Cars over 20 years old - do you carry a fire extinguisher?

[YankeePorker]

Just watched a Jay Leno video which was a bit of a marketing puff for a smaller 2.5 lb CO2 fire extinguisher to carry in the car.

An interesting "fact" that was trotted out is that older cars are not very tolerant of the ethanol added to modern petrol resulting in an increasing number of fuel leaks and car fires as fuel system components let go. It was stated that the incidence of car fires is on the up as a result.

So those of you driving older cars take note! Either make sure that your fuel system is reviewed to replace all susceptible components with ethanol tolerant materials or start carrying a fire extinguisher in the car.

One point they (foolishly IMO) didn't emphasise is that any extinguisher should be very well secured in place to prevent it becoming a missile in the event of an accident. Note also that cheaper dry powder extinguishers might put the fire out, but the resultant mess of abrasive powder might shag the car anyway, hence the push for CO2 or halon extinguishers.

This has been a public safety notice on behalf of.......extinguisher manufacturers I guess. Just in time for Xmas presents.....

[supertouring]

My fire extinguisher is right next to my roll of tin foil.

[SEE YA]

I carry one in all my cars no matter the age.

[YankeePorker]

I used to carry one in the Marcos because it was plastic, and had one in the Porsche because I loved it, but don't have one in any modern cars since then. Looking back, the ones I had were the cheap dry powder ones anyway. Lesson learnt for my next classic.

[TooMany2cvs]

YankeePorker said:

Just watched a Jay Leno video which was a bit of a marketing puff for a smaller 2.5 lb CO2 fire extinguisher to carry in the car.

An interesting "fact" that was trotted out is that older cars are not very tolerant of the ethanol added to modern petrol resulting in an increasing number of fuel leaks and car fires as fuel system components let go. It was stated that the incidence of car fires is on the up as a result.

Bear in mind US fuel is different to UK/EU fuel - whilst we're about to get E10 as an extra choice, with E5 remaining the default, their standard has been E10 for a while, with E15 available.

Keep an eye on any rubber fuel line, replace it if it looks iffy, with ethanol-resistant line, and job's a good 'un. An extinguisher's always a good idea anyway...

[okie592]

I have one but I do work for a fire and Secuity compnay so that would be ironic if I didn't And couldn't save the car

[Matttracker]

I have one the boot of my BMW, but my last BMW caught fire and there was one in the boot of that.
Seeing how fast the fire took hold my priority was getting the kids out of the car, once the fire has started I just let it burn, I don't want a semi burnt engine/car and a huge bill.
I'd use it to help protect people but screw the car tbh

[valiant]

I have a fire engine follow me at all times.

After all, you can't be too careful...

[clarkey]

If I have a car fire I'd rather get everyone out and let it burn!

[g3org3y]

Had a 1986 E30 325i as a daily driver. Never considered carrying a fire extinguisher tbh.

[Sump]

Lmfao

[YankeePorker]

Matttracker said:

I have one the boot of my BMW, but my last BMW caught fire and there was one in the boot of that.
Seeing how fast the fire took hold my priority was getting the kids out of the car, once the fire has started I just let it burn, I don't want a semi burnt engine/car and a huge bill.
I'd use it to help protect people but screw the car tbh

Fair comment, that's what insurance is for. Maybe most relevant for the beloved classic that would be hard to replace and is worth repairing after a smallish fire!

[dxg]

One of my cars is 19 years old.

I don't carry a fire extinguisher, but I do carry a toolkit, jack, torch, water, oil, you get the idea...

[the_lone_wolf]

Our old Volvo 940 caught fire in the engine bay years ago - just at a T junction near home - had we not had a fire extinguisher inside it would have gone up in smoke, as it was the underside of the bonnet got some smoke marks but it lived on

I have a small CO2 extinguisher strapped to the bottom of the dog guard in the boot, invisible, completely unobtrusive and the other end of the car from the likely sources of a fire so most likely accessible if needed, on previous car is was strapped to the front bottom of the passenger seat but the new one has electrics on both

[liner33]

I carry one in my 370z, just with the thinking that i'm more likely to crash it on a trackday and might need it then

I've carried one on and off for a long time but only ever used it once and then not on my own car

[M4cruiser]

You'd need a large extinguisher - I remember a test of them a few years ago, and the small ones "most" people buy actually give only a few seconds of spray, be it water, Co2 or powder or whatever.

[YankeePorker]

M4cruiser said:

You'd need a large extinguisher - I remember a test of them a few years ago, and the small ones "most" people buy actually give only a few seconds of spray, be it water, Co2 or powder or whatever.

The 2.5 lb CO2 extinguisher that they were showing off on the video gave 9 seconds - not much but with the cooling effect enough for the beginning of a fire. If you need much more the car is probably screwed anyway!

[CDP]

You can buy a plumbed in kit for a little over £100. Pretty easy to fit too. Just don't let the passenger pull the big red handle...

[CDP]

On a more serious note, I've had several classics where the fuel lines have perished to the point you could break them. It doesn't seem to be part of the MOT yet the pipes are really easy and cheap to replace.

[Road2Ruin]

Good luck with your fire extinguisher! Get out, stay out and get the fire brigade out...

A fire needs heat, oxygen and fuel..

In a car with a co2 extinguisher you remove the oxygen....however unless you can also remove either the heat or the fuel when the oxygen returns, which it will, so will the fire..