DRIVERS should be careful when fixing their own cars – it could lead to an electrical fire.
Officials issued a warning against DIY repairs after a 17-year-old car caught on fire in a suburban garage, forcing a family of five to evacuate.
The family, including four kids, was safe with no damage done to their home in Denver, Colorado, but the garage fire prompted Aurora Fire Rescue to warn the public about risks with their older cars.
The fire department responded to the fire on Sunday morning, which was started by the family’s 2007 Toyota Camry.
However, the owners said the car hadn’t been driven for two days, according to CBS affiliate KCNC.
After firefighters put out the blaze, investigators worked to determine what started the spark.
Inspectors found the car started burning because of an electrical malfunction in the car’s engine.
Officials said the malfunction was “likely due to recent repairs attempted by the owner.”
“Despite the vehicle not having been driven for approximately 48 hours, it is likely that crossed wires caused the battery to overheat and catch fire,” AFR said in a statement.
Officials said drivers should take extra care when they’re doing their own work on cars – especially on older cars.
Older vehicles pose a higher risk of malfunction due to parts breaking down over time.
Plus, maintenance can be forgotten as years go by.
“Older vehicles pose a higher risk of electrical or mechanical malfunction as parts wear out and maintenance can be overlooked,” AFR said.
AFR hasn’t responded to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
In 2017, 77% of all vehicle fires involved cars that were 10 years or older, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
However, new cars can also spontaneously catch on fire.
Signs your car battery needs replacing
The lifespan of a battery varies depending on the climate, condition of the terminals, type of battery, and condition of the alternator.
There are a few tell-tale signs a battery may need replacing soon, including:
Your car is having trouble starting. If your car is taking longer to start than normal, it could be a sign your battery is having trouble providing the necessary amount of power to start. Your car won’t start at all. This is a late sign of a dying battery, but if the car isn’t starting or attempting to when you turn the key, the most likely culprit is a dead battery. Electrical mishaps like the radio not turning on.If the battery is relatively new, a few things can be checked before replacing it to see if its performance improves:
Corrosion on the terminals. Sometimes corrosion can build up on the terminals and make it more difficult for the battery to distribute power. Corrosion can be cleaned off with a wire brush. Physical damage. With some automakers placing batteries in the trunk instead of the engine bay, an item rolling around in the trunk could knock something loose or cause damage. Age. The lifespan of a battery depends on the battery type, but the standard rule is between 3 to 5 years. Glass mat batteries, however, can last 6 to 8 years – though they’re more expensive.Source: NAPA Auto Parts
Just last month, General Motors recalled 107 cars over fears they could explode without warning.
Certain models of the Chevy Bolt EV and the electric SUV version were ordered to be repaired.
Chevrolet, in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, was already forced to recall over 140,000 vehicles in the past three years.
However, a further 107 produced in the past few years were identified as a risk.
The problem was due to a potential battery fault impacting the thermal regulation of the battery.
At certain charges, the fault could lead to the power cells overheating and spontaneously exploding into flames.
Chevy said they weren’t aware of any cars actually catching on fire, but that the risk was identified.
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