Excellent advice, thanks all around. Just to be clear, the main purpose of keeping an extinguisher in my car is to put out small incidental fires rather than putting out one that has started in the engine of my car or whatnot (I know when to back off <img src="/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />). More of a in case of emergancy situation where someone has caught fire for whatever reason or the small fires that can ocur when BBQing or tinkering with junkers.

I'm not a fireman, and I'm not in the US either. Most of these things I've learned from friends (firemen, policemen, doctors, and others also), and family (my father, as a doctor, was doing EMT service, and my sister is presently out there in an ambulance).

As I know, most -cumulative- vehicle fires started in the engine compartment. Most people are curious about the fumes under the bonnet, even after a smaller crash. And opening the bonnet for checking the case they are simply instantly burned by the freshly fed flames.

That's even more easier. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> You should put a fire retardant blanket somewhere (at least one square metre), and maybe some smaller sized Waterjel. This set is much better for "personal" fires, than hunting someone with an extinguisher. (Just keep the extinguisher as well.)

I've got one in my car. In the back seat. Buckled up, too, like a regular passenger. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have learned to carry two fire extinguishers in my car after a recent incident in the underpass at the LAX airport. There was a van stopped in the tunnel with the hood up and smoke coming from it. No sirens to be heard, so I pulled up and took my 5 pound dry chemical extinguisher from the trunk of my car and made quick work of the fire.
Upon going to get it recharged I was told it was out of the hydro test date and it could not be refilled without being hydro'd. So, I shelled out the money for a new replacement. I think the hydro is good for 12 years.
The act of kindness cost me about $50, but I am happy I did it.
I also bought a $10, 2 1/2 pound disposable extinguisher that I will use first if called upon again. Cheaper than using the 5 lb unit, as long as it will do the job.

Also, I suggest that you purchase one with a hose, it offers much more versatility than a straight nozzle type unit. Whatever you buy, secure it in your vehicle, as it can become a nasty rocket in an accident.

Martin noted:
>Fires following a collision are the leading cause of vehicle
deaths

Wow, that's illuminating to me. I would have thought that most vehicle deaths would be from trauma. Another great addition to the group's knowledge by Martin! Thanks!

" Fires following a collision are the leading cause of vehicle
deaths."

I don't know where they got those stats. I was a highway cop for 30 years, been to more fatal collisions than I care to remember, and only four or five of those involved fires. Most of the dead folks I got to pick up were ejected from an overturning vehcle because they were not wearing seatbelts. Right behind those were those in head-on or high speed broadside collisons. Fire is waaayyyy down on the list...

If you don't keep a fire extinguisher in your car, you should. Its actually mandatory in some European countries. I was lucky enough to put my hands on a OE mount for my car that places the extinuisher right under the front of the drivers seat (reachable while belted in the seat).

A family member of mine witnessed a bus roll-over on an interstate in PA several weeks ago. The engine compartment caught fire and proceeded toward the passenger compartment. He was able to keep the flames at bay with a 5 lb. ABC while two other good samaritans pulled the injured driver to safety. Without the extinguisher, the driver would not be around today.

Several good points have been made:

(1) Mount the extinguisher with metal (not plastic) hardware. It could become a ballistic missle in the passenger compartment. You could put it in the trunk, but accessibility is important.

(2) Get a good quality extinguisher - I stay away from plastic hardware like you find at the local Wal-Mart. Pay a little more for professional grade equipment from an authorized dealer (Amerex and Badger) and you won't find the pressure has leaked out and its useless.

(3) Inspect the extinuisher on a regular basis. Make sure the pressure to spec.

(4) The extinguishing agent in an ABC extiguisher is caustic to plastic, vinyl, and leather. If you do use one inside a vehicle, clean up the powder as quickly as possible. If you are concerned about damage, you may want to consider a CO2 or halotron extinguisher. If you do, keep in mind that extinuishing agent is not as effective as the ABC powder.

Best wishes.

Craig.

I'm with old bald guy(and I also fit that profile).I'm a fireman for a a fair sized city,and while car fires are common,I remember one death,and that was a bum living in a van.Seen quite a few deaths from accidents,none from fires afterward myself.

But most of our car fires are arson,And one in four responses? That sounds way off.Most depts run 40-80 percent ems.If you remove ems it still doesn't sound right.My city runs over 30,000 runs a year,we don't have 7,500 cars fires...My company runs 3,000 plus a year and we don't have 750 car fires more like 50.

Personally,I don't carry one,in fact I don't know anyone who does.I do leave my cars parked outside of the garage though,because I don't care if my car burns,but believe me you don't want it to happen inside your garage.

ABC dry chemical extinguishers are also caustic to aluminum, so if you put out an engine fire make sure to clean it off quickly. I've only put out a couple of engine fires, but without the extinguisher someone else would have had a bad day.

Craig, i thought that CO2 was less effective than dry chemical but halon 1211 is much more effective than dry chemical extinguishers on electrical and fuel fires.