good motoring
Beware of add-ons
H. Kishie Singh

In case of a fire, add-on locking mechanism can fail to function and result in the passengers getting burnt alive

THERE have been a couple of very grizzly accidents reported in the Press recently about cars catching fire and the passengers inside being burnt alive. It must be a ghastly death. As facts are emerging after investigations by the police and the auto manufacturer, the question that arises is: were the car owners responsible for these accidents?

All manufacturers warn car owners not to add accessories such as music system, air-conditioner, sunroofs and central locking if it means cutting into the electric wiring harness.

First, the minute you cut into the wiring harness, you cancel the warranty. The manufacturer knows the dangers of carrying out modifications by mechanics who do not know or understand the intricacies of electronics of the modern car.

Today’s cars have an electronic control module (ECM) or electronic control unit (ECU), which monitors and provides power to the car’s units like the music system, A.C., central locking, power windows, power seats, variable valve timing, etc.

In a lot of cars when you turn on the ignition there is a "waking-up" time. Some cars go ding-dong ding, some cars sound a buzzer. Do not start your car until the "wake-up call" is over. During this time various sensors go to work.

For example, the engine is primed for a quick start, it is no longer necessary to kick the accelerator a few times before starting. The ECM does it for you. Cars equipped with variable valve timing (VVT) also have the ECM to do the work.

A lot of car owners opt for central locking as an after-sales fitment. This seems to have led to passengers being burnt alive. The locking mechanism failed to function, and the passengers had inadvertently locked themselves inside.

Where central locking is factory installed, if the driver’s door lock is activated, it locks or unlocks all four doors. This may not happen if the central locking has been installed by an unauthorised mechanic.

The most gruesome instance recently was when two occupants of a Honda City in Delhi were burnt to death. Another case was in Ghaziabad, where five people were burnt alive in a Wagon R. In both cases, the finger of suspicion points to locks jamming and not being original equipment.

Why the cars caught fire in the first place remains a mystery. One can only speculate. Most fires originate in the engine area. It is the hottest part of the car and fuel, petrol or diesel, is being channeled via pipes from the tank to the engine. Did the engine heat up? Obviously, yes.

In that case the temperature gauge would definitely have shown this. Again, obviously the driver was not paying attention to his dashboard. The instruments on the dashboard serve as a medical bulletin for your car. You must check them regularly, like every 5-10-15 minutes. Waiting at a red light is a good time to check the instrument panel.

In case of a fire that has originated in the engine, get out of the car and move as far away as possible. Petrol can explode with the force of dynamite and burning fuel can be thrown far away.

If on a crowded road, warn other road users to keep away. Are you carrying a fire extinguisher? Do you know how to use it? If the fire is in the engine, do not open the bonnet. In doing so, you could introduce oxygen to a fire that may have been dying due to oxygen starvation.

The manufacturer has left certain plugs where you can simply plug in the music system or other accessories. It’s when you cut into the wiring harness that trouble begins.

The message should be loud and clear. Do not go in for fancy luxury items that are not factory fitted. They may be more expensive but you will retain your warranty and possibly your life. Happy motoring.