Why do I get an electric shock whenever I get out of the car?

Question

How can I stop it from happening?

Answer 1

Static electricity, this will occur when air and Microscopic dust particulars pass over the skin of the car causing friction. Most days not enough charge will built up to jump from the charged objected to a ground object. But if the external environment is extremely dry, the charging process will rapidly increase. The reason why you get a shock is because the car in insulated from the ground by tyres on your car. A remedy to to buy a ground strap and attach it to part of the car with the other end trail behind touching the ground.

Answer 2

A car travelling along the road builds up a charge of electrons from static electricity, rather like a Van Der Graff generator. Because the tyres act like insulators, over time the car has built up a charge of electrons and it has a greater potential difference than the surrounding earth. When you stop the car and open the door to exit, as soon as you touch the ground, in theory, this electrical charge should be equalised through your shoes. However, because your shoes have synthetic or rubber soles, they will more than likely act also like insulators. As you were in the car, you now also posses an electrical charge of electrons, just like the car. When you touch either the car, or an object that is in direct contact with the earth, the potential has to be equalised and the flow of electrons takes the least path of resistance (you!) which manifests as a spark. You can't stop the charge building up (some say an 'earthing rubber' on the car works) but you can minimise the 'pain' of the shock by using your car keys to discharge the energy build up, instead of your fingers. Because the electrical charge is measured in many thousands of units called volts, it can create quite a spark, however it doesn't present much of a health risk, as it carries very little current (measured in amps - in this case even micro amps).

Answer 3

REASON:
Air friction as the car moves through the air. The car is insulated with rubber tyres so does not loose the charge of static electricity.
When you get out, you touch the gound and the metal part of the car.

SOLUTION:
- the earthing strip others have said will work. It connects to the bottom of the car near the exhaust and has wires in the rubber strip to earth the car. If you are not mechanically minded, there are things you can do
- wear rubber soled shoes. You will be insulated when you get out.
- Don't touch the metal part of the car when you get out. Push the glass window to close the door. Glass is a good insulator too.
- Or get some guy to open the car door for you. He will get zapped discharging the static electricity. He will always remember you ;)

Answer 4

It's a build up of static electricity, materials like nylon (in car carpet)are great for building up a static charge.Example: If you slide your shoes over the carpet you will build a charge + and - between you and the car. To stop getting the electric shock, you need to fit one of those silly rubber strips that you see hanging from the back of some cars. The strip touches the ground and eliminates the static build up in your car, which would normally discharge when you touch the car's steel body and the ground (a short circuit - you are the link to conduct the electrical charge).

Answer 5

stop dragging your feet on carpet when you walk, or drive. The more you rub on a high friction surface, the higher the buildup in your body. Also, find something metallic, that is part of the car, to contact while driving. Touch it regularly to discharge the static when it builds to lower levels (you won't even feel it discharge), so it never gets to higher levels.

As for why ... you body contains a built it electrical system, and the cells of your body are capable of storing energy like a battery. Your body maintains the energy level of those cells at optimal levels constantly, so if energy from outside is added to the cells, it will accept it, but it doesn't want it or need it to function best. Therefore, when it gets a chance to offload the excess, it does. Some people's electrical system is not working optimally, so they are creating too much for their own cells, which means they are always discharging. To find out if you are that way, see a doctor. I'm not sure if there is a treatment.

Answer 6

Static electrical charges build up on the car as it passes through the air, and can't be discharged because the only parts of the car touching the ground are made of good insulators, so when you touch the metal door handle, then step on the ground, that charge escapes to earth through your body. Here in Australia, some people attach rubber strips to their car, with metal wires inside, which contact the ground, but you could try wearing cotton, vinyl, or rubber gloves (even a plastic bag), just before you get out, or carry a piece of wire with bare ends, hold one against the door handle and allow the other end to touch the ground.

Answer 7

It's static electricity, try wearing cotton and not nylon, that's a start, also, before you actually get out, touch metal inside the car to discharge any static, third item, buy an anti-static strip. That's a strip of rubber you mount under the back of the car and it has to touch the ground. That's an Earth which stops static building up on the car body. Also, you could close your door by either pushing it with your knee or elbow, just don't touch metal with bare skin!

Answer 8

Your tires generate static electricity due to the interaction with the road. Get a grounding strip.

MAKE SURE YOU DO GET THAT SHOCK BEFORE YOU START PUMPING GAS, if you start pumping and then get the shock as you are doing it, there have been cases of fires. For some weird reason this happens to women more often as they are apparently more likely to get out of the car in a such a way as to not touch the metal bits and get that shock while it is still safe to do so.

Answer 9

The easiest way to stop this from happening is, Hold the edge of your door at the metal while you slide out of your car. The static you create will flow into the car body without shocking you. If you do ground your car with a wire touching the earth. You could possibly be shocked in a lighting storm.

Answer 10

Ever noticed how some cars have a single piece of rubber hanging down to the road from the back of the car. That is what you need to stop the static electricity when you get out of the car, or if possible, get out of the car in barefeet.