Electric shock when getting out of the car?

Question

Why do I always get zapped when I leave the car in winter. It happens in summer, too but less frequently. And, most of all, how can I prevent it?

Answer 1

Have you had your tires replaced lately?

Here is the reason and a "fix".

Up until about 5 years ago tires used carbon black to make them, well, black. Carbon is a conductor, so as the static charge from using a car built up it was discharged through the tires harmlessly to the ground.

Now, very few tires use carbon black as a colorant mostly because of the cost so now the static buildup has nowhere to go until YOU touch something metal... in essence you discharge the static.

So, you have 2 solutions... either continue to be shocked, or install a ground strap that hangs under your car from something metal and touches the ground... tractor trailers often have this feature especially if they are carrying flammable materials.

Answer 2

For some reason (I just don't know what it is!) there is more static electricity in the air during the winter, maybe something to do with the dry air.
I don't know how you can prevent it, but I have noticed that certain shoes are worse than others. I have a pair of chucks and regular tennis shoes that I only get shocked once or twice a day, while if I wear my fake ugg boots I get shocked every freakin time I touch my filing cabinet (which is like 100 times a day) and other things as well. It's so bad that even when I am not touching something metal, or not wearing those shoes I still hesitate before touching anything!

So try wearing some different shoes and see if that helps! It's probably your shoes rubbing against your carpet, or floor mat and that is why you get shocked when climbing out of the car.

Answer 3

because of the low humidity and cold temperatures your body and clothing are acting like a generator. up to 50,000 volts per episode. get a cling fabric softener sheet, any as long its also for static cling rub on seats and that's it. repeat as needed usually 3-4 wks

Answer 4

You have vynal seats, right? It is static electricity and the coat you wear makes the problem worse in winter. I wish I knew a really good way to stop it

Answer 5

static electricity from the carpet and your seats and clothes. try spraying your pants with static guard.

Answer 6

static, from your clothes on the seat, dont wear clothes, at least thats what i do.