by Mike Webb

Created on: January 11, 2008   Last Updated: August 05, 2009

As an automotive technician I have had my share of experiences with car fires. Fire can unfold very quickly on a car especially if it isn't well taken care of. If the vehicle has oil leaks from lack of service it can cause a treacherous condition in a hurry under the hood. The interior of a car is also very susceptible to catching on fire.

But keep your cool and don't panic because there are a number of straightforward steps to take when a car does get on fire. The foremost thing to realize is that you are more important than the car and if the fire can't be put out without difficulty than it's time to distance yourself from the vehicle and notify anyone who may decide to get close to it.

If you are driving down the road and the car is on fire, pull over as quickly as you can to get out of the line of traffic. Shut the engine off, remove your seat belt and start helping anyone else who might be in the car. If the fire is inside the car and you have a fire extinguisher accessible than it would be most likely safe to use it if the fire hasn't gotten out of hand. If the fire is under the hood than you should just leave the car and call the fire department to deal with it.

If you think you can stop a fire under the hood than think again as it will be very challenging to get the hood open with the high temperature. You may fan the flames or even worse get overcome by the fumes and smoke from the fire. There's a good reason why it started under the hood and that is most likely because of a fuel leak of some kind.

If you are not driving the car and find that it is on fire than make sure no one else is around the vehicle and call the fire department immediately. It will be hard to tell what really started the fire and how to deal with by yourself. Once again make certain you alert others in the area to stay away from the vehicle.

Vehicles do come with some safety features to help shield you such as a firewall between the engine and the passenger compartment, but that is mostly there to shelter you from the heat of the engine. All vehicles are required to have a rollover safety valve at the fuel tank to keep gas from spilling in case the car gets turned over in a crash. Unless the tank gets punctured this is a terrific safety feature.

I have had vehicles catch on fire from a short in the wiring inside the passenger compartment with which I was able to contain it with a fire extinguisher that was within reach. I have also had fires under the hood

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