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Gasoline powered vehicles are not exempt from fire issues. Fact is, one of the best selling vehicles[1] in the U.S. had a recall due to how it would catch fire

by bliti 13y ago

Gasoline powered vehicles are not exempt from fire issues. Fact is, one of the best selling vehicles[1] in the U.S. had a recall due to how it would catch fire while parked. I personally saw one on fire on a parking lot. It was baffling. Another recall from the 70's was this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Pinto#Fuel_tank_defect http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Pinto#Fuel_tank_defect People seem to forget that they are driving around with gallons of combustible liquid. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/27/automobiles/27FORD.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/27/automobiles/27FORD.html?_r...

sbov 13y ago
That happened to my parents' ford. They were at a stoplight and it caught fire, and were able to put it out in a nearby parking lot. At the time Ford was denying there were any fire problems with their model (an F150), but it seems like they eventually admitted there was an issue with their cruise control wiring.
tedunangst 13y ago
The recent ford recall had nothing to do with gasoline. I think people keep missing that point. If tesla's cruise control switches were the parts catching fire, this wouldn't be a big deal.
- moocowduckquack 13y ago
  The obvious difference being that if a random switch goes wrong and catches fire, it is not going to set the batteries alight. It was the fuel tanks of these cars that burnt them out, not the switch fires.
  - tedunangst 13y ago
    Was it the fuel tank that caught on fire?
- bliti 13y ago
  >The recent ford recall had nothing to do with gasoline. I disagree with this point. A fire in a gasoline powered vehicle always has to do with gasoline. Even if the fire did not start due to an issue in the fuel delivery system. This system is commonly laid out in a way that most of the vehicle is near a fuel line at all times. I am not defending Tesla, but pointing out that gasoline powered vehicles also carry fire risks. Do realize that gasoline powered vehicles also carry batteries that may explode/catch fire under given circumstances. I've had a battery or two blow up near me before, and it is not fun.
  - maxerickson 13y ago
    You don't count the floor pan as any sort of isolation?

by bliti 13y ago

sbov 13y ago

That happened to my parents' ford. They were at a stoplight and it caught fire, and were able to put it out in a nearby parking lot. At the time Ford was denying there were any fire problems with their model (an F150), but it seems like they eventually admitted there was an issue with their cruise control wiring.

tedunangst 13y ago

The recent ford recall had nothing to do with gasoline. I think people keep missing that point. If tesla's cruise control switches were the parts catching fire, this wouldn't be a big deal.

moocowduckquack 13y ago
The obvious difference being that if a random switch goes wrong and catches fire, it is not going to set the batteries alight. It was the fuel tanks of these cars that burnt them out, not the switch fires.
- tedunangst 13y ago
  Was it the fuel tank that caught on fire?
bliti 13y ago
>The recent ford recall had nothing to do with gasoline. I disagree with this point. A fire in a gasoline powered vehicle always has to do with gasoline. Even if the fire did not start due to an issue in the fuel delivery system. This system is commonly laid out in a way that most of the vehicle is near a fuel line at all times. I am not defending Tesla, but pointing out that gasoline powered vehicles also carry fire risks. Do realize that gasoline powered vehicles also carry batteries that may explode/catch fire under given circumstances. I've had a battery or two blow up near me before, and it is not fun.
- maxerickson 13y ago
  You don't count the floor pan as any sort of isolation?