10 Steps to Prevent Your Car From Catching Fire
There are certain moments in life when something on fire is great: The candles on your birthday cake, or if you’re watching an action movie. Your own car catching fire is definitely NOT great.
Unfortunately, car fires have been making the news lately in Singapore media, making all of us as car owners uneasy and wondering, “What if my car is next?”
Hearing the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) say that there were 220 vehicle fires in 2024 can create even more alarm — why are cars catching fire so common, and more importantly, how do we prevent this from happening to our precious investment?
In this article, we dive into:
- The common causes of car fires
- What warning signs to look out for
- What to do if your car is on fire
- Crucial prevention steps you can take
- Whether your car insurance will cover you (or not), and
- If your car catching fire will affect your No Claim Discount
Common Causes of Car Fires
🔥 Electrical Issues
Some of the most common causes of car fires are due to faulty wiring, short circuits, or malfunctioning batteries. Unfortunately electrical systems naturally degrade over time, which can lead to frayed wires or loose connections, which can create sparks.
⛽ Fuel Leaks
We all know from enough movies that petrol is extremely flammable, so even a small leak can become a major fire risk. Fuel leaks can be caused by cracked fuel lines, loose connections, or a damaged fuel tank. If it comes into contact with the exhaust or engine, well, you know what can happen.
🌡 Overheating Engines
Engines don’t usually overheat, but if there is a problem with the radiator, water pump or cooling system, it can happen. An overheated engine alone won’t cause a fire on its own, but if flammable fluids like engine oil or coolant reach critical temperatures, they can ignite in contact with heat.
🔧 Mechanical Failures
Malfunctioning mechanical components in the car can create excessive friction and heat, potentially igniting nearby materials. A faulty brake pad, catalytic converter or alternator can easily hit dangerously high temperatures and spread to surrounding components.
🪛 Aftermarket Modifications
Accessories make your car stand out, but you don’t want them to be the reason why your car shines brightly in flames. Even things like sound systems, LED lights or remote starters can overload the vehicle’s electrical system and increase the risk of fire if not installed correctly. It may be tempting to go cheap on materials and installation, but make sure any electrical work done to your car meets safety standards.
🚗 Accidents & Collisions
Is it true that after you crash your car, it could burst into flames as you’re walking away, ala in the movies? While it won’t be an over-the-top explosion, there is apparently some truth in it. A severe crash can rupture fuel lines, damage the battery, or expose hot engine components to flammable materials, increasing the risk of a fire.
Warning Signs to Watch Out For
Smoke
It’s kind of obvious that any smoke is a major red flag. Under no circumstances should your car be smoking! Smoke can appear under the hood of the car, or even inside the cabin — which can happen in the event of a short circuit. If you see any smoke at all while driving, pull over, turn off the engine, and get to safety.
🚭 Tip! If you usually smoke in your car, it may be hard to differentiate if the smoke is coming from your cigarette or from your car components!
⚡ Sparks or Strange Noises
Sparks coming from under the hood? Turn off the car immediately and get it checked. Unusual sounds while driving should also alert you to stop — you should not be hearing crackling, popping, or sparking noises, nor loud noises from your exhaust. With electric vehicles (EVs), you should be concerned if you hear audible popping and hissing noises from the battery compartment, according to the Automobile Association of Singapore.
👃 Burning Smell
We all know that a burning smell is a bad sign. Something is clearly overheating. Whether it’s a burning rubber smell (could be an overheating belt) or a burning plastic smell (possibly an electrical issue), something is definitely not working as it should, and you should get it checked out immediately.
⛽ Drop in Fuel Efficiency
If you notice that a full tank of gas doesn’t seem to last as long as it usually does, and you’re having to top up petrol more frequently, check underneath your car. If you see any puddles or leakage, or smell a strong petrol smell (don’t check at a petrol station of course), this is an issue that needs to be addressed immediately, as a leaking fuel line or petrol tank is definitely a fire hazard.
💡 Erratic Electrical Components
Electrical issues are one of the most common causes of car fires, so don’t ignore it if any of your functions seem to be acting up. This can be anything from flickering dashboard lights to the radio coming on unexpectedly, or windows behaving erratically. This could be a sign of faulty wiring or a short circuit.
🌡 Engine Coolant Gauge
Don’t ignore warnings from your dashboard! If the temperature gauge is pointing towards ‘High’, it could mean an overheating engine. Even if that’s not the case, it could also point to a malfunctioning cooling system, coolant leak, or broken water pump. Either way, excessive overheating = bad.
💦 Leaks
Your car should not be “peeing” at all. Things that can possibly leak: engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, petrol… all of which are flammable and can cause a fire in contact with heat. Always check for puddles, stains, and any dripping fluid. If you notice a dramatic drop in oil or coolant levels, pay attention.
What To Do If My Car is On Fire
📍 Immediate Actions
Whichever warning sign from above you notice while you’re driving, it’s important to stay calm but act quickly. Pull over to a safe location immediately, turn off your engine, and get out of the car.
If there is smoke, a burning smell or sparks, do not open the hood to check — introducing oxygen can make a fire worse.
If there are visible flames or heavy smoke, get far away from your vehicle (at least 30 metres), and call emergency services (995) for assistance. Warn other road users by placing a warning triangle nearby.
🧯 Fire Extinguishing
If the fire seems small and containable and you have a car fire extinguisher (dry powder or foam are best), you can use it to put out the fire (from a safe distance), but make sure to still call emergency services. Leave the big fires to the experts. Don’t try to be a hero!
🚒 Special Note for EV Drivers
Do not attempt to put out a car fire if you drive an EV. The SCDF warns that “fires involving EVs have a higher risk of re-ignition even after the initial fire is extinguished, due to their lithium ion batteries,” so it’s better to get away and stay away! Putting out EV fires requires different techniques, even for firefighters.
🚨 In an Accident
If you’re involved in an accident and notice smoke or leaking fluids, don’t stand around your vehicle to exchange contact details with the other party — move immediately away from the vehicles in case they catch fire.
🛑 Do Not Drive!
Never attempt to continue driving a smoking or overheating vehicle any further — you are merely escalating the danger and putting your safety (and that of your family if they are in the car with you) at risk.
📱 Call Your Car Insurance Company
Step away from the vehicle and call your car insurance company’s towing assistance line. DirectAsia customers should call this emergency assistance hotline: 6991 3555. We will then immediately arrange for your car to be towed and taken to one of our accredited partner repair shops where the accident can be reported, and your car assessed for damage. Our car insurance specialists will then walk you through the claim procedures accordingly.
10 Steps to Prevent My Car from Catching Fire
🛠️ 1. Regular Maintenance
As you can tell, malfunctioning components in your vehicle, such as engine problems, faulty electrical system, fuel or cooling system leaks, can easily escalate into much bigger problems. Without regular servicing of your mechanical and electrical components, issues may go undetected… until they end up causing a fire. Staying on top of your car maintenance checks is not just a way to prevent losing your car, but ultimately to keep your family safe.
🩺 2. Don’t Brush Small Issues Aside
In a culture where our parents probably think we shouldn’t run to the doctor for every small discomfort or unease, we may also apply a similar mindset to our vehicles. But unlike humans, cars don’t have the ability to heal themselves. As soon as any unusual noises, warning lights or performance issues arise, address it immediately by having a professional expert take a look at it.
🩻 3. Don’t Skip Post-Accident Checkups
In the event of a minor accident, even if you can’t see any external damages, make sure to get your car checked out inside and out, because you never know what might be going on under the hood. If a vehicle’s structural integrity is compromised in an accident, even a small spark can trigger combustion.
🔎 4. Check and Fix Leaks Immediately
Make it a habit to regularly check underneath your car, such as before getting into it to drive to work, for example. Any kind of leaking fluid can be a major fire hazard. Don’t wait for the appearance of entire puddles before taking action; even a small leak can become dangerous if it comes into contact with a hot engine.
⚡ 5. Ensure Quality Electrical Systems
Because electrical fires are a leading cause of car fires, make sure that your electrical systems are:
1. Professionally installed
2. Installed using high quality wiring
3. Approved by LTA if they are aftermarket modifications
4. Regularly maintained by a professional
5. Never overloaded with too many devices plugged into your car’s power outlets
🔋 6. Check Your Car Battery
A faulty or overworked battery can overheat, leak acid, or even explode, leading to a huge fire risk. Check your battery regularly for corrosion, swelling, or loose connections. If you notice dimming lights, difficulty starting your car, or a burning smell, have the battery and alternator inspected immediately.
🌡 7. Prevent Engine Overheating
It’s not just the engine that overheats, but also engine fluids like coolant and oil that have the potential of igniting. Regularly check your coolant levels, radiator, and thermostat to ensure your cooling system is working properly. If your temperature gauge spikes, pull over and let the engine cool before opening the hood.
🚫 8. Don’t Ignore the Check Engine Light
“What’s this light on the dashboard supposed to mean?” — “Oh, nothing.”
Sound familiar? Many people overlook the check engine light, but it can indicate serious issues such as fuel system problems, overheating, or electrical malfunctions. If the light appears, get a professional diagnosis rather than waiting for symptoms to worsen.
🏠 9. Choose Safe Parking
If possible, avoid parking in areas where flammable debris, such as dry grass, leaves, or chemicals, could catch fire from a hot exhaust. Electric and hybrid vehicle owners should also ensure their cars are parked in well-ventilated areas to prevent battery overheating.
🔥 10. Keep a Fire Extinguisher in Your Car
Okay, while this won’t exactly prevent a fire from starting, but the SCDF actually advises drivers to keep a small fire extinguisher in their vehicles, as it can help control minor fires before they spread. (With the exception of EVs, as mentioned above.) Store it in an easily accessible location, such as under the driver’s seat or in the glove compartment.
Does My Car Insurance Cover Fire Damage?
The short answer is: It depends.
First of all, it depends on the type of car insurance policy you have. Of the three tiers of car insurance available in Singapore, only two provide coverage for damage to your car caused by fire: a Comprehensive (COMP) plan, or a Third-Party Fire & Theft (TPFT) plan.
| COMP Plan Comprehensive | TPFT Plan Third-Party Fire & Theft | TPO Plan Third-Party Only |
Top-tier coverage against accidents, fire, theft and vandalism Covers accidental damage to your own car | Mid-tier coverage that protects third party liabilities, fire and theft Does not cover accidental damage to your own car | Most affordable plan that covers third party liabilities only Does not cover fire at all |
Secondly, it depends on whether you have fulfilled your personal responsibility towards the car insurance policy. Even with a car insurance that does cover fire damage, you also have the responsibility to ensure that your car is maintained in a safe and roadworthy condition, meaning no internal deterioration or corrosion, or mechanical, structural, electronic or electrical malfunctioning, or overload of electrical systems through improper modifications.
The key thing to note here is negligence. So if your car does catch fire because of an overheating engine, for example, but you can prove that you’ve been on top of it with regular servicing, and this was a one-time failure, it would be more likely to be covered.
Will a Car Fire Affect My No Claim Discount (NCD)?
Unfortunately, your NCD will always be impacted in the case of a car fire, unless some type of third-person arson is involved. This serves as a huge incentive to stay on top of regular maintenance and servicing of your car to prevent car fires, especially if you want to continue enjoying the highest NCD in Singapore, NCD60, exclusively available with DirectAsia car insurance.
