Over the last couple months the news has reported multiple car fires in our Portland Metropolitan area. These car fires were spontaneous and not caused by an accident.
According to the National Car Care Council each year they are seeing statistics that prove more car fires are occurring each year due to deferred maintenance rather than accidents.
Unlike collision damage that can be repaired, serious vehicle fires often result in a "total loss". These fires burn really hot and can reduce the strength of metal, fire can buckle body panels and this is almost impossible to repair satisfactorily. The cabin of the vehicle can melt, glass can be damaged and the burned wiring can also be very expensive to replace or repair.
These types of car fires can almost always be avoided with a few simple precautions. Having regular annual inspections performed on your vehicle, performed by a qualified technician is recommended. These inspections can be easily performed with an oil change or regular service, a quick lube service is not going to provide this, you really need to see your trusted repair facility who takes care of vehicles in their entirety. The following things should be inspected:
Preventative maintenance is really the key to keeping your vehicle safe, dependable and on the road with longevity. Preventative maintenance is like regular teeth cleanings and check ups at the dentist, they can prevent bigger problems down the road.