Where Are Fire Extinguishers Located in a Vehicle?

The Short Answer

In vehicles that have one, a fire extinguisher is usually held in a bracket within reach of the driver or in the cargo area. Common spots include under or in front of a front seat, on a trim panel in the trunk or cargo area, inside the cab near the driver's door on trucks, and near the main entry door on RVs and buses. The exact location depends on the make, model, model year, trim and market, so the owner's manual or a check of the vehicle itself is the only reliable way to confirm it for a specific vehicle.

Does Your Vehicle Have One at All?

Whether an extinguisher is present depends largely on what kind of vehicle you drive and how it is used.

Ordinary passenger cars, SUVs and pickups: in the US, a factory-installed extinguisher is uncommon. Some models offer a bracket or extinguisher as an accessory or include one on certain trims. Vehicles built for markets where carrying an extinguisher is expected or required: some imported or European-designed models have a provision for a bracket, often under a front seat, even when no extinguisher is supplied in the US. Commercial motor vehicles: federal motor carrier safety rules require most trucks and buses in commercial service to carry a properly rated extinguisher that is securely mounted and readily accessible. RVs and motorhomes: these generally include an extinguisher from the factory, typically near the entry door or the galley. Fleet, police, emergency and motorsport vehicles: these usually carry extinguishers as part of their equipment, mounted according to the operator's or sanctioning body's requirements.

Typical Fire Extinguisher Locations by Vehicle Type

Vehicle type | Where to look first | Notes; Passenger car or SUV | Under or in front of the driver or passenger seat; trunk or cargo-area side panels; near the spare-tire well | Often absent from the factory; check accessory equipment and the owner's manual; Pickup truck | Behind or under the rear seat; under a front seat; aftermarket bracket in the cab | Truck-bed mounting exposes the extinguisher to weather and may make it harder to reach quickly; Commercial truck or tractor | Inside the cab near the driver's door or seat; sometimes on the floor or a side wall of the cab | Must be secured and readily accessible under commercial vehicle rules; Bus or passenger van in commercial service | Near the driver's position or the front entry door | Often marked with a sign or label; RV or motorhome | Near the main entry door; in or near the kitchen area | Towable trailers may also have one near the door; Performance or track vehicle | Bracket on the floor or seat base within reach of the driver | Mounting is usually rigid and quick-release

How to Find It in Your Vehicle

Check the owner's manual index under terms such as fire extinguisher, emergency equipment, safety equipment or vehicle tools. A diagram of the cargo area or seats often shows the location. Look under and around the front seats, including the front edge of the seat base and the floor between the seat rails. Open trunk or cargo-area trim panels and storage compartments, including the area around the spare tire or tire repair kit. In trucks and buses, look along the cab walls, behind the driver's seat and beside the entry door. In RVs, check beside the entry door at floor or waist height and near the cooking area. If you bought the vehicle used, remember that a previous owner may have removed the extinguisher or added one in a nonstandard spot. An empty bracket is a clue that one used to be there.

How to Recognize a Vehicle Fire Extinguisher

Vehicle extinguishers are usually compact compared with the ones mounted on building walls. Most are cylindrical metal canisters with a handle and squeeze lever on top, a safety pin held in place by a tamper seal, a short hose or nozzle, and often a small pressure gauge. Red is the most common color, but extinguishers supplied with cars may also be silver, chrome or another finish to match the interior.

The label is the most reliable identifier. It shows the fire classes the extinguisher is rated for: Class A covers ordinary combustibles such as fabric, paper and upholstery; Class B covers flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil and other fluids; and Class C covers energized electrical equipment. For vehicles, an extinguisher rated for at least Class B and Class C is the usual choice, and many vehicle units are multipurpose ABC types.

Items Commonly Mistaken for an Extinguisher

Tire sealant cans and tire inflator kits: often stored in the same trunk compartments and may be cylindrical, but they have a hose meant to connect to a tire valve and labels referring to tires or inflation. Aerosol products such as cleaners or lubricants: these have spray caps rather than a lever, pin and gauge. First-aid kits and roadside emergency kits: usually soft or hard cases rather than pressurized cylinders, though some roadside kits include a small extinguisher inside. Warning triangles: flat cases often stored near the extinguisher location in the cargo area. Compressed gas cylinders in RVs or work trucks: propane or welding cylinders are larger, have valves rather than a lever and nozzle, and must never be treated as an extinguisher.

Where to Mount One If Your Vehicle Has None

Many drivers add an aftermarket extinguisher. The general principles for placement are the same ones that guide factory and commercial installations.

Keep it reachable. You should be able to get to it quickly after leaving the vehicle or from the driver's seat. Locations deep under cargo or behind locked compartments defeat the purpose. Secure it with a proper bracket. A loose extinguisher can become a projectile in a crash or roll under a pedal. Metal brackets with a strap or quick-release clamp are common. Avoid blocking seat movement, airbags, pedals or wiring. Under-seat brackets must not interfere with seat adjustment or anything installed under the seat. Think about temperature and weather. Interior mounting usually protects the extinguisher better than an open truck bed or exterior box. Check the label for the manufacturer's stated temperature range. Choose an appropriate rating. A unit rated for at least Class B and Class C fires suits typical vehicle hazards; multipurpose ABC units also cover burning upholstery and other solid materials.

Keep It Ready

An extinguisher in the right place only helps if it works. Periodically check that the gauge, if present, reads in the operating range, the pin and tamper seal are intact, the nozzle is clear and the bracket is still tight. Follow the inspection and replacement guidance printed on the label. Replace or recharge any extinguisher that has been discharged, even partially.

If Your Vehicle Catches Fire

Knowing where the extinguisher is located matters, but your priority in a vehicle fire is getting people out, not saving the vehicle. Pull over safely, turn off the engine, get everyone out and well away from the vehicle and traffic, and call 911. Only consider using an extinguisher on a small fire if you can do so from a safe distance with a clear escape route. Do not fully open a hood when you suspect an engine fire, since a rush of air can feed the flames. With electric or hybrid vehicles, a battery fire can be very difficult to extinguish and may reignite, so move away and leave it to firefighters.