Vehicle Fires Could Be the End of the Road

BLOOMINGTON, Ill., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- As you prepare to head back to school, you may have remembered supplies, books and tuition, but what about a check-up for your vehicle?

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According to a new study by the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA), mechanical or electrical failure (leaks, breaks, worn-out parts) caused 49 percent of U.S. highway vehicle fires between 2003 and 2007.

This report also identifies teens and young adults as most likely to experience a vehicle fire death or injury.

State Farm encourages young adult drivers to add these basic auto maintenance tips to their back-to-school check list.

• An ounce of prevention -- Have the vehicle inspected by a trusted professional automotive technician, especially before a long trip.
• Start a habit – Each time you fill up your gas tank, inspect the auto's fluid levels (oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid) and look for leaks and deteriorated lines/hoses.
• Look down – Look at the ground where the car was parked to see if any fluids are leaking.
• Keep it clean -- Have the engine degreased to cut down on the buildup of oil and grease.
• Look, listen, and smell -- Is the car trying to speak to you? Pay attention to noises, odors, and your car's instrument panel. If you notice anything unusual, get it checked out by a technician immediately.
• Ease up -- During hot weather your vehicle can run hotter than usual. Avoid heavy stop-and-go traffic and aggressive driving habits.

For more tips on being safe at home & on the road, please visit http://www.statefarm.com/learning/be_safe/be_safe.asp or click on http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/PDF/VehicleFactSheet.pdf to view NFPA's latest fast facts on vehicle fires.

About State Farm®:

State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. State Farm's 17,700 agents and more than 67,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – almost 79 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 34 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.

SOURCE State Farm