McLaren fire extinguisher button

[Ciro Pabón]

This is a really short question: what is this white and black "goo" on the otherwise neat fire extinguisherbutton of McLaren's cars?

[Encelado]

Probably some kind of rubber/silicon filler to prevent the button from accidental pushing ? It's just my guess.


Cheers

[RH1300S]

Looks like a clear plastic fim over the button, you can see it is coming away on the bottom corner. The "white" is probably reflections.

[manchild]

Just foil to prevent activation by rain.

[Carbon]

That's exactly what it is. Preventative measures so the driver or vibration doesn't trigger the extinguisher.

[manchild]

That's exactly what it is. Preventative measures so the driver or vibration doesn't trigger the extinguisher.

If they wanted to prevent that than they'd put something firm rather than soft foil. It is there only because mclaren has very opened front end of the cockpit so rain or foam from pitcrew fire extingusher can activate the switch.

Keep in mind that switch button is deeper than protective ring around it and that it is meant to enable easy activation even by hurt or semi-conscious driver. That cover has noting to do with those used on buildings where small glass window must be broken in order to press the button.

Also, vibrations couldn't be prevented by foil infront of the switch button.

[Ciro Pabón]

Thanks, all of you. Now I see it. Funny they let such an important thing as preventing shorts on a fire-extinguisher button to a film that thin.

[scarbs]

This is a williams button (FW25 IIRC)....

[manchild]

Thanks, all of you. Now I see it. Funny they let such an important thing as preventing shorts on a fire-extinguisher button to a film that thin.

Actually they don't. I mean before this Mclaren pic I've never seen it on another car and such swithces are used already for decades.

[pyry]

mybe because of the nature of the button the film is there purely so no dust or other debris can go in and make the thing look unneat(ron dennis). then another question, what is the boost button on the williams wheel?

[manchild]

I think it is the button that kills rev limiter enabling driver to use full engine revs for short period of time (overtaking on straights etc.)