What Causes Car Fires?

   

 

 Just yesterday, I was driving to the airport and noticed that the westbound traffic was at a standstill. Up ahead, past a sea of oncoming cars, and flashing emergency lights, I saw a cloud of billowing ugly black smoke.
The huge car fire that I soon passed seemed to be the result of an SUV rear ending a small sports car. It was simply terrifying to witness.

So what causes car fires?

 AAA and the National Fire Protection Association states that there are over 200,000 car fires every year or on average 31 highway vehicle fires per hour! "The risk of a car or vehicle fire is even greater than the risk of an apartment fire. More people die in vehicle fires than in apartment fires each year in the United States, " said AAA President Robert Darblenet.

Surprisingly, 75 percent of car fires are not caused by accidents, but by poor maintenance. One horrific example was a mechanical problem which caused a limousine to ignite killing 5 nurses in California.
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/19/20093744-horrific-limo-fire-that-killed-5-california-nurses-was-accidental-say-investigators?lite

There are at least six flammable fluids under the hood of your car that can leak onto hot surfaces and start a fire. So fuel lines, hoses, caps and filters should be checked and maintained to prevent leaks.

If a car catches on fire, experts say, most injuries and deaths can be avoided by moving 100 feet away. Firefighters advise NEVER opening the hood to fight the inferno yourself because it only feeds oxygen to the flames, making a car fire even more dangerous.

To reduce the risk of a vehicle fire, AAA makes these recommendations:

*Have your vehicles inspected at least annually by a trained, professional technician. At Leighton's Garage, these inspections are free of charge with any routine maintenance.

*Watch for fluid leaks under vehicles, cracked or blistered hoses or wires that are loose. Have any of these conditions inspected and repaired as soon as possible.

*Be alert to changes in the way your vehicles sounds when running, or to a visible plume of exhaust coming from the tailpipe. Louder than usual exhaust tone, smoke coming from the tailpipe or a backfiring exhaust could mean problems or damage to the exhaust and emission control system on the vehicle. Have your vehicle inspected and repaired as soon as possible if you suspect a problem.

*Drive according to posted speed limits ad traffic rules. Remain alert to changing road conditions at all times.



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http://abcnew.go.come/Business/Autos