Fire extinguisher for daily steet car

I was one of the idiots saying that I didn't need one. My 308 had an engine compartment fire and costed me about $15k to fix because my insurance wouldn't cover it. I am just now about to get my car back on the road after 5 years of restoration. Don't be dumb like I was, its an expesinve mistake to learn from.

 

First let me say:

1. I think you should carry an extinguisher.
2. I carry one in the 355

Now, why would they not cover it under your insurance?

 

I think I like the idea of having the unit right beside me in the car....just in case I was trapped inside, even if only for a short while. I'd hate to be sitting there with my eyes open wishing I had the darn thing at hand.

Sounds like just like one of those nightmares!

An extinguisher in the engine compartment should be an automatic remote unit such as those used on boats. If you open the engine bay to get at a fire you'll no doubt make it worse.... before it hopefully gets better.

Just my two cents worth.

 

One change that was suggested by Peter Rychel, is that the bracket should have mounting holes, rather than slots. In an impact, the bracket my come loose with slots, and the extinguisher could move forward and impact the passengers legs, and/or ankles/feet.

 

Along the lines of Dave's post, can these things burst, assuming a severe enough front or side impact?

 

To still allow easy installation and removal, you could make the slots sideways (coming in from the side instead of the end) and that would take care of that issue. However, I don't think it's an issue in real life, since I wouldn't be able move my bracket forward with a crow bar if I had to without first loosening the seat bolts!

 

Exclusions. I was young at the time and didn't bother to read my policy really well. What can I say, I was 24 with a Ferrari, the only thing going through my mind was the car at the time.

 

Actually, Peter made me a bracket with holes, and it is still VERY easy to install/remove.

Regards,
Dave