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Speaking of not terribly flammable, the report says that this was an ignition started by the heat of the bulbs. The alternative is an electrical ignition.

If you look at the Flash Point you get 111°C (231.8°F) (closed cup), and, startlingly an AUTOIGNITION temperature of a mere 410°C (770° F).

That would allow her radiator to spew antifreeze/coolant all over the interior of the engine housing, as well as the all important catalytic converter ~ BMW has had a converter in use that uses a heating coil at start up so that it works more efficiently.

That brings it up to operating temperatures well over 770° F.

So, she drives in, punches a hole in the radiator, has all kinds of evaporate fogging under the vehicle, then diddly bops out in the morning, turns on the ignition and the car bounces a little as the explosive mixture fires up when the catalytic converter housing reaches the autoignition temperature.

Not to be funny here but if you were ATF and had a choice between blaming the UNPOPULAR high intensity lights or the ENVIRONMENTAL LOBBYIST POPULAR catalytic converter with the special electrical coil that makes it even more Catalytic and Environmental friendly than lesser designs, who would a smart ATF director blame?

Hmm ~ a political decision ~ so few directions to go. Do they blame Catalyticalism or Lightbulbism?

Blame the lightbulb so you can sue BMW.

They ARE lawyers after all!

But kidding aside, even *IF* there was ethylene glycol liquid ON the CAT, ANDIF there was a (magically) explosive or flammable mixture of ethylene glycol vapour in the air under the vehicle ... I doubt seriously that would be a hot enough flame front to ignite other car parts et al. It doesn’t add up.

Plus, how does the radiator fluid flow out and UP to the lightbulb housing AND get inside it. These housing are specifically (German) engineered to keep liquids and vapors OUT to prolong bulb life.

Still doesn’t add up.

BTW, do you know the explosive limits of E-glycol vapour (open air, not closed container)? In other words, *COULD* E-glycol form an explosive or flammable mixture in the air under/around/in a vehicle?