Best Car Fire Extinguishers | How to Keep Your Car Safe
Best Car Fire Extinguishers | Automotive Fire Suppression Explained
We spend countless tens of thousands of dollars on our hot rods, muscle cars, or race car builds and the last thing most of us ever think about is a fire destroying all our hard work. The real fact of the matter is, we are human, and humans make mistakes. The wrong size wiring, too small of a fuse (or no fuse at all!), or things too close to a heat source. Then there are parts failures too. Fuel lines age and fail, wheel bearings overload and get too hot, and so on. Of course, there is also vehicle damage from a collision to consider as well. Any of these situations can cause a fire to happen in the blink of an eye. Having an onboard fire system in your race car or an easily accessible car fire extinguisher in your hot rod or muscle car can be the difference between being towed home with an isolated repair and some major cleaning to do or losing your entire vehicle on the side of the road to a fire. Learning the best car fire extinguishers for the job, and how to use them is just as important as well. Like most “insurance” we want it there but hope to never have to use it.
To suppress a fire is to starve the fire of oxygen. The fire triangle, as it is called, is made up of three items: fuel, heat, and oxygen. Fuel is not in the literal sense here, though it can be a fuel fire, but here “fuel” means anything that can burn (rubber, plastic, foam, etc.). Add in heat, be it contact with a hot exhaust manifold, or sparks from dragging an exhaust pipe, or friction from a bad wheel bearing. These are all things that generate heat. Lastly, is oxygen, which is all around us and is what is consumed in a fire. Often, to battle a fire it is tough to stop the flow of fuel, but you can reduce heat with water (like most common structure fires where a fire truck pumps water on the fire to quench it).
However, you don’t have a fire truck with 500 gallons of water following you everywhere, so the easiest way to put out a fire in a mobile environment yourself to minimize the damage that can be caused is with car fire extinguishers. A recommended fire extinguisher for car use is designed to use a dispersal of foam, chemical, or water to starve the fire triangle of oxygen. Without oxygen the fire can’t “breathe” and will be extinguished. The difference between using fire extinguishers for cars vs waiting for the fire department to arrive on scene and putting the fire out can be a small engine compartment rebuild vs a charred shell of a vehicle and a total loss.
What Causes a Car to Catch on Fire
There are numerous ways a vehicle fire can happen. When you think about the fact that a vehicle is carrying multiple flammable liquids on board, generates heat in a small space, carries a high amperage electrical storage device, and is usually moving at a high rate of speed, there is a lot that can go wrong quickly. From overheating to electrical shorts, and from fuel and oil leaks to exhaust system foreign object contact, you need to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best! Before we break down each of these car fire types we must first look at the available portable car fire extinguisher systems and what they are capable of suppressing.
Fires are rated by class, so you can have a Class A fire, Class B fire, and so on. Each class of fire involves different combustible material properties, and you may even have a multiple-class fire on your hands. We’ve created the following fire classification chart to help you understand what each class requires to extinguish, and we’ll go in-depth a bit more below on what is the best fire extinguisher for a car.
Fire Classes in Automotive Settings
- Class A Fires: Common materials like upholstery, carpets, and interior materials in cars, including wood, cloth, rubber, plastics.
- Class B Fires: Involves flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil leaks, or fuel system.
- Class C Fires: Electrical fires from wiring, switches, or electronic components in the vehicle.
- Class D Fires: Rare in automotive settings, involving combustible metals found in specialized equipment or batteries, including magnesium, lithium, and titanium.
- Class K Fires: Normally not encountered in vehicles as it is related to cooking oils and grease.
Potential Vehicle Fire Sources
Electrical Fires:
- Causes: Old wiring, short circuits, and faulty connections.
- Prevention: Regularly inspect and maintain the electrical system.
- Suppression: Use a Class C fire extinguisher.
Fuel System Fires:
- Causes: Leaks from fittings/connections and backfires in carbureted fuel systems.
- Prevention: Check for leaks and maintain the fuel system.
- Suppression: Use a Class B fire extinguisher.
Engine Overheating:
- Causes: Poor cooling system maintenance.
- Prevention: Keep the cooling system in good condition.
- Suppression: Use a multipurpose fire extinguisher (Class A, B, C).
Exhaust System Fires:
- Causes: Contact with flammable materials or oil leaks.
- Prevention: Keep the exhaust system clear of leaks and flammable materials.
- Suppression: Use a Class B fire extinguisher.
Oil and Lubricant Fires:
- Causes: Oil leaks or spills on hot engine parts.
- Prevention: Regularly check and fix oil leaks.
- Suppression: Use a Class B fire extinguisher.
Recommended Fire Extinguisher for Car
Understanding the importance of having an automotive fire extinguisher in your ride is only half the battle. The other half is knowing what type of fire extinguisher for car use. These specifics are more than just the contents of the vehicle extinguisher, but also include such things are size, materials, overall design, mounting ability, and more. Using a tiny kitchen fire extinguisher designed for grease fires because it was on sale at a big box hardware store isn’t the best option. You want an auto fire extinguisher that has not only the correct suppression agent, but quality construction (no plastic valves/controls), and with a proper mounting solution. The typical wall bracket you might get with a universal extinguisher has no place in a car, and you certainly don’t want a loose auto car fire extinguisher simply rolling around on the floor either. Take these factors into consideration when shopping for the best car fire extinguishers for your muscle car, hot rod, or race car:
- Type and Classification: Typically, ABC or BC rated for various fire types (combustibles, flammable liquids, electrical) found in automotive environments.
- Size and Portability: Smaller and compact for easy storage in a vehicle. Large household/shop extinguishers are too bulky to store in a car.
- Mounting and Accessibility: Includes automotive specific mounting brackets for secure attachment and quick access to a seat frame, roll bar, or direct mount to the floor.
- Specialized Formulations: Car fire extinguishers may use clean agents (e.g., Halotron) that leave no residue and protect electronic components, whereas Household extinguishers use dry chemicals that can leave residue that is often caustic to paint and wiring, causing more damage post-fire.
- Durability and Design: Auto car fire extinguishers are built to handle temperature changes, vibrations, and movement, unlike a household or shop extinguisher that simply sits in a bracket at 75 degree room temperature all day.
What Size Fire Extinguisher for Car
When it comes to auto fire extinguisher size you must consider your mounting location, available room, and ability to quickly and effectively source the vehicle extinguisher and wield it properly in the case of a fire. Having a large 10 lb. extinguisher might sound like a great idea since it has 10 pounds of extinguishing agent but depending upon the agent used, you’re talking about a dead weight of 15 or more pounds. That’s a lot to swing around an engine bay trying to put out a fire. The typical auto car fire extinguisher is generally going to be in the 2-2.5 lb. range. This is sufficient for most small automotive fires (fires caught early enough to be fought with an extinguisher), are easier to handle, and easier to find a mounting location.
For greater coverage, you may move up to a 5 lb. unit, but again, it will make finding a mounting location and use that much more difficult. For larger vehicles like motor homes, enclosed car trailers, and the like, it is suggested to have more than one auto fire extinguisher. For example, one easily accessible by the driver, and a second one in the galley area of an RV or a second one dedicated to your car trailer. At the end of the day, you must remember a car fire extinguisher is to be utilized at the first sign of a fire. If by the time you pull over and the whole rear half of your ride is in flames, it is best to exit as quickly as possible and get away from the car. That much fire cannot be contained by a handheld auto fire extinguisher, and it is best to be clear of any danger and call 911. While devastating, this is also why you carry the proper type of agreed value specialty vehicle insurance on your pride and joy.
Mini Fire Extinguisher for Car
We’ll always advocate a “bigger is better” option when it comes to auto car fire extinguisher sizes. However, in some instances, be it a small car, or a really small space to mount the vehicle extinguisher, you might consider a small car fire extinguisher in the 1-1.5 lb. size. These smaller extinguishers can still put out a car fire if caught early enough while fitting in a smaller space. Often enthusiasts will run one of these mini fire extinguishers in the passenger compartment but carry a larger one in the trunk. Something to consider as well. If you’re looking for the best automotive fire extinguisher for something like a Shelby Cobra replica, an MG or Austin Healey, or mini truck, these small vehicles are often well served by these smaller extinguishers.
Classic Car Fire Extinguisher System
When it comes to street driven cars, even ones that see occasional track time, most owners are happy with a properly secured car fire extinguisher that is easily accessible in an emergency. Time is of the essence in a situation where there is a car fire, so having to jump out, run to the rear of your vehicle and open the trunk (and then probably dig through a bunch of junk in the trunk to find your extinguisher) to grab your auto car fire extinguisher is far from ideal. Having the extinguisher mounted where it is a quick grab from the driver’s seat is best using some form of quick release mount. Though you can go one better and install a full DOT fire suppression system in your ride. These use a larger, fixed mount extinguisher with spray nozzles you mount in the engine compartment and other critical areas. They are activated via a manual pull cable or automatically via a thermal trigger and are perfect for muscle cars, hot rods, and more that see track use.
A race car fire extinguisher system can be a direct access extinguisher, or an on-board automotive fire suppression system. The type may be dictated by the sanctioning body or class rules, or even the track itself. Also, the type of racing car. Most amateur road race, autocross, and drag racers will choose a fire extinguisher, while circle track and higher level road race cars often will have a multi-nozzle suppression system installed.
Mounting a Car Fire Extinguisher with a Bracket
As we’ve mentioned earlier in this guide, you don’t want a fire extinguisher rolling around loose on the floor of your car or worse, buried in the trunk under lawn chairs, a cooler, and your roadside emergency tool bag. The key to putting out a vehicle fire is quick action, and that means having immediate access to your vehicle fire extinguisher while also keeping it securely mounted when not needed. There are several car fire extinguisher mount options, or you could fabricate your own in car fire extinguisher mount that uses the included bracket shipped with your fire extinguisher. Speaking of the included bracket, if you don’t mind drilling a few mounting holes in your vehicle’s floor, under dash, or console, you can use the included car fire extinguisher bracket as well for a simple auto fire extinguisher mounting solution.
The best location to mount your car fire extinguisher kit will ultimately be up to your own personal needs and access/reach abilities. Common locations include on the trans tunnel, rear of the console, under the dash on the passenger side, in front of the driver or passenger front seats (usually using the seat mounting bolts and a fabricated bracket of some design), behind the passenger front seat (again, usually with a custom bracket off of the seat mounts), mounted to a roll bar vertically or harness bar horizontally, or on the A-pillar frame of the vehicle. Of course, different vehicle types will allow additional location options, such as an overhead console in trucks/vans. Whatever your location of choice may be, ensure you can reach it from the driver’s seat and remove it from the bracket quickly and preferably with one hand.
Quick Release Car Fire Extinguisher
Typical fire extinguisher brackets that ship with the unit are designed for wall mounting in a building. While these can be used in a vehicle with additional bracketry or custom mounting, their spring loaded pinch brackets are not the easiest to manipulate in the confines of a vehicle interior. Plus, this type of mounting bracket release often requires two hands. Moving to a quick release mechanism, either integrated into the mounting bracket, or used as an intermediary device between the mounting bracket and the fire extinguisher, will reduce access time and allow you to address the vehicle fire that much quicker. Most quick release brackets utilize some form of release pin you must pull to free the extinguisher from its mount, allowing quick and efficient one handed operation.
Race Car Fire Extinguisher
We’ve been discussing the possibility of a fire in a street car for most of this guide, which, admittedly, is a rare occurrence. However, when it comes to race cars, there is a heightened fire risk due to the high speeds, proximity of competitors, and higher frequency of crashes. While some race cars may run the typical small body fire extinguisher mounted to the roll bar or on the floor/trans tunnel, most race car extinguisher systems are going to be a dedicated automotive fire suppression system of 5 to 10 lbs. with either manual or automatic spray nozzles (often both) in the engine and driver compartments along with additional nozzles as desired for the fuel cell area or other high risk spots. These systems are used for several reasons, but mainly due to the driver being secured via their harness restraint, making the ability to grab a fire extinguisher and exit the race car difficult. With a suppression system all the racer must do is pull the release cable (or let the thermal release nozzles do their thing when the surrounding temperature surpasses the nozzle release temp). You can learn how to install a fire suppression system via our Toolbox content on the process.
