Do I need to bring a fire extinguisher when driving on the highway?

[McAnderson]

You should bring a fire extinguisher when driving on the highway. The precautions for highway driving are: 1. Both the driver and the front passenger should fasten their seat belts, and the driver should not answer phone calls; 2. Avoid jerking the steering wheel while driving at high speeds; 3. Do not change lanes arbitrarily while driving. When changing lanes or overtaking the vehicle ahead, you must turn on the turn signal in advance; 4. When overtaking, only use the adjacent lane. After overtaking, you should immediately return to the driving lane. Do not ride or drive on the lane divider; 5. Do not reverse, drive in the opposite direction, cross the central divider to make a U-turn or turn, do not test drive or drive a training vehicle, and do not overtake or park on the ramp; 6. Maintain a distance of more than 100 meters between vehicles. When the speed is below 100 kilometers per hour, the distance from the vehicle ahead in the same lane can be appropriately shortened, but it should not be less than 50 meters.

[SanDante]

As a veteran long-haul truck driver, I always keep a 2kg dry powder fire extinguisher in my vehicle. Last year on the highway, I witnessed a car spontaneously combust - flames shot out from under the hood and within minutes it was reduced to a metal skeleton. Although traffic laws only mandate fire extinguishers for buses and hazardous material vehicles, regular family cars really should voluntarily equip one. Special reminder: fire extinguishers under 1kg can't suppress engine fires, don't cheap out on toy-like mini versions. The most secure mounting is under the passenger seat where it won't roll around during bumps. Check the pressure gauge needle monthly - replace immediately if it drops into the red zone. Highway vehicle fires escalate in minutes, this is absolutely not an area to cut corners.

[JadeAnn]

When I first picked up the car, the salesperson specifically reminded me to equip a car fire extinguisher. Now I'm used to keeping a water-based extinguisher in the spare tire well of the trunk. It's easier to clean up than dry powder types and more effective against electrical fires. Many people don't realize that some provinces are strict with inspections nowadays - for instance, Shandong Expressway randomly checks private vehicles' safety equipment. Last week during maintenance, the mechanic told me that electric cars should ideally carry specialized extinguishers for lithium battery fires, as ordinary ones may not prevent reignition. Always choose products with 3C certification and avoid uncertified online purchases. Fire extinguishers also have expiration dates - the rubber hose deteriorates and cracks after five years. Though I've never needed one in twenty years of driving, just feeling the cool metal canister gives me peace of mind.

[DelBentley]

As an automotive safety engineer, I recommend equipping every vehicle with a fire extinguisher. For ordinary family cars, a 1kg ABC dry powder fire extinguisher offers the best cost-performance ratio, capable of handling various fire scenarios including fuel line, electrical circuit, and tire fires. The crucial point is to place it within arm's reach of the driver's seat, such as in the door storage compartment. Experimental data shows that the first three minutes of a vehicle fire are the golden rescue period - waiting for fire trucks is simply too late. Last year during our tests, we found that substandard perfume bottles could potentially cause fires when cabin temperatures exceed 60°C in summer. The fire extinguisher mounting bracket must be metal, as plastic clips can deform and detach under high temperatures. Develop the habit of checking the pressure gauge before driving - the needle should be in the green zone to indicate normal status.

[JohnLynn]

I've driven for ten years with a fire extinguisher in my car, and this habit has saved vehicles twice. The first time was when a friend's old Mercedes had aging wires that started smoking; popping the hood and spraying it directly put out the fire. The second time was when my own car's overheated tire began smoking, and timely action saved me a thousand bucks on tire replacement. Important note: Don't leave the fire extinguisher in the trunk under direct sunlight during summer—excessive pressure might cause it to explode. For sedans, a 0.5-1 kg extinguisher is sufficient, while SUVs are better off with a 2 kg model. Don't follow online trends of mounting the extinguisher on roof racks—it can fly off on bumpy roads and hit cars behind. A highway patrol officer friend told me that in self-ignition cases they handle, car owners with extinguishers reduce damage by 70%. Nowadays, water-based extinguishers can even be sprayed directly on people for escape, making them far more practical than dry powder types.