The ash from the Jesusita Fire can also get into your car, from the air you breathe as you drive, to the air your engine needs to perform. Here's what to do to protect your health and your vehicle.
Even if you're not physically very close to the fire, you may have noticed that a lot of soot and ash have landed on your car. You can bet that if fire residue was on the outside, it's also trying to get inside.
Soot gets everywhere during a brush fire. So when driving, use the "recirculate" setting on your car's a/c system. This keep the outside vents closed.
Look for the circular arrow on the recirculation control. Some cars are programmed to switch off recirculation after a period of time, causing the system to switch back to outside air and begin drawing
Under the hood, fire ashes can get sucked into your engine's air intake. The air filter will trap them, but if you've been very close to a brush fire, the soot can overwhelm the filter and clog it. You may be able to check it yourself, or have your mechanic do it. A clogged air filter will affect engine performance and fuel economy.
Many newer cars also have filters for their air-conditioning systems. These are sometimes a little difficult to get to and checking for soot may be beyond the reach of the average car owner. Your mechanic can look at that filter too, to make sure it's free from ash and soot.
Ash isn't very good for your car's paint either. It's a good idea to wash it after a fire. Even better, apply a good cleaner wax to remove any contaminants and protect the paint in the future.
So remember: Air-conditioner on "recirculate" to make sure you're not breathing in any of that sooty air outside, and as soon as you can, have your mechanic check the filters under the hood to make sure your engine is breathing properly as well.
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