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How do cars catch on fire while driving?
I was driving down the interstate the other day when I saw a car on fire on the side of the road. It looked like everyone made it out safely, but it got me thinking. How do cars catch fire when someone’s behind the wheel or it’s not an act of vandalism?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
While a jilted lover or a random act of vandalism can set fire to a car, fires can also start while the car is in motion.
Some of the most common reasons why cars catch on fire while driving are:
- Design flaws. Even the world’s biggest automakers can only test cars for so long. In some cases, a design flaw can cause fiery problems years down the road.
- Defective fuel systems. When a car has a defective fuel system, gasoline can come in contact with electricity, which can cause a fire.
- Overheating catalytic converters. Catalytic converters take noxious gases from the engine and propel them out the back so you don’t breathe them in. But if they get clogged, a fire can start from the underside of the vehicle.
- Overheated engines. If you fail to put coolant in your car or you have a blown radiator, the heat from the engine can cause a fire.
Speaking of flames, are you getting burned by high car insurance premiums? Having great insurance is important—but you don’t need to overpay for it. Just download the
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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