most all of the vehicles fires could be avoidable if we just perform proper maintenance. But time and money are not always on our side, and we often skip services intending to have them performed as soon as we can – but days turn into months and then it is easy to forget vehicle maintenance altogether…until something happens. To minimize risks for vehicle fires, have your car checked out at every oil service. Every vehicle has a maintenance service interval schedule that is recommended service by the vehicle manufacturer – and sticking to the recommendations can help to lower risks for vehicle fires in addition to a whole lot of other vehicle problems. Keep in mind though, that a lot of fuel components are impossible to see without removing items or shields to gain access to them. For a few of these parts, in some vehicle models, it can even take more than an hour of labor to get to the point where the parts are accessed. That is why if you ever have any needed repairs around these areas, it is a good idea to have them checked while the mechanic has accessed that area of your car. Also, fuel O-rings are not maintenance items, and in many cases fuel injectors are not either. But professionals know that they only last so long and become safety concerns after a certain point. O-rings usually start to show their age at around 60,000 miles
And one last thing, if your car starts to overheat, don’t push it – especially in the summer. A car engine is already at an extremely high temperature, add high outdoor temperatures plus overheating and things can happen real fast. The best thing you can do is to pull over quickly – to the nearest area you can safety pull over – and turn the car off. Then get it to a repair shop.


WHAT TP DO IF YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE So, there’s a car on fire – what to do? Don’t be a hero. Turn off the car and get out. Remember, vehicle fires erupt fast, and include a myriad of toxic fumes that can overcome you in as little as two breaths. Just get out of the car, and don’t go back in. Your purse, cell phone, wallet etc. just aren’t worth your life. What about using a fire extinguisher? Even though everyone should have a first alert auto fire extinguisher in their car, the chances of you being able to get to it in time are small and, again, not worth it. If you do not have experience fighting car fires, then don’t attempt it. Leave it to the professionals. And, if the fire is near the front of the car, or under the hood, lifting the hood is the absolute worst thing you can do because you are introducing more oxygen to the fire and you are potentially exposing yourself to extremely toxic fumes and sparks. So please, if your car ever catches on fire – just get out. Someone nearby will be able to call emergency responders. Be safe out there!

Falling all that, ensure you have the basic insurance cover (to include fire).