What to Do
If in moving traffic:
1) Try to get to breakdown lane.
2) Stop and shut off the engine.
3) Get far away from vehicle – warn oncoming traffic.
4) Call the fire department.
Do not attempt to put the fire out.
Car immobile:
1) Shut of engine.
2) Get far away from vehicle – warn oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
3) Call fire department.
Do not attempt to put the fire out.
Possible Cause
The cause of every carfare is different:
The majority of car fires are caused by mechanical or electrical problems. These are usually caused by a lack of proper maintenance especially in older cars. Fires can also happen in collisions or roll overs – if you are wearing a seat belt the odds are that you will be not as severely injured and be able to safely leave the car.
Older Cars: In older cars it might be faulty brittle wire covering that exposes live wires. The hoses, especially the ones coming from the gas tank might be leaking. If this gasoline comes in contact with a hot surface or spark it might ignite.
Oil Leaks: Oil might leak onto the engine or. other hot parts and cause a fire. Clean any oil spills that might occur during maintenance. Do not try to put out an oil fire with water as the fire might spread.
Running out of Gasoline: Only put gasoline in the tank and do not put a few drops the carburetor. The gasoline in the carburetor might ignite when you turn the ignition – starting an engine fire. This would not apply to fuel injection systems.
Car on Fire: Many parts of a burning car might burn or explode.
- Explode: tires, plastic bumpers (some bumpers are fluid filled), shock absorbers.
- Burn: plastics on modern cars, the liquids that might flow from damaged burning car fabrics and plastics.
- Stand upwind from a burning car to avoid inhaling dangerous fumes.
Stopping Car Fire
If you have and know how to work an extinguisher only try to extinguish a small fire. ln general do not attempt to put the fire out.