10 Solutions To Prevent Car Fires and Explosions on Hot Days

We can easily feel that the global climate is getting hotter and it will reach its peak during the summer. This leads to an increase in fires and vehicle explosions with alarming numbers.

Are you someone who frequently has to travel outdoors under hot weather conditions (such as drivers, ride-share drivers, long-haul drivers, transportation workers)? Does your vehicle always have to be left outside in hot weather? There are various reasons for this, such as your workplace not having indoor parking, your family not having a garage yet, and many other reasons.

Let's apply the following 10 solutions from Carcover.com to ensure the safety of your vehicle and avoid unfortunate fire and explosion accidents.

1. Limit the excessive electrical load

According to statistics, the majority of car fires are caused by electrical faults. This can be attributed to various factors such as poor quality wiring, degradation over time, and especially the additional load imposed on the electrical system by aftermarket accessories like lights, audio systems, cameras, etc.

Furthermore, during modifications, many wire segments are cut, spliced, wrapped, etc., leading to rapid deterioration of the wiring system, especially when exposed to high temperatures. This is one of the causes of explosions and fires in vehicles.

Therefore, vehicle owners should minimize the installation of unnecessary electrical devices in their cars.

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2. Regular maintenance

Regular maintenance, oil changes, and checking for any loose parts are essential for maintaining a good vehicle. Proper maintenance and oil changes also help reduce potential risks, including the risk of the vehicle catching fire. One of the common causes of vehicle fires is fuel leakage. The fuel lines, made of rubber, lose elasticity over time due to the engine's heat, leading to cracks and fuel dripping, increasing the risk of a fire. These issues can also be addressed during the maintenance and repair process.

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3. Check and use coolant correctly

Coolant is an extremely important component in regulating the temperature of your vehicle. If there is a lack of coolant or if the coolant used does not meet the standard, it can cause your vehicle to overheat and reduce its performance.

A sudden increase in temperature inside the engine compartment, combined with fuel leakage during operation, can pose a risk of explosion.

To ensure safety, before each long journey, you should take 1-2 minutes to inspect your vehicle, with special attention to the coolant.

4. Ensure standard fuel quality

Many experts believe that many vehicle fires are caused by poor fuel quality. When a vehicle uses low-quality fuel, it not only hampers engine performance but also increases the temperature in the engine compartment.

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5. Regularly clean the engine compartment

Debris, dry leaves, paper scraps, lint, and other flammable materials can get sucked into and hide in the nooks and crannies of the engine. During long hours of operation, combined with hot sunny weather, the temperature inside the engine compartment can reach several hundred degrees Celsius, making it susceptible to ignition when in contact with these materials.

To protect your vehicle, open the hood and clean the engine compartment regularly whenever possible.

6. Do not keep perfume bottles, air fresheners, or lighters in the car

When a car is parked in the sun, the temperature inside the cabin can reach 65-70 degrees Celsius. Items such as perfume bottles, air fresheners, and especially butane lighters can explode under such high temperatures. Therefore, it is highly advised not to leave these items inside the car.

7. Do not smoke while driving

This may seem obvious, but many drivers have the habit of smoking while driving. Burning cigarette butts can fall out and potentially cause a fire. Drivers should also ensure that the gas cap is tightly closed to prevent leaks.

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8. Allow the car to rest during long journeys

On hot sunny days, the car is subjected to high temperatures radiating from the road surface. Therefore, if you're going on a long trip, let your car "rest" every 70-100 kilometers. When the engine is turned off and the car is parked in a shaded area for about 20 minutes, the temperature in the engine compartment will decrease by 50%. This not only improves the car's performance but also reduces the risk of fire or explosion, while keeping the driver more alert during long journeys.

9. When the car emits smoke, do not open the hood

If, unfortunately, your car is emitting smoke from the hood while in motion, absolutely do not open the hood, as doing so inadvertently supplies oxygen, fueling the flames.

Stay calm and cool down the car using a fire extinguisher, sand, soil, or non-flammable materials. At the same time, quickly evacuate everyone away from the car immediately.

10. Use Carcover.com's aluminum-coated outdoor car cover

Car covers are a good method if your car has to be parked outdoors. Along with car covers, you can use heat insulation films. When choosing car covers, you should opt for ones with good heat dissipation or high UV resistance. The best option is multi-layered car covers with aluminum coating, as they prevent direct sunlight from reaching your car, reducing the risk of combustion.

Emergency Firefighting Methods

In the event of unforeseen incidents leading to a fire or explosion, vehicle owners can minimize damage and the risk of further spread by following these steps:

• When discovering flames, smoke, or abnormal high temperatures, remain calm, pull over to the roadside, and keep a safe distance from people and flammable materials.
• Turn off the ignition, try to shut off the fuel tank (if possible).
• Call for help and alert others to assist in firefighting efforts, and contact the fire department or emergency services.
• If fuel has spilled outside (intense fire), use fire extinguishers, sand, blankets, buckets, water-soaked fabric to extinguish the flames. It is important to aim and direct the firefighting agents into the corners and crevices to put out the fire. Once the flames are extinguished, continue applying the firefighting agents and take measures to cool down the vehicle's components as fuel leaks exposed to high temperatures can cause fire or explosion.
• Immediately turn off the ignition switch under the hood to stop fuel from being pumped to the engine.
• In the case of fires in parking lots or vehicle storage areas, call the fire brigade and then use other available means to suppress the fire. Also, ensure that the burning vehicle is isolated from other vehicles.
• If it is determined that the fire cannot be extinguished, it is advisable to move away to avoid the risk of explosion from the fuel tank causing accidents.

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