Precautions That Every CNG Car Driver Must Take

The increasing emissions and global warming have contributed to the degradation of the quality of the environment. Therefore, CNG and electric vehicles are preferred over traditional models. CNG has been one of India's most preferred car fuels due to the benefits it offers such as high calorific value, cost efficiency, and a clean environment.

Precautions that Every CNG Driver Must Take

CNG cars have their own set of drawbacks. When compared with diesel or petrol. CNG is highly combustible. Just one spark is required to set the car on fire. Therefore, to guarantee that you are driving safely in your CNG-powered vehicle, you must take a few precautions.

Listed below are precautionary measures that every CNG driver must take.

1. Do Not Use Unauthorised CNG Kits: Even though it is advisable for people to buy a CNG car with the factory-installed CNG cylinder, many people try to convert their petrol cars into CNG by installing the fuel kit in their car. Besides they get the installation done by a roadside dealer or mechanic instead of an authorised dealer. This can not only spoil the car’s mechanics and result in leakage leading to a fire. Therefore, you must avoid installing unauthorised CNG cylinder in your car.
2. Avoid Using Substandard/Mismatched Accessories: When installing the CNG cylinder in your car, you must make sure that the fuel kit and cylinder suits the model of the car. The CNG cylinder needs to be compliant with the car's original fixtures and wiring. Additionally, the CNG cylinder must be of approved brand and manufactured according to the relevant standards. There are increasing risks of fire/damage due to different voltages and current ratings if a substandard/mismatched CNG cylinder is installed in the car.
3. Regular Maintenance: Ensure that the car is thoroughly checked before conversion. You must get your car regularly checked/serviced. Old wires typically lose insulation, leading to a short circuit, as such they must be replaced immediately. The CNG cylinder must also be tested before installation.
4. Test Certificate: Once the CNG kit has been installed, you must obtain a “CNG Cylinder Test Certificate” by the CNG licensee or retrofitter. The certificate acts as a proof for installing an approved CNG cylinder in the car.
5. Thorough Leak Test of the Gas System: Do not overfill the fuel tank or have an incorrect fitting or a gradual leak in your fuel tank since this could be very dangerous. This will lead to the outbreak of fire and the explosion of the fuel tank.
6. Replace Spark Plugs: You must make sure the car's spark plug is compliant with the CNG cylinder. This is crucial since spark plugs wear out faster when used on CNG. If there is no special CNG-compatible spark plug available it is important to reduce the gap between the spark source and the metallic plug tip.
7. Follow the Rules: The car’s functioning on CNG must meet the terms as stipulated in the central motor vehicles rules. Activities like smoking in the car, firecrackers near the car, using mobile phones or any electronics when refilling the cylinder, carrying/transporting inflammable materials, and prolonged use of the car heater can be risky.

Bottom Line

It is a known fact that using a CNG car reduces your total cost of running the vehicle considerably. However, every CNG car owner must take the needed precautions to ensure the safety of his/her car. Following the above precautions can avoid any unfortunate incidents.

Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.