9 common causes of car fires.

(Baonghean.vn) - Any car, whether new or old, has the potential to cause electrical short circuits and fires. Knowing how to prevent them will help you avoid unfortunate accidents.

According to experts, car fires have many causes, but they are mainly attributed to the following factors.

1. Design flaw from the manufacturer.

A loose pipe connector, a loose screw, a poorly sealed fuel cap... these can cause fuel or other liquids to leak, and combined with sparks from worn insulation in wiring, can lead to disaster.

2. The exhaust pipe is leaking.

An improperly sealed or corroded exhaust pipe allows hot exhaust gases to leak in and ignite flammable materials under the vehicle, such as straw or paper. Note that washing the car when the exhaust pipe is hot will contribute to faster corrosion.

3. Neglect of maintenance

Neglecting maintenance isn't as dangerous as lighting a match or throwing a wick into a gas tank; however, this careless mistake puts your car in a dangerous condition and increases the risk of fire.

4. Power system overload

Overloading the electrical system is also a major cause of many car fires; many car owners install additional electrical equipment not included in the car's original design without proper control, causing the electrical system to overload. In addition, loose electrical connections or non-specialized wiring are also potential causes of car fires and explosions.

In some cases, through various repair processes, car owners replace fire-resistant materials such as foam panels and partitions with other materials of substandard quality, thus increasing the risk of fire.

5. Fuel leaks

This is the biggest cause of car fires. Gasoline can easily ignite with a spark at just 7.2 degrees Celsius. The best way to minimize the risk is to have your car regularly serviced and maintained.

6. Engine overheating

An overheated engine won't spontaneously combust, but rubber or plastic seals can fail, allowing engine fluids like fuel, oil, and coolant to leak out. When these droplets fall onto other hot parts, such as the exhaust pipe, they can ignite.

7. Power steering fluid leak.

When the steering system malfunctions, power steering fluid will spray into the exhaust manifold. Because the temperature of the exhaust gases inside is very high, around 600 to 700 degrees Celsius, the power steering fluid can ignite. This is also a cause of vehicle fires and explosions.

8. Catalyst converter

The catalytic converter is the hottest part because the combustion of CO and unburned fuel into the environment takes place here.

Normally, catalytic converters only heat up to between 648.9 and 871.1 degrees, but when the engine is running inefficiently, the temperature can rise to 1093.3 degrees. This not only causes the catalytic converter to fail prematurely but also burns the surrounding insulation, spreading the heat to other components.

9. Car collision

Depending on the extent of the impact, a car crash can cause a fire. Most protective areas, such as the front and rear bumpers, are designed to be quite robust to protect internal components like the engine, battery, or fuel tank.

However, with strong impacts, fluids can easily leak, and the heat and smoke create conditions that can easily cause a car fire. The best course of action in this case is to get away from the damaged vehicle as quickly as possible.

Ngoc Anh

(Synthetic)