neoweb Posted January 4, 2018 Report Share Posted January 4, 2018 I just heard that my distant friend's sport car caught on fire in the highway, and there was nothing he could do other than watching the car burning. It occurred to me that maybe I should get a fire extinguisher for my car. However, I don't know which one I should get, my vehicle is 2013 ford edge with 3.5L engine. I know this is the Mods forum, but with all kinds of extremely flammable liquids in the engine area, thought you guys might be better equipped to answer the question. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWRBB Posted January 4, 2018 Report Share Posted January 4, 2018 If it catches fire, just let it burn. You really don't want to try to repair fire damage to anything, a car, a house, whatever. It's not like a Ford Edge os some collectible vehicle. Enjoy the show as it burns, make an insurance claim, and get another one. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 4, 2018 Report Share Posted January 4, 2018 If it catches fire, just let it burn. You really don't want to try to repair fire damage to anything, a car, a house, whatever. It's not like a Ford Edge os some collectible vehicle. Enjoy the show as it burns, make an insurance claim, and get another one. I had a coworker who did computer hardware support. His favorite saying was "if you smell smoke, fan it". That said there could be situations where an extinguisher would come in handy if people can't get out of the car (yours or someone else's) or if it's something really simple. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted January 4, 2018 Report Share Posted January 4, 2018 macbwt carries a fire extinguisher in his work Edge, I am sure he will chime in soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chipster Posted January 4, 2018 Report Share Posted January 4, 2018 I disagree with the "let it burn" philosophy, but having said that there is probably not too much a small fire extinguisher will do. I do think however that a small extinguisher has its place in a car's emergency kit as there is a chance that it might make a big difference in a fire situation if caught early. I keep one in mine. One thing to be aware of is the recall that Kidde has on some of their small units. One of my Kidde units was recalled and they did a great job of exchanging mine. Here is a link for that recall: https://inmarmarketaction.com/kidde/Kidde284US/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWizard Posted January 4, 2018 Report Share Posted January 4, 2018 I have always been a proponent of the "let it burn" idea - I've seen how quickly a fire can make a vehicle unwanted even if it technically isn't a write-off. But akirby has made me rethink that. An extinguisher really could be the difference between life and death (or serious injury) for occupants even if you don't care to save the vehicle itself. I think I might go out this weekend and get a small extinguisher for each vehicle. If it happens and everyone is safe then I can decide to let it burn or not but at least I'll have the option. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 4, 2018 Report Share Posted January 4, 2018 Oh I agree with let it burn once it starts causing damage if there is nobody in danger and nothing important you need to save in the vehicle. But sometimes you can catch it before it does any damage. One time back in college we had an old F100 delivery truck with a straight six. It was almost dead - we never had to change the oil because it used about a quart every few days. It was running low on oil and got really hot. I pulled over on a country dirt road to add more oil, spilled some on top of the engine and it caught on fire. I had to throw sand on it. Made it back to town but just barely. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWRBB Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 I hear you, but I think if the fire is bad enough to threaten the life of an occupant trapped after a wreck, you aren't putting it out with a little 10 lb extinguisher. Maybe if you catch it early and they would be trapped for a long time. If you still want to keep one in the vehicle, consider carefully how and where it's mounted. You don't want it cracking you in the back of the head during that same wreck. Or maybe you do, it'd be easy to find, right? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 You’re not trying to put out the fire you’re trying to buy a little time for the occupant to get out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWRBB Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 I dunno- seems a bit, over cautious? Of course there's always the chance of anything happening, and we can fear monger until our fingers bleed. I guess if you want one, go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TurboToad Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 I'm more of the 'let it burn' crowd also unless you are emotionally vested or own a classic. First off, most people buy a cheap dry chem ABC fire extinguisher from a big box store. Problem is they are extremely corrosive to aluminum and wiring connections, Once moisture gets to all that powder you will be sorry as the first inclination is to wash it off making matters worse than the fire in some cases. The very best is Halon for gas and typical automotive fires as it works fast and leaves no residue. It's hard to find any more (recycled gas only) and very expensive. Next best is straight CO2, works well, leaves no residue but again is much more expense than the box store dry chem offerings. If you ever do 'save' your car from a fire get ready to argue some serious diminished value issues with your insurance company. Salvage title from a fire or flood is just about the worst thing to see due to future electrical problems. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omar302 Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 Here in our region a fire extinguisher is required by law. Once a colleague had a Nissan Tida (Versa in the US), and on one hot summer day when returning from lunch and parking it, smoke started to come out from under the car towards the front. No one dared to open the hood & people started using the fire extinguishers from work to try & out it out. After emptying about 20 extinguishers, the car still burning. Had to wait for a fire truck to put out it in a minute. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd92 Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 Car fires are extremely rare, so having a fire extinguisher in the car in unnecessary. If it makes you feel better, any BC rated extinguisher will do. Just make sure it is securely mounted. An unsecured fire extinguisher will be a lethal projectile inside a car in a collision. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freebird Posted January 5, 2018 Report Share Posted January 5, 2018 Depends on the type of fire. A fire with heat and a fuel source equals needing the professionals with a lot of water. I once stopped to help a person with a fire in the engine compartment. I used an entire 10 pound class ABC extinguisher on the fire and it did not make a dent. It would have helped an upholstery fire. I suggest carrying a small (2.5# or so of agent) class ABC rated unit. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishx65 Posted January 8, 2018 Report Share Posted January 8, 2018 (edited) Many moons ago my new 88 GT Mustang caught fire at a gas station. Fire department got there pretty quick and put out the engine fire but the insurance company ended up totaling it cuz most of the engine plastic and wiring harness was melted. Bought it from the insurance company for $500.00 and put it back together for another $500.00. Drove that puppy for another 2 years before I sold it. Fires can be quite profitable!!! :) Edited January 13, 2018 by fishx65 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted January 13, 2018 Report Share Posted January 13, 2018 If you have a car fire your best choice of fire extinguisher is a nitrogen or CO2 fire extinguisher. IF you use a dry powder chemical fire extinguisher you may as well just let it burn. The dry powder fire extinguishers have a highly corrosive powder and will destroy electronics. Plus it gets into everything including the engine and intake which will create all sorts of other issues. I carry a large CO2 and a small dry powder. The dry powder is a back up. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefduane Posted January 13, 2018 Report Share Posted January 13, 2018 I keep a Kidde mini fire extinguisher in my emergency kit. Bought it when I had the Explorer and just transferred it over when I bought the Edge. I keep it mostly for peace of mind and if I see an emergency other than one with my car. Maybe a bit daffy but it makes ME feel better. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chipster Posted January 13, 2018 Report Share Posted January 13, 2018 ... Maybe a bit daffy but it makes ME feel better. That's all that counts! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 I keep a Kidde mini fire extinguisher in my emergency kit. Bought it when I had the Explorer and just transferred it over when I bought the Edge. I keep it mostly for peace of mind and if I see an emergency other than one with my car. Maybe a bit daffy but it makes ME feel better. You told me you carry extra gas just in case the fire looks like it is going out. LOL 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefduane Posted January 25, 2018 Report Share Posted January 25, 2018 When I'm driving, there's always a little extra gas in the car! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fingernip Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 I was stopped at a traffic light behind a school bus a few months ago and suddenly a car came flying through the intersection, jumped the curb and flew through the display window of a business next to me. It had narrowly missed the bus but clipped a few other cars. The car came to rest on a large landscaping stone and on the twisted window frames. I jumped out to check on the driver and heard the engine bouncing off the rev limited and as soon as I reached the drivers door the engine blew ( bottom end failure). A small oil fire started under the car and we got the guy out. Not a single person had an extinguisher so we watched the entire building slowly catch fire. Even some sand might have helped but there was onlyblandscaping stones filled with broken glass. https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Car-Crashes-Into-Building-Catches-on-Fire-in-Bloomfield.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IWRBB Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 They way things go with lawyers today- no way I'm dispensing my fire extinguisher on someone else's car to save yet another person's property. Call the fire department. "Your honor, we maintain the fire extinguisher blast pushed the oil ONTO the building, therefore accelerating the fire and eliminating any chance of the fire department being able to save the building. Had the reckless actions of the defendant not occurred, our national historic landmark that is cherished by every person in a 500 miles radius, would still be intact." No thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWizard Posted November 20, 2018 Report Share Posted November 20, 2018 (edited) Nope... such actions are covered by "Good Samaritan" law which protects volunteers from liability in an emergency as long as they act reasonably. It most often applies to medical situations - for example, a passerby can't be held liable for broken ribs if they give CPR to an unconscious person. But it also applies to property - for example, you can't be sued for breaking into a home to find a fire extinguisher if you see the home burning. The same would apply to using a fire extinguisher on someone's car... if there's a fire and you use a fire extinguisher in a reasonable way (as it's intended to be used) then you cannot be held liable for any consequential damages. I say "volunteer" because the law doesn't apply to anyone expecting to be paid for providing the assistance. Edited November 20, 2018 by TheWizard 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwf78155 Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 an ABC or a Halon exringuisher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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