Static Electricity

[yaroa]

Ok guys, dont make fun of my stupid q.
Every time I get out of my car, when I try to insert the key to lock it up, I get zapped by static electricity. How do you prevent this?
If I get out of the car while holding the door or touching any part of the car, I dont get zapped, but who's gonna remember that all the time http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
The funny part is when it happens you jump, then look around to see if anybody saw you jumping.

[Sharpy]

lol
you could put an earth strap on your car, you know the strip that hangs down usualy with a lightning symbol on it.
Or stop wearing nylon underwear. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[yaroa]

Hey I just noticed, today is my Sysopt anniversary, so go easy on me http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
Sharpy, lol

[noresull]

Hate to tel you, but when I was working for a Ford Dealer, there was a Service Message saying this is normal. Without going into detail, it's due to the amount of static electricity that gets built up while driving down the road. It all takes place because of the brakes, the pads are made of a semi-mettallic compound and acts like a carpet, when the rubbing starts, it has no where to go because the tires insulates it from the ground. When you get out, ZAP it goes to ground!

You can just do what I do, buy a vehicle with leather interior!

(Then sell it http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif)

John

[Susan]

I have velor material inside of my car and have the same problem you are experiencing.

What I finally did was to go out and buy a can of Static Guard. Works great.

[jl123]

Hey i know how you feel. I don't drive but my mom used to have a 96 dodge van and everytime i would get out i would get shocked. People might not believe it but, dang does it hurt! And one more thing, my dad bought those earth strips (WITH THE LIGHTING BOLT ON IT) one week after we traded it in for a Ford Explorer. I've been happy since http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

~Joel(jl123)

[Szech]

When you grab the door first, it grounds you. So if you never want to get shocked, either remember every time, or move to someplace more humid.

[Algee7]

As a related matter, Shell put out an advisory stating that people who sit in their car while pumping gas MUST ground themselves when they get back out before touching the gas nozzle (or touching the car body near the fuel door). Seems there have been a few instances of flash fires occurring from the static spark this thread refers to. They recommend grounding yourself to the door frame or anywhere that's not near the tank filler...No deaths have been reported but injuries and property damage have...

[jl123]

Wow i didn't know it was that dangerous. If you think about it, it can possibly happen tomorrow. That's something to think about. I never knew that. I know next time i'll be more careful. Thanks for that info. It might just save our lives http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

~Joel(jl123)

[welsh wizard]

If you watch when you touch the door handle in the dark you can some times see the blue flash as the static arcs between you and the car, this can be a bigger flash tyhan some of those fancy electronic gas lighters, so when you fill up ask your self would you go flicking a lighter in a gas station on a hot afternoon while pumping gas into your tank, also remember you can act like a walking Cap, so if you go inside and pull your system apart think what you can do to your New PC 133 Ram stick or that Athlon you were about to instal http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif JAT
WW

[alpha]

I ware a lot of fleeces, and after taking one off, I can feel the build up of static (I wear rubber soled shoes). Once I was so charged up, I could actually ground myself on my ceramic sink! I find that when you're all staticy, grounding yourself using the bottom knuckle of your thumb doesn't hurt like using the tip does.