Vehicle fires are common worldwide, and just like other areas that are vulnerable to fire , you want to make sure you have a fire extinguisher in the car. You never know when a fire could start damaging property or worse still causing death!
Car fires can be due to mechanical defects, arson, or an accident that leads to a fire explosion. Whatever the cause of car fires, you want to protect yourself, the passengers, and of course, your car.
We understand choosing the best fire extinguisher for car can be such an uphill task. Therefore, we’ve compiled a list of the best fire extinguishers for cars exploring the ins and outs of each.
But first, here are some of the things to consider before you start shopping.
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Factors to Consider when Buying a Car Fire Extinguisher
A car is smaller than a building or even a boat. Therefore, when choosing a fire extinguisher, it’s essential to ensure it’s suitable for a vehicle. Here are some of the factors to consider.
1. Security
Depending on the type of car you drive, you want to ensure that the fire extinguisher is secure. The extinguisher should have straps for easy fastening on the doors or behind the seats of the vehicle.
Besides, the device’s placement should be such that it’s within arm’s reach of either the driver or the passengers.
2. Size/ maneuverability
You may think that bigger is always better. You want to make sure that the extinguisher isn’t too heavy for your lifting in a car and isn’t too light that the chemicals aren’t enough to put out a fire.
We recommend having fire extinguishers weighing about 1 kilogram to 1.5 kilograms.
3. Ease of use
It’s one thing to have a fire extinguisher and another to know how to use it. Otherwise, you may have a fire outbreak in the car but not manage to put out the fire, albeit having a fire extinguisher.
Make sure to get training on how to use the fire extinguisher in different scenarios.
4. Legal requirement
Depending on where you live, the laws may vary on what fire extinguisher to use in what car type. Make sure to know what’s expected in your location before buying a fire extinguisher for your car.
Now that we know the factors to consider, let’s explore some of the best fire extinguishers for cars.
Top 5 Fire Extinguishers for Car
We understand you may not have all the time to go through the whole review. For this reason, we’ve created a table showing the different fire extinguishers at a glance.
| First Alert Red Auto 5 | 
| 🔘 2.7 pounds 🔘 10 year warranty 🔘 Universal fit 🔘 Safe, Durable & Easy to use | Best Value for Money |
| First Alert Fire Extinguishing AF400-2 | 
| 🔷 Lightweight at 2 pounds 🔷 Discharges 4 times better 🔷 Easy to read instructions 🔷 Best for all types of fires 🔷 Great maneuverability | Best Performance |
| FIAFESA5 – Fire Extinguisher | 
| 🔘 5 year warranty 🔘 2.2 pounds heavy 🔘 Pressure gauge available 🔘 Easy to use, Offers maneuverability 🔘 Perfect for all classes of fire | |
| H3R Performance MX250B Fire Extinguisher | 
| 🔷 Discharge range of 15 feet 🔷 Weighs 5.98 pounds 🔷 Black can 🔷 Easy to use, Unique design 🔷 Ideal for all fires & fits snugly in cars | Top choice |
| H3R Performance HG250B Fire Extinguisher | 
| 🔘 Black can, Sleek design 🔘 Weighs 2.5 pounds 🔘 Comes with a bracket for mounting 🔘 Durable 🔘 Perfect for engine fires 🔘 The spray is non-corrosive | Best Premium Choice |
1. First Alert, Red, Auto 5
This First Alert fire extinguisher is hands down the best for cars because of their versatility in putting out different types of fires.
The best thing about this fire extinguisher is that it fits anywhere in your car, making it perfect for even the smallest vehicles.
The fire extinguisher is unique looking and comes with straps for easier mounting.
Product Specifications
– 2. 7 pounds heavy
– 10 years warranty
– Has a durable metal head and metal pull pin
– Universal fit
Pros
– Durable
– Easy to use and comes with easy to read instructions
– The metal is corrosion resistant
– Secure as it comes with a mount, straps, and bracket
Cons
– A bit pricey compared to other fire extinguishers
2. First Alert EZ Fire Spray
If you’re looking for a more versatile fire extinguisher, then look no further.
This First Alert aerosol spray extinguisher is not only suitable for your car but can also work perfectly in a home or business premises.
The fire extinguisher can put out types A, B, and C fires, making it ideal for a car.
Besides, the fire extinguisher works four times longer than other types of fire extinguishers. You can therefore extinguish any car fire within a shorter period.
Product Specifications
– Weighs 2 pounds
– 2 year warranty
– Perfect for all types of fires
– Discharges 4 times longer than typical extinguishers
Pros
– Easy to use
– Biodegradable and easy to clean aerosol spray
– Offers great maneuverability
– Durable thus gives value for money
Cons
– The nozzle rotates, and it may be difficult to know the direction to point
3. FIAFESA5 Fire Extinguisher
The fire extinguisher is perfect for fires that emanate from gasoline, oil, grease, or electrical faults.
This lightweight fire extinguisher for car is perfect because it’s easy to use and easy to maneuver.
Here are the specs if you’re wondering what the FIAFESA5 fire extinguisher for car has to offer.
Product specifications
– Wall mount bracket available
– Weighs 2.2 pounds
– Includes one large pressure gauge with instructions
– 5 year warranty
Pros
– Light for easy maneuverability
– Easy to use
– Easy to mount with the bracket that comes along with it
– Offers great value for money
Cons
– Some customers complain that the fire extinguisher may lack pressure upon purchase
4. H3R MX250B
The extinguisher comes in a black glossy can and therefore blends in with the interiors of any car.
The fire extinguisher is also perfect for your car because it fits in practically any space.
The ease of use and the availability of easy to follow instructions also make it ideal for any user on transit.
Product specifications
– Weighs 5.98 pounds
– Has a discharge rate of 15 feet
– Approved by the US Coast Guard
– Comes with a mount
Pros
– Awesome design
– Durable and effective
– Puts out all types of fires as it’s made of dry chemicals
– Fits snugly in different types of cars
Cons
– You need to check on the expiry date of the contents because some customers complain about receiving an out of date product
5. H3R Performance HG250B
This high performance fire extinguisher is hands down the best if you’re looking for safety equipment that will blend with the interiors of your car.
The fire extinguisher is perfect for putting out engine fires as it leaves no residues that can damage the engine.
Product specifications
– Comes with easy to read instructions
– Weighs 2.5 pounds
– Comes with a mounting bracket
– Black in color, steel material
Pros
– High quality and durable fire extinguisher
– Great design that blends with the interiors of any vehicle
– Perfect for engine fires
Cons
– A bit pricey
Frequently Asked Questions
a) Is it safe to have a fire extinguisher in my car?
Yes, it’s safe to have a fire extinguisher in a car because fires are common, and you want to be ready for any eventualities.
However, it would be best to make sure that the extinguisher you have is rated for class B and C fires that are the most common in cars.
b) Which fire extinguisher is best for all fires?
If you want a fire extinguisher that can put out all types of fires, consider buying dry chemical or powder.
These types of extinguishers are commonly known as ABC powder extinguishers.
c) Where should you store fire extinguisher in car?
The general rule of thumb is to place the device within arm’s reach.
The best places to store a fire extinguisher in a vehicle is under the driver’s seat or in front of the passenger seat. Of course, the fire extinguisher should be well mounted using brackets.
Conclusion
Choosing a fire extinguisher for vehicle can be daunting. This guide gives you everything you need to know about fire extinguishers for cars.
Our top pick of best fire extinguishers for car is the H3R-Performance-HG250B fire extinguisher. We recommend this fire extinguisher because it perfectly puts out engine fires that are most common in vehicles.