'Electric' shocks off my car

fivetide

penrhyn wrote: »

Hold on to the cars metalwork as you exit, then you won't build up a static charge.
The dry weather has resulted in very low relative humidity levels which don't help.

This. I had a Ford Escort that was a nightmare for this. Simply holding the door as you got out cures the issue.

And in MSE style, it's free.

Gloomendoom

Wasn't static electricity discharge the cause of some petrol station fires in the US?

If I remember correctly, the cause was traced to the Yank practice of setting the catch on the filler nozzle and then getting back into the car while the tank fills up. If the nozzle is the first thing that is touched when the customer gets back out of the car when the tank is full, the static earths through it and starts a fire. One reason the catches are removed on UK pumps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuZxFL9cGkI

Incidentally, if it happens to you don't pull the nozzle out of the tank. Leave the nozzle in the tank and hit the emergency button.

Strider590

thehappybutterfly wrote: »

I keep getting really bad static shocks when I shut my car door. I find myself yelling the f word in the middle of car parks / in front of my elderly neighbours etc.

The car seats are velour and I've been wearing a wool coat these last 6 months (it's been a loooong winter!). Could this be causing the problem? If so, this might wear off when the warmer weather comes in.

Would those rubber strip things which hang at the back of the car work?

I'm getting nervous every time I get out the car!

No they don't work and you'll look like an idiot using one.

Your getting a shock because you have man made fabric seats and when you exit the car you probably spin around on said seat and then slide off.

I'm betting it doesn't happen so easily when your wearing non-stretch denim jeans.

Get out of the car without sliding around and generating static.

StrongWork

thehappybutterfly wrote: »

I might need to take up naked driving again! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

*checks location*

A wee bit nippy for that I'd have thought!

keith1950

'Electric' shocks off my car
I keep getting really bad static shocks when I shut my car door. I find myself yelling the f word in the middle of car parks / in front of my elderly neighbours etc.

You are not getting electric shocks OFF your car, a build up of static on you is discharging to earth through , in this case , the car.

Try wearing less man made fabrics , it can be made worse by acrylic type carpets and car seats......sounds like your a real 'bright spark' .......sorry couldn't resist.

As advised ,if you cannot stop the build up, get hold of the car door frame before getting out of car.

CKhalvashi

Our 406 did this, and I'm sure an old Merc I had in Russia did the same.

Hold the door on the way out sorts the issue.

CK

Richard53

Just had a thought: a lot of people are recommending touching the door as you exit the car, and this seems to work for me too. But the door is painted with several coats, and probably a layer of clear coat on top of that. It's surely not a very good conductor of electricity. Say you were doing some electrical fault-finding with a test lamp or multimeter - would you choose a painted surface for your earth? I wouldn't.

Is this just an old wives' tale?

sabretoothtigger

Still works probably, theres more metal then paint.
Simple point is that your fingertips are very sensitive, its not actually doing you any harm beyond a millisecond.
Close the door with your knuckles or a fist and you can barely feel anything, even the palm is going to feel much less and distribute contact over a wider area.
I often use my leg and then my hip

photome

If you think its bad here, try going to Vegas this time of year were it is so dry I get static shocks off everything I touch including every slot machine, hotel doors,lifts, cars, it is unpleasant and loud.

I havent had shocks off cars in the UK until this last couple of weeks, will try grabbing door frame before I get out and see what happens

thehappybutterfly

thanks for all your advice. I'll give the 'grab the door frame before moving' a try. I don't think my hubby would be too chuffed if I start kicking the door shut. It's an old jalopy but that's not the point.

I must admit, the best piece of advice on here is from Keith1950. I believe I should throw away all my clothes and restock my wardrobe with new expensive all-natural-material clothes. All in the name of health and safety and MSE-recommended. Thank you Keith!!