Tips on how to prevent vehicle fires

Apart from the onset of summer, March is also the National Fire Prevention Month for the Philippines. The aforementioned was declared via Proclamation No. 115-A way back in 1966, and has since been spearheaded by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). 

But while most fire prevention initiatives by the BFP concern structural fires, it is known that cars can catch fire too. 

This comes as no surprise, since most cars on the road right now are internal combustion models that rely on a series of tiny explosions caused by introducing an electrical charge into fossil fuels to run. 

In the same vein, even electrified vehicles that are equipped by high-voltage batteries can also see fires via “thermal runaway,” physical battery damage, water damage, or manufacturing defects. 

So, how does one prevent car fires? Let’s find out via this short but handy guide based on guidelines published by the BFP. 

Make sure nothing is leaking

One way to make sure your car won’t catch fire is to check for leaks. This applies not just to fuel but also to engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, and brake fluid. In some instances, some types of windshield washer fluid can also combust, as these may contain alcohol. 

Coolant can also become flammable in some cases, where it is heated to extremely high temperatures. In this case, the water component has already evaporated, leaving ethylene glycol, which is highly combustible. 

To find out if one’s car is leaking, park it over a (relatively) clean surface overnight. In the morning, move the car and check for puddles or drips left by the car. Usually, engine oil ranges from brown to black. Transmission fluid is usually red or brown, while coolant is usually a bright color. Brake fluid can be yellow or dark orange. 

Fuel, thankfully, is the easiest to detect due to its strong odor. This applies to both gasoline and diesel. 

Once a leak is detected, we urge car owners to take their vehicle to a shop immediately. If you smell fuel while driving, stop immediately and turn off the engine. Do not drive the car again, and make sure to get it towed to a shop. And no, you can’t just put duct tape over a fuel tank leak. It must be removed from the vehicle, drained, and then welded or patched with epoxy-based repair kits, depending on the damage. 

Clean your engine bay

Sometimes, however, leaks do not actually reach the floor surface and are instead collected within the car, typically in the engine bay. But to find out whether this is happening, one must have a clean engine bay. 

A clean engine bay also prevents the collection of (potentially) flammable debris or liquids that have accumulated over the years. 

Dried-out debris (organic matter or otherwise), after all, can ignite, especially if it comes into contact with hot engine surfaces. Making sure the engine bay is clean may also help prevent electrical shorts and improve heat dissipation in a car’s cooling system - two things that, if ignored, can also cause vehicular fires. 

To properly clean your engine bay, sources like Gulf Oil International share the following:

• Wash your car if it has already had time to cool off
• Disconnect the car battery
• Cover sensitive electrical components

Some tools you’ll need for a thorough cleaning include soapy water, a variety of brushes, microfiber cloths, and a degreaser spray. 

Do be aware that using a high-powered pressure washer on your engine bay as it may damage sensitive components. 

Proper installation of modifications

A stock car with its standard electronic equipment will have a lower chance of catching fire than a modified car with aftermarket electronics. This is because a car’s standard array of electronic equipment (touchscreen, speakers, etc.) was incorporated into the design and engineering of a car. 

Sure, a dashcam is fine as it uses minimal power, but powerful aftermarket speakers, larger touchscreen displays, and aftermarket LED exterior lighting fixtures might need some extra work to be properly installed. So, if you’re the type who really wants (or need) these modifications, you better approach a specialist. 

In the same vein, one should regularly check for arcing inside the engine bay. Arcing is when high-voltage electricity escapes its normal pathways (wires) and out into the open. These can be easily detected when starting the car in the dark. If you see arcing, replace those wires immediately. 

Also, one should check whether your car is properly grounded. For this, consult your owner's manual to locate your car's ground cable, and give it a visual inspection. 

Avoid storing combustibles inside car

Apart from keeping your engine bay clean, car owners should also strive to keep their interiors clean. This means getting rid of accumulated trash (receipts, food wrappers) on a regular basis. Vacuuming can also do wonders too. 

One should also avoid storing liquids inside the car if one can help it. This includes fuel, oil, car cleaning fluids, and brake fluid - among others. 

It is also ideal to refrain from leaving glass or plastic bottles in the car, as they can magnify sunlight, especially if filled with liquid. And yes, even if these won’t burn your car to a crisp outright, it might cause damage on your plastic interior components. 

A good must-have: a fire extinguisher

The last tip is to store a fire extinguisher inside your car. No, we are not talking about those large ones for buildings, but rather specialized ones designed for cars. These come in compact bottles with formulations (usually ABC Dry Powder) that can put out fires caused by flammable liquids and electrical fires. 

Final thoughts

To note, all of the tips mentioned above apply to both fossil fuel cars and electric vehicles (EV). Do be aware, however, that EV fires behave differently in that batteries, with their high capacity storage, can sometimes reignite. 

But with all that said, here are some handy tips to help prevent vehicle fires. 

Also read:

How to prepare your car for summer

Here are ways to avoid road rage

How to prepare your motorcycles for the rainy season

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