WRXtra power

I have recently purchased my 1995 WRX and in the passengers footwell there is a orange stick that I was told by the dealer is a distress flare. Has anyone else got one of these and should I touch it??







This is my sandbox. Over there is the deep end, I'm not allowed to go in there. That's where I see the leprechaun, he tells me to burn things.

marcymarc555

Never known that ,, u sure its a flare,,, is this a wind up?

WRXtra power

No, god's honest truth. That’s what the dealer told me and it looks like one to. Quite a novelty actually. Part of me wants to let it off and the other half wants to keep it as an original part of the car (good talking point). The dealer said they are put in some Jap cars for when motorists break down in isolated areas.

Nice to know that in the land of technology there is still room for back to basics SOS calls.

marcymarc555

Ive heard of nissan pulsars having umberellas and flares as standard.

But never known a scooby have flares... U sure the last owner wasnt a climber or something,,,?

WRXtra power

lol, your guess is as good as mine...... Could you imagine the AA over here looking out for flares???? The M25 would be a mess.

corradoboy

You could always use it to do something like this.....



.....courtesy of Dazza, Canon EOS300D, a long exposure and some silliness

WRXtra power

Very Impressive, who needs sparklers when you can have flares......

Brit_in_Japan

They use flares here instead of red warning triangles. If you break down then you light the flare and put it on the road to warm approaching traffic of danger.

WRXtra power

Thanks Brit in Japan, well at least I know I am not going crazy now. Anyone else in the UK come across one of these with your import?

highlander68k

.....and there was one on ebay the other day.

I've seen a couple. They're not usually missed though. They obviously don't want to be transporting dangerous goods like that on the boat.

Nice picture corradoboy

stevie boy

i traded my uk turbo for a type r and about a week later found what i thought was a big red marker pen (dunno why you'd get a big red marker pen either!) i took the lid off and WOW a flare/firework?? (giant match head with abit of sand paper on the lid) having never grown out of the "burning stuff phase" i had to light it. stood in the middle of my dads garage with a burning smoke stick in my hand, sweet! after it had burnt an inch or so thought i better put it out just in case it went boom at the bottom, i runs outside trying to stub it out on the drive way, its not going out, i jumped on it a few times, panic is starting to set, leg it for the watering can and relax!

my mate had one in his import mr2 turbo, we let that off too!

stevie

richiewong

Unfortunately these flares are illegal in the UK

Just used my old flare clip to hold a torch instead

buff

i still have the flare in my passenger footwell,was going to take it out but i didn't know where to dispose of it.

WRXtra power

Keep it where it is, makes for great talking point. So far peoples faces when I tell them what it is go from a look of disbelief to fascination. Impreza interiors are dull, at least this gives it an edge... Anyway, you may need it one day!

scarey

why do you need the flare to make a talking point about a scoob's interior?!?!

you already have the "bright" button for that!

Chelspeed

I knew someone who used to work for a well known company that used to import a lot of jap cars. He had a big box of the flares that they took put of cars they'd imported "as they weren't legal in UK".

So he gave me one, not played yet, but it's only a matter of time....

Guess it's no more dangerous than driving round with a plastic box hanging under the back of the car holding 8 gallons of highly inflammable liquid.

WRBlu

I believe nautical flares can become unstable and as such they have a use by date, I would check if yours has one and maybe remove the flare if its past it. If you do want to let it off dont do it near the coast, they are still in use for boats in distress and will get reported to the coastguard if seen.

WRXtra power

They cant be that dangerous guys, I don't think they would be putting them in cars all over Japan if they were going to be putting you at risk. Besides, I don't think I have a bright switch and have no idea what one is. I have a new magic tree though!!!

bluenosewrx

iTrader: (2)

Wish i had a flare!. used to be a right little pyromaniac when i was younger,
setting fire to embankements and the like.(no houses though).
mac.

scooby-si

yes they are flares got 1 in mine and 1 on the wifes pajero

GC8

These arent projectile flares; they are much less dangerous than any firework. You slide the outer cover off and place the inner into it, using it as a handle; then you take the cap off and strike the exposed end. It burns like a big red safety match.

Simon

Jay_bee

iTrader: (1)

Only UK models have the amazing bright button.

My type R has the flare in the footwell still, I've some pics somewhere... I'll see if I can dig them out...

GC8

I holding one now; I cant imagine why people think that theyre illegal though.

Simon *peeping round the curtains*

AlanPPP

iTrader: (2)

LOL i got one 94 WRX

peachy wrx

WRXtra power! or gareth as i know ya! you gotta show me this thing when your round next mate!

donutman

i got one in my 04JDM STI

pp27sti

I have got an empty slot where one used to be , i have a jap import evo 6 and they all had them , even has a little slot/holder below the glove box for it , but mine was missing or used before i got it . Nevermind!

StickyMicky

imports did not get a bright button tho?