4 min read
Where To Mount A Car Escape Tool (And Where Never To)
I have pulled escape tools out of the boot of a wrecked car more than once. The owner bought the right product and stored it in the one place they could never have reached.
The reach test
Sit in the driver's seat, fasten the belt, close your eyes and reach for the tool. If you have to lean, unbuckle, twist or open a lid with two hands, the location fails.
Repeat the test in the rear seat if you regularly carry passengers. Rear occupants in a rollover often cannot reach anything at the front of the cabin.
Locations that pass
Driver's door panel or armrest, mounted with adhesive or a bracket. Lower dash beside the steering column. Seat-side bolster within a hand's span.
For rear coverage, the back of a front seat headrest post or the rear door card. This is why buying two tools is a reasonable decision for a family car.
Locations that fail
Glovebox: needs a lean and often a latch. Centre console bin: usually below your reach when belted, and the first place water fills. Boot: no. Keyring in the ignition or in a bag: no, because your keys may be nowhere near your hand after impact.
Dash top in direct sun is a slower failure — adhesive fatigues and the tool goes loose in the footwell.
Common questions
How often should I check the mount?
Twice a year and after any deep clean. Press on it hard; if it shifts, remount it.
Is a keychain tool useless then?
Not useless — it is a good backup for rentals and other people's cars. It just should not be your only tool.
Our #1 rated escape tool fires with one press — no swing, works underwater.