Can fuel tanks explode in the hot weather?

The RAC is warning drivers about fake emails and social media posts that falsely link cars to a recent spate of fires that only occur in hot weather and heatwaves.

The reports circulating online claim that filling up a car to the brim with petrol in high temperatures will increase the risk of a fuel tank explosion; however, the RAC has dismissed these claims as a social media hoax.

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All fuel systems on modern cars are designed to cope with any expansion of fuel, or vapour coming from the fuel and there is no chance of a fire being caused. 

“There is no risk of explosion from filling up a fuel tank fully and drivers should have no concerns in doing so"

“There is no risk of explosion from filling up a fuel tank fully and drivers should have no concerns in doing so,” said RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis, “we’d recommend people avoid the temptation to share misinformation like this via social media.”

The false reports claim that there were five cases of fire in June due to cars being refuelled to the brim. The fake news is, more often than not, linked to a video of a car on fire as proof. However, technical experts at the RAC has rubbished the reports and said the videos are unrelated to the emails and social media posts in question.

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While the hot weather won’t cause petrol tanks to explode, it can lead to problems for drivers who neglect their car’s general maintenance, with both the engine coolant and oil being worked harder in the summer months. Extreme temperatures can also increase the risk of blow-outs for tyres that are in a poor condition or under-inflated.

In 2017, 385,000 three-year-old cars failed their first MoT, with the vast majority of problems being linked to poor maintenance, with unsafe brakes, lights and tyres.