🚒 How to Install a Fire Extinguisher in Your Car (Step-by-Step Guide)

Car fires aren’t common, but when they happen, they can turn serious very quickly. Electrical faults, leaking fuel, or even heat from a track day can spark trouble. Having a fire extinguisher on hand can be the difference between a minor scare and losing your entire car.

That’s why more car enthusiasts are installing fire extinguishers in their vehicles. In fact, most motorsport events and track days require you to have one securely mounted before you can even get on the circuit.

The good news? Installing a fire extinguisher in your car is quick and easy if you use the right equipment.


Why Every Car Should Have a Fire Extinguisher

Even with modern safety systems, cars still carry risks:

  • Fuel leaks from high-pressure fuel lines

  • Electrical shorts and battery issues

  • Overheating on track days or spirited drives

  • Aftermarket modifications that add heat and complexity

A small fire extinguisher can prevent a total loss. It’s cheap insurance — protecting not just your car but also your passengers.


Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher

Not all extinguishers are equal. For vehicles, here’s what you should look for:

  • Size: A 1kg or 1.5kg extinguisher is ideal. It’s compact enough to fit inside the cabin, but big enough to tackle an early-stage fire.

  • Type: An ABE (Dry Chemical Powder) extinguisher is the most versatile, covering fuel, electrical, and general fires. Foam extinguishers are also good but less common in cars.

  • Accessibility: It needs to be mounted within easy reach of the driver — not buried in the boot where seconds are wasted.


Why You Should Use a Proper Mounting Bracket

This is the step most people get wrong. A fire extinguisher cannot be left loose inside your car. In a crash, it turns into a dangerous projectile.

Some people drill holes into the floor or console to mount a cradle, but this damages your interior and often makes resale harder.

That’s why at Kap Industries, we designed a range of fire extinguisher brackets that bolt directly to the factory seat bolts of your car. That means:

  • No drilling

  • No permanent modifications

  • Quick installation

  • 100% secure mounting

  • Fully reversible if you sell the car

Every bracket is laser-cut, powder-coated, and designed to fit specific vehicles like the Ford Mustang Gen 6 (2015–2023) and Gen 7 (2024+).


Step-by-Step: How to Install a Fire Extinguisher in Your Car

Here’s how easy it is to install a Kap Industries bracket:

Tools Needed: Socket set, wrench, fire extinguisher

Instructions:

  1. Slide the seat all the way back to expose the front seat bolts.

  2. Remove the front bolt(s) with your socket set.

  3. Position the Kap Industries bracket over the bolt holes.

  4. Reinstall and tighten the seat bolts through the bracket.

  5. Attach the extinguisher cradle (supplied separately) to the bracket.

  6. Secure the fire extinguisher in the cradle.

That’s it. In less than 10 minutes, your extinguisher is mounted securely and ready to go.

💡 Tip: Always mount your extinguisher on the front seat bolts, within reach of the driver’s seat. That way, if a fire breaks out, you don’t waste time trying to dig it out of the boot.


Track-Day and Safety Tips

If you’re planning to take your car to the track, check the event rules. Most tracks and motorsport clubs won’t allow you on the circuit without a properly mounted extinguisher.

Other safety tips:

  • Check the gauge on your extinguisher regularly — the needle should be in the green.

  • Replace or service extinguishers every few years, depending on manufacturer recommendations.

  • Practice removing the extinguisher from the cradle quickly, so you’re not fumbling in an emergency.

Where to Buy Quality Fire Extinguisher Brackets

If you’re looking for a safe, simple, and professional way to mount a fire extinguisher in your car, Kap Industries has you covered.

We’re the original creators of these seat-mounted brackets, and every design is engineered in-house for perfect fitment. Unlike cheaper imitations, we don’t cut corners or copy other people’s products.

👉 Check out our brackets for the Ford Mustang Gen 6 & Gen 7 here: 

 

We also make custom-fit brackets for dozens of other vehicles — from sports cars and 4x4s to daily drivers.


Final Thoughts

Installing a fire extinguisher in your car is one of the simplest upgrades you can do for peace of mind. Whether you’re heading to the track or just want to protect your pride and joy, a properly mounted extinguisher is essential.

With a Kap Industries fire extinguisher bracket, you can have a professional, secure setup in just a few minutes — no drilling, no mess, and no compromise on safety.

Stay safe. Drive with confidence. Protect what matters.

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