What impact does overheating have on combustible fluids in a vehicle?

Overheating has a significant impact on combustible fluids, particularly in a vehicle context, as it can lead these fluids to ignite. When combustible fluids like gasoline or oil are subjected to high temperatures, their flash points can be reached or even exceeded, creating a risk of ignition. This is particularly relevant in close quarters like an engine compartment or during a vehicle fire where heat sources can cause the fluids to vaporize rapidly, increasing the likelihood of a fire.

While one might think about the changes in viscosity or the effectiveness of the fluids, those factors do not pose the immediate life safety risk that ignition does. The ignition of combustible fluids can lead to larger fires and explosion hazards, making it critical for fire investigators to understand the relationship between overheating and the potential for combustion of these materials in vehicles.