Have you ever experienced the uncomfortable and distressing situation of your car emitting smoke? If so, you probably still remember the feeling of panic when you realized you had no idea if there was a fire risk.

When you notice smoke coming from under your hood, it's important to check two things: the color of the smoke and its smell (obviously, after safely parking the vehicle in an open area as quickly as possible).

If the smoke is white and odorless, rest assured, there is no fire risk. Something is definitely wrong, but that's something your mechanic will assess. The most important thing is that you and the other occupants of the vehicle are safe.

However, if the smoke is dark and has an odor, remove all occupants from the vehicle, as this may indicate a fire. There is unlikely to be a risk of explosion, as the engine is located far from the fuel tank. So, remain calm.

After breaking the seal and unlocking the extinguisher valve, open the car's hood. Remember that oxygen feeds the fire. Therefore, if you open the hood too much or abruptly, the flames will only increase. Open it enough to direct the extinguisher nozzle towards the engine.

For the fire extinguisher to work correctly, leave it upright (if placed horizontally, the extinguisher will only release pressure and not the chemical powder). Dispense a considerable amount of chemical powder before checking the situation. Lift the hood slowly; if the fire persists, direct the jet towards the base of the flames using lateral movements.

After making sure everything is turned off and calling a tow truck, go to the nearest garage to finally put an end to the nightmare.