The Reality of Shooting a Car's Fuel Tank: No Dramatic Explosions, Just Potential Fire Hazards

Myth or reality? Does shooting at a car's fuel tank lead to an explosion? Many believe this to be true due to its frequent depiction in movies and television. However, the truth is far from dramatic and is backed by actual testing.

Key Points to Consider

Shooting at a car's fuel tank does not typically result in an explosion. Here are a few important points to consider:

Fuel Composition

Gasoline requires a specific mixture of air and vapor to ignite. Simply puncturing a fuel tank may not create the right conditions for an explosion. The mixture needs to be at a specific concentration, and a sudden release of fuel without an ignition source is unlikely to cause an explosion.

Fuel Tank Design

The design of fuel tanks in modern vehicles is highly resilient. Most fuel tanks are made from materials that can withstand significant impacts, such as metal or composite materials. Additionally, fuel tanks are often located in protected positions on the vehicle, further reducing the risk of an explosion.

Ignition Sources

For an explosion to occur, there must be an ignition source, such as a spark or a high-temperature surface. Standard bullets may not generate enough heat or spark to ignite the fuel, especially in a punctured tank. Even incendiary bullets, which are more powerful, are not guaranteed to cause an explosion.

Fire Risk

A bullet may puncture the fuel tank, causing fuel to leak. However, the risk of fire is higher if the fuel comes into contact with an ignition source, such as a hot engine or exhaust. This can result in a fire, but not necessarily an explosion.

No, Not Even with Tracer Rounds

The belief in shooting a fuel tank causing an explosion is a common myth. To address this, the television show Mythbusters conducted a series of tests. In their Season 2 episode "Scuba Diver and Car Capers", they shot numerous rounds of various calibers at a car's gas tank that was full of gas. The tank did not explode or even start a fire.

No, That’s a Hollywood Myth

Standard bullets are not designed to ignite fires. They are not powerful enough to cause an ignition and consequently set off an explosion. Incendiary bullets, on the other hand, are a different matter. These are designed to ignite and are more explosive. However, even incendiary bullets are not guaranteed to cause an explosion in a fuel tank.

Even then, a shot into a fuel tank would most likely result in a fuel leak, which could be ignited by sparks or hot metal parts, causing an explosion. But the likelihood of a dramatic explosion is low.

Conclusion

While shooting a fuel tank can lead to fuel leakage and potential fire hazards, it is unlikely to cause a dramatic explosion as often depicted in entertainment media. The key takeaway is that shooting a fuel tank is dangerous and can result in significant fire hazards, but a full-scale explosion is not a common outcome.