What to do if your car is on fire: A car emergency guide

The feeling of experiencing a car emergency, or even thinking about experiencing one, is unmatched; The rush of adrenaline, anticipation – just all of the emotions all at once. Our Clermont Toyota service experts want you to feel a little bit better before experiencing this, if you ever do (which, we really hope you do not), by giving you a couple of tips if you are having a car emergency. And also some ways to prevent this car emergency too. Scroll for details.

There’s a fire in your car? Here’s what you should do

If you find yourself dealing with this scary car emergency, here’s what you should do especially if you are not prepared for emergency situations.

#1 - Pull over to the side of the road immediately. Find a safe spot to stop, but remember that time is of the essence and you need to get out of the car, as well as your other passengers.

#2 - Turn off your car. This can help prevent further ignition or stoking of the existing flames.

#3 - Get yourself and everyone else out of the car immediately. Be sure to help the small passengers so they can move quickly. Find a safe spot at least 100 feet away from the car in case it explodes.

#4 - Do not go back to the car for your personal belongings. It could explode due to gas and oil, and you don’t want to be anywhere near it when it does.

#5 - Absolutely do NOT open the hood. This can cause flames to flare up.

Most importantly #6 - Call 911 as soon as you can to get emergency crews to the scene. They can treat anyone who’s injured and also put out the fire safely.

Tips to keep your car from a car emergency

#1 - Keep up with routine scheduled car maintenance. Also, take care of repairs as soon as you can. This gives our techs a chance to routinely inspect your car and look for any issues that could be fire hazards or cause other car emergencies.

#2 - If you’re going to make modifications or replace car parts, make sure you’re using the right ones. Our Clermont Toyota parts and service techs can guide you through choosing the correct parts and accessories.

#3 - Do not park in tall grass. It could touch the bottom of your car where car parts heat up, and if the grass is dry it can cause a fire.

#4 - Be careful when transporting gasoline. Definitely avoid transporting gasoline inside the cabin of your car at all costs, it’s extremely dangerous. If you have to, make sure it’s as small of a quantity as possible and that it’s tightly sealed.

#5 -  Know how to spot fire hazards. You should always be on the lookout for things like the smell of burning, damaged wiring, loud noises coming from your exhaust, fuses that have blown multiple times, smoke coming from your engine or brakes, a missing or loose oil cap, spilled oil or fuel, loose or worn hoses

Let Toyota of Clermont help you prevent car emergencies

Whether you have questions about car emergencies or think your car is at risk for one, we can help! Call Toyota of Clermont’s service center today. We’re open seven days a week at (352) 404-7001. And we’re conveniently located just west of the Florida Turnpike at 16851 State Road 50!