What Size Fire Extinguisher Do I Need For My Car?

Car fires are far more common than people realize. In fact, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that nearly 300,000 vehicles catch fire each year. On average, fire departments respond to a highway vehicle fire every 2 minutes and 47 seconds. If you're reading this, you’ve already made the smart decision to carry a fire extinguisher—great choice!

What Size Fire Extinguisher is Best for Your Vehicle?

The short answer: Choose a fire extinguisher that’s easy to reach and convenient to store in your vehicle 24/7/365. Let’s dive into the details to help you select the right size.

A fire extinguisher within arm's reach can make all the difference. Here are some common mounting suggestions based on vehicle types:

• 2.5 lb. Fire Extinguisher:
  Most vehicles can accommodate a 2.5 lb. fire extinguisher mounted to the front passenger seat. Use one of our Fire Extinguisher Seat Mounts (SM01BK), which attach to the seat rail bolts or the seat frame. The extinguisher stays easy to access and securely out of the way.
  • If you drive a Ford, we also offer seat mounts designed to integrate seamlessly with popular Ford models.

• Smaller Vehicles:
  For compact cars, mounting behind the seat is often the best option. In vehicles like this classic Porsche Speedster, a 1—1.4 lb. fire extinguisher might fit more comfortably.

• Roll Bars and Off-Road Vehicles:
  Vehicles with roll bars—such as older Jeep Wranglers or race-prepped cars—can benefit from our roll bar mounts. For newer Jeeps, the Jeep Wrangler JL Fire Extinguisher Mount secures to the rear sports bar. We also offer dedicated mounts for the sixth-generation Ford Bronco, designed to attach neatly to the rear roll cage or the tailgate.
• Center Consoles and Glove Boxes: Many vehicles have large center consoles or glove boxes that can accommodate H3R Performance 1—1.4 lb. fire extinguishers.

Note: Choose a size that fits your space comfortably. If the extinguisher is too bulky or awkward, you might leave it at home—and that defeats the whole purpose! A compact, easy-to-store extinguisher ensures you're always prepared.

Why Some Drivers Mount More Than One Extinguisher

 Certain situations call for having more than one fire extinguisher:

• Off-Roading and Camping:
  Many overlanding enthusiasts mount an extinguisher at the rear of their vehicle, along with another one near the driver’s seat. This way, an extinguisher is accessible whether you’re inside or outside the vehicle.
• Clean Agent vs. Dry Chemical Extinguishers:
  Some drivers carry both types of extinguishers to cover different types of fires.
• Dry Chemical Extinguishers: Versatile but leave a residue that can damage electronics and cause corrosion if not cleaned properly.
• Clean Agent Extinguishers: Ideal for fuel and electrical fires. They leave no residue but aren’t UL-rated for wood or grass fires (the agent is effective, but the limited quantity isn't sufficient to meet the requirements for a Class A rating).
• HalGuard: Uses Halotron 1, a non-conductive agent that evaporates quickly and leaves no mess.
• HalGuard PRO: Charged with Halon 1211, offering twice the power of standard Halotron units.

Many of our customers use a HalGuard clean agent extinguisher for vehicle fires and a MaxOut dry chemical extinguisher as backup or for outdoor fires.

Special Circumstances Require Different Sizes

Certain vehicles or activities require specific fire extinguisher sizes:

• Racing Vehicles:
  Many racing organizations require vehicles to carry 2.5 lb. extinguishers with a quick-release mount for easy access.
• Commercial Vehicles:
  Federal law mandates that vehicles with a GVWR over 10,000 lb. carry extinguishers rated 10-B:C or 5-B:C, depending on whether hazardous materials are involved. (Source: eCFR.gov)
• Recreational Vehicles (RVs):
  Federal rules require a 5 lb. fire extinguisher near an exit. Some state or national parks may also require any vehicle camping overnight to carry a fire extinguisher.
• Commercial Use Vehicles:
  If you use your vehicle for work, carrying a fire extinguisher is a wise investment, regardless of regulations.

Always Buy A UL Listed Fire Extinguisher

Any fire extinguisher that's UL listed has been tested, and rated by Underwriters Laboratories. This means that the extinguisher has met a series of rigorous standards for quality and reliability, and can therefore be counted on. All H3R Performance fire extinguishers are UL listed and meet or exceed UL listing requirements.

Beware of non-UL listed extinguishers. Unfortunately, there are a lot of automotive fire extinguishers on the market that are not UL listed. We don't want to name names, but we can't emphasize enough how important a UL rating is when buying a fire extinguisher. If you can't find the UL logo on the fire extinguisher body, and you don't see a UL rating in the fire extinguisher specs, it's not UL listed.

Not Sure Where To Mount Your Automotive Fire Extinguisher? We Have Pics That May Help!

We often get questions about where to mount extinguishers in specific vehicles. While we don't have photos for every make and model, we’ve compiled dozens of images showing clever installation examples. These images may help you find a good spot to mount a fire extinguisher in your vehicle, and we're happy to share. Visit our Fire Extinguisher Seat Mount (SM01BK) application list or browse our Customer Installation Gallery to see how others have installed extinguishers in their vehicles.