BMW Suddenly Spews Thick Smoke On Balestier Road Before Disappearing Towards CTE
A BMW driver caused alarm among motorists after the vehicle suddenly began releasing thick white smoke while travelling along Balestier Road late at night on Mar. 7. The incident, which happened at around 10pm, was captured on a dashcam and later shared online by a road safety community.
According to the video caption circulating online, the car — identified by licence plate SMJ5784G — was seen travelling from Balestier Road towards the Central Expressway (CTE) when smoke started pouring heavily from the vehicle. Within moments, the smoke became so dense that it obscured the road behind it.
Motorists travelling nearby appeared to slow down as visibility was affected by the sudden cloud of smoke. The BMW eventually continued moving forward and was later seen disappearing from view, leaving other drivers unsure about what had happened to the vehicle.
WHAT CAUSED THE THICK SMOKE?
The footage quickly sparked discussion among netizens, with many speculating about the possible mechanical problems behind the dramatic smoke trail. Some commenters suggested that the car might have suffered a blown head gasket, which could allow coolant to leak into the engine and produce thick white smoke.
Others believed the issue might be related to excessive engine oil consumption or poor maintenance. Older continental cars are sometimes known to develop mechanical issues if servicing is neglected, and some users joked that the driver might have been “saving money on servicing”.
One commenter claimed the smoke looked similar to what happens when engine oil burns inside the combustion chamber, while another suggested coolant might have entered the engine system.
NETIZENS JOKE ABOUT “SMOKESCREEN ESCAPE”
Despite the potential danger, many viewers reacted with humour after watching the video. Some joked that the BMW driver had activated a “smokescreen mode” similar to what is seen in spy movies.
One commenter wrote that the driver had learned from Batman, disappearing behind a cloud of smoke “like a ninja”. Others compared the moment to a scene from a James Bond film where a spy car releases smoke to evade pursuers.
However, several users pointed out that the situation could have been hazardous, especially for motorcyclists riding behind the car. When visibility suddenly drops, riders may not be able to see the road clearly, increasing the risk of accidents.
A few netizens also questioned whether the vehicle would be called in for inspection if authorities became aware of the issue, as excessive smoke emissions can indicate serious engine faults.
As of now, it remains unclear what happened to the BMW after it vanished towards the expressway. There have been no reports of an accident linked to the incident, but the clip has continued to circulate widely among Singapore drivers discussing unusual road encounters.