Time to be a little more careful regarding a car fire....let's hear what you all think/use out there in the wild....
Thank you,
gg

I have a full system for major issues on track but for possible localized issues i have the Element extinguisher. I hope to never have to use it but is much more sophisticated and powerful than a regular bottle system. Good for electrical and fuel fires. Never goes bad.

I have a 10 pound fire extinguisher recommended by Coondog (RIP buddy) under the front hood and I keep an Element in the driver door pocket.

Several of my VW buddies have automatic suppression systems like Blazecut or FireSlayer. Haven't installed one myself, but probably will on our bus. Roughly the same cost as a good extinguisher but much faster delivery in an emergency.

Have had Fireboy systems on our boats for years, wonder why no one ever installed one in a car.

I have an Element in my 914 as well as a new/replacement fire system going in as soon as I find/fabricate the correct mounts.

Last week as I was driving my kid around, a VW Bus had a small engine fire near my house. I saw some flames but was confused as the driver & passenger seemed to just be standing there staring at it from 2-3 feet away. Before I could turn around and go try to help - I have a handheld extinguisher in my truck as well - someone else in a Toyota FJ had already stopped and put it out! Lucky for them they were near a pretty busy intersection and someone was able to help. The fire dept got there after it was already put out!

So PSA - it's a really good idea to have some sort of fire bottle in any older car or maybe in all cars period!

Make sure you check the suppressant type. Some of the older dry-chem ones would eat wiring insulation and corrode aluminum and magnesium severely. To the point of weakening it. Those are not generally things you want to use on a car you might want to keep.

Halon didn't do that, but is hard to find (for generally good reasons). CO2 doesn't cause those problems, but it seems you need more of it for a given size of fire than other chemicals. I'm not sure about the more modern ones, though.

--DD

I have to say if Greg coondog was still with us he’d be giving his two cents worth on this thread! Miss the old dog.