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If there are flames or you suspect a fire under the hood, do not pour water on it. Get everyone out, move well away, and call the fire service. If the engine is hot but not burning, the fire-safety sources cited here do not establish whether or how to cool it with water; do not treat fire advice as a cooling procedure.
Should you use water on an engine fire?
No. Fire-service guidance warns that water can spread burning fuel or create electrical hazards. UK Fire Service Resources says water can short wiring and spread burning petrol; Georgia driver guidance also warns against using water on electrical or gasoline fires. These warnings concern fires—not every instance of water contacting a hot, non-burning engine.
If you see flames or suspect a fire beneath the hood or bonnet, treat it as an emergency. Do not open the hood to investigate: the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) says, “If you think there is a fire under the hood or trunk, do not open it.”
What to do if your vehicle may be on fire
- Pull over as soon as it is safe. Switch off the engine if you can do so safely.
- Get everyone out. Do not return to the vehicle to retrieve belongings.
- Keep the hood or bonnet closed. If you are in the UK, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and UK Fire Service Resources advise releasing the bonnet but not opening it.
- Move away and call emergency services. Follow your local fire service’s instructions.
If you are in the United States
USFA advises moving everyone at least 100 feet from the vehicle, not trying to fight the fire, and calling 911. Its guidance is to leave the hood closed if you suspect fire beneath it.
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- Contains Alugard Plus for compatibility with all ethylene glycol-based coolants in automobiles and light duty trucks
- Fights corrosion, scaling and rust while protecting all cooling system metals (including aluminum)
- High-quality additives protect against leaks and won’t harm gaskets, hoses, plastics or original vehicle finish
- Pre-mixed yellow formula is ready-to-use in a 50/50 ratio with deionized water to protect all modern engine components from winter freezing (-34F) and summer boiling (265F).
- Contains 30 – 50 ppm of denatonium benzoate as a bittering agent
If you are in the United Kingdom
UK Fire Service Resources and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service advise evacuating, keeping the bonnet closed, and calling 999. Gloucestershire’s advice page was last reviewed on 4 July 2025.
If you are elsewhere
Call your local emergency number and follow local fire-service advice. Guidance on whether an occupant should attempt to use an extinguisher differs: USFA says not to try to fight a vehicle fire yourself, while the cited UK resources describe extinguisher use only if the person believes it is safe. Having an extinguisher does not make approaching a vehicle fire safe.
Rank #2
- 5 year/150, 000 mile . Silicate-free, long-life, phosphate Hybrid Organic Acid Technology chemistry
- Formulated to replace the OEM fluid in Asian make vehicles such as Honda, Nissan, KIA, Hyundai and others requiring a blue, silicate free HOAT antifreeze/coolant
- The long life formula provides protection for all cooling system metals from rust and corrosion. The silicate free, borate free formula helps protect against harmful scale and deposits
- Meets the following OEM and industry specifications: Hyundai/KIA MS 591-08, Mitsubishi ES-64217, JIS K 2234-1994, Ford WSS-M97B55-A, ASTM 3306, ASTM D4985, Federal Specification A-A-870A
- Contains 30 – 50 ppm of denatonium benzoate as a bittering agent
What if the engine is hot but not burning?
A hot engine without signs of fire is a different situation. The fire-service guidance cited above does not explain whether or how to cool a merely hot engine with water. It therefore does not support claims that pouring water will inevitably crack an engine block, warp a cylinder head, damage a turbocharger, or cause thermal shock. Do not infer a cooling method from advice for an active fire.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the fire warnings matter
Water is not appropriate for every kind of fire. UK Fire Service Resources warns that it may short vehicle wiring and spread burning petrol, while Georgia’s driver guidance distinguishes electrical and gasoline fires from fires involving materials such as wood, paper, or cloth. An engine compartment can involve fuel and electrical systems, so do not try to choose a response by guessing what is burning.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Formulated to replace the OEM fluid in Asian make vehicles such as Toyota , Lexus , Scion and others requiring a red, silicate free HOAT antifreeze/coolant
- 5 year/150, 000 mile . Silicate-free, long-life, phosphate Hybrid Organic Acid Technology chemistry
- The long life formula provides protection for all cooling system metals from rust and corrosion. The silicate free, borate free formula helps protect against harmful scale and deposits
- Meets the following OEM and industry specifications: JIS K 2234-1994, Hyundai/KIA MS 591-08, Mitsubishi ES-64217, Ford WSS-M97B55-A, ASTM 3306, ASTM D4985, Federal Specification A-A-870A
- Note: Please check the vehicle specification before purchasing the item.
Rank #4
- 1-GAL. EXTENDED LIFE PREDILUTED ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT: Engineered to support any vehicle's engine cooling system to enhance performance and optimize protection for years to come
- 10+ YEARS/300,000+ MILES GUARANTEED: Provides year-round protection and cooling for your engine system for over 10 years or 300,000 miles of service guaranteed
- IMMEDIATE ACTION, MAXIMUM PROTECTON: Immediately protects all cooling system metals, including aluminum, against damaging rust and corrosion
- 50/50 PREDILUTED FORMULA: Already prediluted and compatible with all coolant colors and technologies to make cooling system top offs easy to perform
- ALL-VEHICLE PROTECTION: Designed for use in all North American, Asian, and European passenger cars, SUVs, motorcycles, and light/medium duty trucks, regardless of make, model, or year
Rank #3
- 1 GALLON ENGINE ANTIFREEZE/COOLANT: Fully compatible with other extended life antifreeze/coolants. This item contains a bittering agent called Denatonium Benzoate.
- PROTECTS: Advanced formulation prevents rust & corrosion protecting all engine cooling system components
- DESIGNED FOR ASIAN VEHICLES: Recommended for use with Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Suzuki vehicles that require a BLUE Phosphate-enhanced Organic Acid Technology (POAT) formula
- GUARANTEED: When installed as part of a complete flush and fill, PEAK guarantees this coolant will provide service life protection of up to 150,000 miles or 5 years.
- 50/50 PREDILUTED FOR QUICK TOP OFFS: Already diluted to make topping off your cooling system a breeze
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