The best fire extinguisher for a car is the most necessary thing that you must have in your car cabin for your safety. There are strict requirements for the maintenance of the car that, without the fire extinguisher, driving is prohibited. From here, you must always be prepared in advance for any situation on the road and meet it fully armed.
The driver’s safety is the most important thing on the road, so it is worth taking seriously to buying the best fire extinguisher for the car. The variety of existing models is impressive, so it might be tough to choose the most suitable device. I have prepared a useful guide of the best auto fire extinguisher, as well as fresh and honest reviews of the latest models.
Reviews of the Best Car Fire Extinguisher Models: Top 5
Without the fire extinguisher, you cannot ensure 100% of your safety. That’s why you have to buy such device. In today’s fire extinguisher for car reviews, I will consider the main nuances related to that and detect what is the best type of fire extinguisher for a car in 2018.
Best of the Best: H3R Performance HG100C
Nowadays, H3R Performance HG100C is the best car fire extinguisher with an excellent chrome finish and calibration to match most cars. The weight of this small device is only 1.4 pounds, which allows it to be small, light and efficient for cars. The key feature of H3R Performance HG100C is that it is made on the base of sodium bicarbonate so that it can put out flammable liquids and electrical fires. In addition, this best auto fire extinguisher comes with a great mounting bracket.
- High-quality and well-designed device.
- Based on the sodium bicarbonate to fight any fires.
- A good combination of price and reliability.
- Lightweight and small to fit any mounting brackets.
- Available with a nice mounting bracket.
- A bit expensive.
- No installation equipment included.
Cheap and Useful: Fire Gone 2NBFG2704
The main reason why I placed this product in my list of the best car fire extinguishers is that it’s incredibly easy-to-use and effective. Max Professional Fire Gone is not a traditional fire extinguisher, as it is noticeable in design and price, but still, it is an indispensable assistant in an emergency.
It is actually a spray with a fire-extinguishing substance to fight fires, which is easy to use and quite a long. In addition, it is relatively smaller than other types of fire extinguisher and thus is installed easily in various ways and doesn’t take up much space.
- Portable and user-friendly fire suppressant sprays.
- An affordable device that suits any budget.
- Effective enough to fight fires fast.
- Is appropriate for fires of A, B and C classes.
- Made with AFFF.
- Comes with 2 fire suppressant canisters.
- Too small for large fires and extreme emergencies.
- No mounting bracket included.
- Its foam may freeze in winter.
Perfect Size and Durability: First Alert AUTO5
The next important product that has been included in my reviews of the best car fire extinguishers is the First Alert Auto. This is a compact, convenient and small fire extinguisher for a car, which is suitable for cars and other vehicles too. The First Alert Auto seems to be the most reliable appliance for the car or truck due to its secure mounting bracket and easy-test pressure monitoring system. Furthermore, this fire extinguisher also has a great period of limited warranty – as long as 10 years.
- A UL rated class 5-B: C best automotive fire extinguisher.
- Properly fights almost every type of fires.
- Small device that fits in the trunk.
- Equipped with reliable mounting bracket and strap.
- Includes a metal pull pin and a safety seal.
- Durable design and easy mounting.
- No hardware included.
- The pull-ring on this extinguisher needs further work.
Best Aerosol Car Fire Extinguisher: Fire Command
This small and light so-called car fire extinguisher will save your life and your property in unforeseen situations. Despite its size and shape, it perfectly copes with ordinary fires and shoots at a distance of up to 10 feet for about 60 seconds. The Fire Command is a compact, fast-acting, and portable aerosol fire extinguisher that is used not only for road transport but for other household purposes too (in the kitchen, garage etc.).
Fire Command refers to the category of refractory aerosol dispensers, which are easier and more convenient in use than other types of fire extinguishers. You can also take it to a picnic or camping, and it will not harm nature due to its biodegradable components.
- A small and simple to use.
- Portable and compact.
- A fast-acting foam is safe and friendly to the environment.
- Sprays up to 10-feet in distance with one pull.
- Plenty of applications.
- Has a 3-year shelf life.
- Not suitable for large fires.
- The cans need improvement.
Best Compact for Cars and Trucks: First Alert Auto
The last fire extinguisher, which will be discussed in my product review, is the First Alert Auto Fire Extinguisher. This automatic fire extinguisher for truck complies with UL standards and is an efficient device for cars. Its main features are a small and convenient design, prompt fighting with oil, gasoline, and electric fires, a 10-year warranty, and very simple instructions for use. In a word, this is the perfect fire extinguisher for truck or car.
- A small dense and efficient fire-fighting extinguisher.
- It can be stored anywhere in the car or other vehicles.
- UL rated class 5-B:C, US DOT approved.
- Features a push button pressure check.
- Has heavy-duty bracket mounts.
- The pull ring is not quality enough.
- The bottle may sometimes leak.
Buyers guide
Well, searching for the best fire extinguisher for the car is not an easy task, because you need not only to find a suitable model among thousands of available options. You should also familiarize yourself with the main requirements for the best fire extinguisher for a car, and learn how to use them in special situations. In this section, I will answer the most popular questions so that you have the basic knowledge of car fire extinguisher before the final purchase.
The Suitable Size of a Car Fire Extinguisher
The first criteria that a great car fire extinguisher must meet are the right size and compactness. The size and weight of the fire extinguisher are really important for the owner so that he or she can fit the device in the car easily. Today, there is a wide variety of small and well-designed fire extinguishers that are just right for the cars. So, the optimal volume of the fire extinguisher is:
- 2 liters – for cars,
- 5 liters – for trucks.
The weight of the filled fire extinguisher should be 1-2 kg of weight – for cars, while the best extinguisher for the truck should weigh up to 5 kg. Thus, if you search for a good fire extinguisher for a car, give preference to light and small devices.
What is the Right Type of Fire Extinguisher for a Car
On the modern market, there are several types of fire extinguishers, but for cars, it is recommended to use only 2 of them – powder and carbon dioxide car fire extinguishers.
Powder fire extinguisher contains a special fire extinguishing powder that forms a dense foam composition blocking the access of oxygen. As a result, the fire is extinguished and ignition is eliminated. This type of fire extinguishers fights fires of any complexity (classes A-E), they are easier and cheaper devices of a different type. But they pollute the surface very much, and the adhered powder is difficult to wash.
The second type of car fire extinguisher is based on carbon dioxide (CO2). When filling the device, carbon dioxide is compressed to the limit, which eliminates the need for additional pressure build-up. The combustion is eliminated by a potent jet of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher is especially effective when fire elimination is necessary for places of difficult access. In addition, you won’t need to wash the machine of foam after using the carbon dioxide extinguisher.
On the other side, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are heavier and 2-3 times more expensive than powdered ones. Also, there are some risks when using carbon dioxide fire extinguishers, such as poisoning with dioxide and burning of the rastrud. To my point of view, the best type of fire extinguisher for a car is the powder fire extinguisher.
What Are the General Properties of the Best Car Fire Extinguisher
When you will choosing a car fire extinguisher, take into account the following:
- Volume for passenger cars – up to 2 liters, weight – from 2 kg.
- Compact and lightweight.
- Well-designed and durable body.
- Long-service materials and components.
- Shelf life and warranty.
- Presence of a storage clip or mount.
- Serviceability of the pressure indicator.
- A long-term warranty.
What Should I Do If My Car Catches Fire
If you feel a strange smell, you should immediately move out of the road. You should turn off the engine, get out of the car and call the fire truck.
If you are prepared and purchased the best vehicle fire extinguisher, it’s in your hands. Tear off the seal, pull out the check, point to the fire, then gently open the hood, and then press the lever to extinguish the fire or smoke. But remember that car fire extinguishers work with a slight delay of up to 9 seconds, but the first volley is the most effective and powerful.
Conclusion
Summing up, cars have an increased ability to ignite, and thus, you have to follow all safety regulations in your country. Every driver should think about purchasing a car fire extinguisher in order to be ready for dangerous situations and save his or her life. The fire extinguisher should be stored near the driver, for example, in the cabin or any other accessible place.
The presence of a fire extinguisher in a vehicle cannot be a whim of the government or society. This is a vital and most rescuing device that can save your life in an emergency on the road. Remember that you never have to save on your safety, and choose a high-quality and durable car fire extinguisher.