What are the causes of car spontaneous combustion?
2 Answers
Electrical leakage, grounding, oil leakage, excessive contact resistance, carburetor backfire, mechanical friction ignition, and improper parking position can all cause car spontaneous combustion. Among spontaneous combustion accidents caused by circuit failures, the main cause is grounding. More information on car spontaneous combustion is as follows: 1. Short circuit: Installing electrical appliances or modifying circuits in cars, due to installer errors or rough construction, can cause short circuits leading to fires. Aging of vehicle electrical components and wiring, coupled with lack of inspection and maintenance by users, can also easily lead to short circuits and fires. 2. Loose wiring connections: Aging engine fuel lines and improper replacement of fuel lines and other components can cause fuel leakage. When encountering short circuits or aging electrical components producing open flames, it can easily ignite gasoline, causing a fire. Loose wiring connections and excessive local resistance generate heat, causing the wiring connections to overheat and ignite combustible materials. 3. Grounding: Many new car owners may install anti-theft devices, upgrade to high-end audio systems, modify the car's appearance, or add air conditioning. These actions can be reasons for wiring grounding and are also one of the causes of car spontaneous combustion.
With over a decade of experience in auto repair, I've witnessed numerous spontaneous combustion incidents, primarily stemming from electrical circuit issues. As vehicles age, the insulation on wires deteriorates, making them prone to short circuits and fires, especially at loose connection points where heat builds up quickly. Fuel line leaks are another major hazard—for instance, gasoline dripping onto a hot exhaust pipe can ignite with just a spark. Improper modifications pose even greater risks; some people recklessly install high-power audio systems or lighting, overloading the battery and causing wiring to overheat, essentially playing with fire. Loose battery terminals can also spark, and when combined with flammable items like lighters or perfumes left in the car, summer heat can turn things disastrous. I strongly advise regular inspections of wiring and fuel lines, especially for older vehicles—don’t wait for an accident to regret negligence.
