why do i get a shock when stepping out of my car?

Question

Iget a nasty shock when stepping out of my car after a drive. I know it's static electricity but what can be done about it ?

Answer 1

The shock you're feeling is the discharge of static electricity built up in the car's body because of the insulating effect of the tires' rubber/carbon composition. The best defense against this is to be touching/holding a metal part of the vehicle's body as you leave the vehicle.

There have been T.V. specials that have shown people catching their cars on fire when they stop at gas stations to fill the gas tank, because they didn't discharge themselves, and when they touched the vehicle while filling the tank, the spark ignited the gasoline fumes.

Unless you want to add straps of either leather, or chains beneath the body of the vehicle to discharge the static charge, the best thing is to be holding the body as you climb out.

Answer 2

Static electricity builds up as you drive your car and when you get out your displace the electriciy and therefore get a shock. That is why you see a lot of cars driving around that have a piece of plastic hanging to the ground, when the vehicle stops the strip touches the ground and the shock is gone.

Answer 3

It might be your tires...normally static electricity will build up and then discharge through your tires into the ground. There were some tires that were manufactured some years back that were supposed to be more environmentally friendly...The tires didn't have as much carbon added during the vulcanizing process...but the tires insulated the car not allowing the built up static electricity to ground out.

Answer 4

Yes, static electricity building up between the seat of your pants and the car seats. As you step out, keep your hand in contact with the metal on the door at all time until your feel are on the ground and the charge will dissipate into the car body slowly instead of making the dramatic spark as you reach toward the door to close it.

Answer 5

You can buy grounding chains or straps at Canadian tire or Napa.
It is strapped to the frame of your car and periodically it touches the road while driving. This will reduce the amount of static electricity building up, while driving.

Answer 6

Well during the winter most doctors will tell you it is because of dry skin so use alot of lotion on your hands, arms etc....other than that the trick that I try to remember is to put your hand ON the car metal as you are getting out and don't let go until your body (except your hand) is completely away from the car...this keeps you grounded to the car and shouldn't cause shock plus try touching your car with the palm of your hand....i have never been shocked using my palm just my finger tips.

Answer 7

Attach a short length of chain to the frame of the car that is allowed to drag on the ground. This will prevent the car from building up the static charge.

Answer 8

All you can do is touch something metal before you get out of your car since the static will go into the metal and make it so it wont shock your leg

Answer 9

It is from the friction of your bum bum against your seat. And when you have the right combination of material it can creat electricity from friction and cause a spark. Not to scare you or anything, but I saw a video online where this girl got out of her car at a gas station and started her car on fire.

Answer 10

Install grounding straps on bottom of vehicle so they drag on ground. This will ground you and the car versus you being the ground and the car grounding through you after you step out.