should You Do If Your Car Is On Fire?
When you notice that your car is on fire, you must act quickly. Here are the initial safety steps you can take:
If you’re driving, stop the car on the side of the road and shut off the engine.
Exit the vehicle and stay a safe distance away from the car.
Call the fire brigade.
Remember to never go back to the vehicle to collect any personal items, as it’s too dangerous. The fire isn’t the only danger, as you can also get hurt from inhaling smoke and other hazardous fumes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some other frequently asked questions about car fires:
Are Car Fires Common?
Thousands of car fires happen in Malaysia each year. So, they are relatively common and worth preparing against.
Where Do Most Vehicle Fires Start?
Most vehicle fires start in the engine due to a component fault and inside the cabin due to human error. However, it’s important to remember that vehicle fires can start wherever combustible fluids or materials are.
Will A Car Explode If On Fire?
It’s rare for a car to explode if it catches fire. Although less probable, an explosion is still a minor possibility when an ideal combination of fire, oxygen, and gas is present at the same time.
Can A Parked Car Catch Fire?
Yes, it can. A car doesn’t have to be running to catch on fire. For instance, direct sunlight on a parked vehicle can cause aerosol cans or electronic devices to explode. Besides that, a fuel leak could also ignite due to excess heat or sparks and start a car fire.