static zapped! too often

Happens to all of us in this cooler, dryer weather with cloth seats. Touch metal on the frame of the car to ground yourself before sliding in or out. I just reach up and put a hand on the roof.

 

Did you know that's why some cars have that weird dog leesh type thing dragging along their rear bumper? I always thought it was a tribute to National Lampoon's Vacation. Anyway, short of that solution, I've tried everything people said and nothing works. I minimize the zap by closing the door with my elbow on the glass window. Works like a charm but I look like an idiot.

 

Hmmm... never happened to me yet, and I've had the PiP since April. Perhaps because my Advanced PiP has Softex seats?

 

As far as I know, you want that zap, or you will discharge yourself when touching the gas pump, phone etc, which might cause damage (but in most case won't). I actually touch the car on purpose right before I fill up.

 

I get shocked getting out of any car. I've taken to touching my shoulder to a door as I get out since the pain sensitivity from the shock is minimal on my shoulder compared to my hand.

 

more cotton, less synthetic fabrics...

 

Mythbusters should do an episode on this. I've heard this urban myth as well but is it really true?

 

Yes there's a security cam video of a woman doing this to her car.

 

I thought it had to do with the material composition of the tires. Less carbon......more carbon, something like that.
My last car was a 2010 Buick and it was zapping me but good every time I got out of it. My Prius does not create quite the zap that the other car did, but it is still present.

 

I just make a habit of touching the door with my elbow while getting out (greatly reduces the pain/reaction of the shock). I hear the little zap every time. My wife on the other hand can get in and out of it all day long without a single shock.

But I have to wonder if its the shirt I am wearing when it occurs. As a part time job I deliver for papa john's pizza and we wear these shirts that are extremely cool in the summer and down right cold during the cooler/colder months. When I get home I always take it off and you hear a boat load of zip zaps as I am taking it off...

I will have to pay more attention when I am not working, I don't recall getting zapped while in jeans and a t-shirt.

 

That is normal. That's why I prefer leather seat and/or seat cover.

 

Even better than an elbow or knuckle to discharge static is to use a metal object. If you use a key, for example, you can press it between your thumb and index finger and then lightly touch a metal part of the car. If you press hard, your fingers flatten out and the electron discharge is spread over a larger surface area than the pin point area that would receive the usual shock. Usually I can barely feel it.

 

It's certainly the clothing you wear. I can't remember the last time I shocked myself on any car.

 

I only wear cotton and depending on the humidity I still get shocked. I'm thinking that people who live where the humidity never gets below 20 - 30% are wondering what mental illness those who live where it can get below 5% are suffering from. When the humidity gets below 10% I've even received a shock from the stream of water at the bathroom faucet.

 

For years I have been in the habit of touching my forearm on the edge of the door frame before I touch it to close it. It is a very insensitive area of the body to take a shock and it is usually through a layer or two of coat/clothing which further dissipates it.

I even find myself doing it during the humid summer simply because it's a habit.

 

You know what's the worst? You and the wife both get out of the car after carpooling together. You lean in to give a goodbye kiss, and ZAP! Everytime. I try to tell her to touch the car, but somehow she doesn't remember.

I was actually wondering if all-weather, rubber mats might reduce the build-up. It seemed that when we put rubber mats in our last vehicle, the propensity of a discharge was reduced.

 

You have to stop wearing those Double-Knit slacks !!!