Why Cars Catch Fire? Common Causes of Car Fires
We have all seen or heard about a car catching fire. While it may be considered once in a blue moon type of thing, it is clearly not. Car fires are quite common in the UAE and around the world. There are various reasons for it. It is precisely what we will be talking about in this article. Pay attention & keep an eye out for these points to prevent car fires.
1. Electrical Fires
It is one of the leading causes of a vehicle fire. Electrical fires can be caused by faulty wiring and installation of low-quality aftermarket parts. Although safety components like fuses are installed in your vehicle, they wear out over time. It is why one must maintain their vehicle correctly.
Moreover, one must refrain from installing aftermarket parts which are not compatible with your car (e.g. lights or entertainment systems). If you are passionate about modifying your car, you must always use a trusted source. Installation must also be done by professionals. An unqualified person will play around with the wiring, thereby, damaging it.
2. Overheated Engines
An overheated engine leads to fire in most cases. That is why when you are learning to drive, you will always be advised to keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If the temperature starts to increase, pull the car over and let it cool down. Check if all the critical fluids are at optimal levels. If you are unsure about anything, seek professional help.
3. Plastic Bottles
Imagine leaving a plastic bottle in your car under direct sunlight. It does not sound harmless, right? Well, it is one of the most dangerous & foolish things to do. As kids, you might have experimented with a magnifying glass, holding it under direct sunlight & lighting up a twig or something similar.
The same reasoning applies to the plastic water bottle. When you leave a plastic bottle in your car under direct sunlight, the plastic acts as a lens. It converts the sunlight into a powerful beam. This beam is potent enough to burn vehicle parts like seats or floor mats, causing the whole car to catch fire.
4. Smoking
Many countries have made it illegal to smoke inside a vehicle. Even if it not forbidden, it is one of the most irresponsible things to do. It diverts your attention from driving & can lead to accidents. At the same time, you are damaging your health & those of your passengers. Moreover, smoking can cause car fires as the ash may fall on an electrical component or any other flammable part of the car.
5. Fuel & Oil Leak
Fuel & oil leaks are among the leading causes of a vehicle fire. We usually tend to downplay these leaks, but due to their flammable nature, all it takes is one spark. That one spark can quickly reduce your vehicle to ashes. Therefore, always pay close attention to such leaks & get them checked right away.
6. Lack of Maintenance
The reason for maintaining your vehicle is not just to prolong its life & enjoy maximum performance. The focus is also to ensure that all the vehicle components are safe for use. Normal wear & tear can cause various vehicular components to degrade, effectively rendering them unsafe for use.
Through regular maintenance, you can replace such components before they cause any damage. If you fail to properly maintain your vehicle, such parts will be used beyond their capacity & likely lead to an accident. Moreover, you can also identify leaks or cracks in your pipes through regular inspection. Leaks & cracks in pipes may very well lead to fire hazards in the future.
Final Thoughts
This concludes our article today. We hope that you find the information useful & strive to incorporate it into your daily lives. Remember, it is better to be safe than sorry. Always maintain your vehicle properly & seek professional help at the first sign of trouble.