Top 10 Reasons For Cars Catching Fire

10. Design Flaw:

This is a rare but very much a possible way that a car or vehicle may catch fire. There are possibilities that car manufacturers itself can get it wrong sometimes. Cars that are reported with such a case are rectified by the company as soon as possible. Vehicles with this kind of danger will be recalled immediately before anyone is seriously injured.

9. Lack Of Maintenance:

Lack of maintaining a vehicle is another reason your beloved wheels can go up in smoke. Vehicles need to be checked and serviced at regular intervals. Every vehicle has different service intervals set by the manufacturer.

8. Crashes:

One very highly dangerous reason. When a car is involved in an accident, it can puncture the fuel tank or any other part of the car that can cause fire instantaneously. Leaking fuel and shorting wires are the ultimate recipe for a fire.

7. Aftermarket Accessories:

Many car manufacturers do not recommend aftermarket accessories for a reason. Many such acessories draw electricity or power from the vehicle's original wiring which is meant for a totally different reason. They might run on a different fuse capacity or just that wiring could be left exposed which could create a spark and then a fire. Get aftermarket accessories from a well known or a reliable dealer.

6. Overheating Catalytic Converters:

The exhaust system of the vehicles and Catalytic converters emit tremendous amount of heat. This could inturn start melting plastic body parts like the bumpers or side skirts and can result in a catastrophic ball of fire. The sensible way to avoid something like this is to again, keep your vehicle checked at regular intervals and while on long journeys, take some time to let vehicle parts cool off.

Aftermarket bumpers and body kits may add to the risk because although they look fancy, they might cut down air supply required to keep hot parts cool.

5. Overheating Engine:

Now this is a problem to worry about. Once the engine overheats, hot, boiling liquids tend to leak and come in contact with other parts of the car and the result-fire. This is a classic example of how one mistake or ignorance causes a chain reaction and then a disaster. A car that is not maintained well could have issues with the engine which will cause the engine to overheat, leaking fluids and thus resulting in a big ball of fire.

4. Leaking Fluids:

Fluids can rise to very high temperatures while the engine is running. Fluids like the coolant and oil can spill and come in contact with other hot parts of the engine of plastic body parts of the car and catch a fire. A good way to avoid this is to ensure hoses and reservoirs that contain these liquids are well sealed and damage free.

3. Electricals:

This is a common problem or rather a culprit in most fire accidents. There is a lot happening in the car in regards to electricals. The vehicle is using current from the battery and then generating electricity again thet charges the battery. So there are many wires involved. One worn out wire or a naked wire that is live can cause the fire that could turn out to be a big disaster. Keep wires well insulated and get them checked to avoid a fire accident.

2. Fuel Leak:

Fuel is a very, very flammable substance. If it comes in contact with anything like plastic, metal, rubber or just about anything, the time for disaster can never be quicker. Make sure there are no leaks in the fuel line. Never try squeezing more fuel than what the vehicle can hold. Keep anything that is flammable away from fuel.

1. Smoking In The Vehicle:

Might not sound very dangerous but try dropping a lit matchstick or a cigarette butt on the seat without your knowledge, you would end up having another smoke because of the tension and dismay that your previous cigarette has left your car in a big ball of fire! A sensible way around this is to pull over, get out of the car and then smoke.