Is it necessary to carry a fire extinguisher on the highway?

[SanClayton]

7-seater and above passenger vehicles and trucks must be equipped with fire extinguishers when on the road. Private cars with 5 seats or fewer are not subject to this requirement. Here is additional information: 1. Most vehicle fire extinguishers nowadays are dry powder extinguishers, which can be placed horizontally or vertically without worrying about the contents rupturing. A reminder to car owners: If the fire extinguisher is placed in the trunk, do not cover it with items; it should be easily accessible for quick retrieval. 2. In case of a car fire, stay calm, pull over to the roadside to prepare for self-rescue, and remember to turn off the engine to cut off the fuel supply. Then call the fire department for help—do not rush to put out the fire yourself in case the flames become uncontrollable. Quickly retrieve the fire extinguisher, locate the source of the fire, stand upwind to avoid burns, pull out the safety pin of the extinguisher, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, and spray. Remember to direct the spray at the base of the flames, not randomly at the fire itself.

[SanAlexis]

From a safety perspective, it is indeed advisable to carry a fire extinguisher when driving at high speeds. Although there is no national mandatory requirement for small vehicles to be equipped with one, the high speed on highways and slow emergency response mean that in case of smoke from the engine compartment or overheating tires leading to a fire, having a fire extinguisher can enable timely self-rescue. I once witnessed a car in front of me emitting smoke, and the driver managed to extinguish the initial fire using their own fire extinguisher after pulling over—otherwise, the consequences could have been unimaginable. Now, I always keep a 1kg dry powder fire extinguisher in my trunk, securely fixed in a corner without taking up much space. Regularly checking that the pressure gauge needle is in the green zone is sufficient, as safety is no trivial matter.

[OCecilia]

As a veteran driver who frequently takes long-distance trips, I believe this is not an area to cut corners. On highways with dense traffic flow, vehicles operating continuously under high loads are prone to electrical short circuits or fluid leaks. Last year, a colleague's car suddenly sparked in the engine bay at a service area—had it not been for the fire extinguisher on hand, it would have burned down to a shell. Nowadays, there are compact canisters specifically designed for sedans that can be easily clipped onto the trunk's mesh pocket. It's advisable to choose reputable brands, pay attention to the expiration date, and shake the extinguisher every six months to prevent the powder from solidifying.

[VanMargaret]

There's no legal requirement for passenger cars to carry a fire extinguisher, but it's strongly recommended for safety. Regulations only mandate fire extinguishers for buses and hazardous material transporters. However, highway assistance takes at least 20 minutes to arrive, while a vehicle fire can fully engulf a car within 3 minutes in the initial stage. We recommend using water-based extinguishers for their compact size and residue-free operation. Storing it within the driver's reach is ideal - it provides a 10-second advantage over trunk storage when dealing with engine compartment fires.

[MicahMarie]

Highly recommend keeping one in your car. Last month on the highway, my brake pads suddenly overheated and started smoking. When I pulled over, flames were even shooting from the wheel well. Luckily, I had a fist-sized mini fire extinguisher in the glove compartment - using it immediately saved me from major repairs. Nowadays, car fire extinguishers cost just a few dozen bucks. Get one with a pressure gauge, and make sure the needle stays in the green zone. Important: Never store it in direct sunlight, as summer heat can cause the canister to explode.

[MaverickDella]

Considering the vehicle usage scenarios: It can be omitted for regular urban commuting, but it is highly recommended to carry one for continuous highway driving exceeding two hours. When the engine operates at high RPM for extended periods, the turbocharger temperature can reach 700°C, making oil pipe leaks extremely hazardous. I prefer to secure the fire extinguisher under the driver's seat using Velcro straps. Pay attention to the fire rating when selecting – a 1A21B specification can handle common vehicle fires. For maximum safety, have it professionally inspected for seal integrity at a fire equipment store every six months.