This should be in motoring but I'm lazy

[dotty.]

Just driven home, as I came off the motorway I noticed black smoke curling up in front of me coming from the bit of the steering column behind the wheel that holds all the indicator and windscreen wiper stuff. I pulled over on the slip exit, turned off ignition, wound my drivers window down, fanned the smoke away, sat with my mobile in my hand for 30 seconds waiting for the flames to appear, they didn't and so I started up again and drove home, (1 mile) no further smoke appeared. Is it serious? Should I stop using the car?

[gingejbee]

I would carry on using it until the car bursts into flames. Daft answer? Daft question.

[dotty.]

is that daft answer based on a sound understanding of the electronics of a motor car then?

[cazzz1975]

it could be the wiring loom on fire, that is serious money to sort out, you had better hope its just behind the steering column and no where else!

[dotty.]

well i'm insured for 3rd party fire and theft, would that include a fire in the electronics do you reckon?

[evil__sheep]

well love, it's completely normal for black smoke to appear inside your car, so don't worry

[cazzz1975]

the insurance should cover it, you might want to have a look at your policy first though.

[Old_Geezer]

Drive it to the garage, get it checked. No point in regretting not doing so later. If it's nothing other than something temporarily got warm then at least you'll know.

[dotty.]

I've arranged for a lift for the morning to get into work, have to be in early to do the papers and so no buses running that early on a sunday. I'm not off now until Thursday though and so it will just have to sit there until I can take it in to be looked at. They'll have to take me off the call out list though lol not a bad thing,

[flump1]

Dotty glad to hear you got home safely, bloody cars !! Don't drive the thing until you have had it looked at . I can't answer your question , but I have had a car catch fire with an electrical problem and it is scary. Get it looked at .....meanwhile abate the shock with a vodka xx

[Halifaxmum]

but maybe not whilst sat in the car...lol

[dotty.]

best answer so far flump, thanks lol

[jno]

cars are not supposed to emit black smoke except via the exhaust pipe. If it can happen once it can happen again, so I'd get it checked.

[JonnyBoy12]

I would give you a proper answer, but I only answer questions which are in the right area! You see, I too, am too lazy to give a right answer.