Electrical Shock and Cars?

Question

Why do I keep getting shocked everytime I close my car door (on the outside)? I am going crazy.

Answer 1

Another trick to avoid it is to grab the frame of the door before getting out. The static discharge will still occur, but will drain away through your whole hand instead of the single, painful spark. It doesn't take any longer; when you have a foot touching the ground, it's over.

Answer 2

Static from sliding across the seat on the way out. Furnature companies have sprays to eliminate this. Or, your vehicle builds up a static charge on the outside from traveling. Note the static discharge lines dangling at a toll booth to discharge trucks before the toll collector gets zapped from touching the insulated (by the rubber wheels) driver.
If your car builds up static, try a car/truck parts store. They might have conductive straps that just touch the ground when the car is stopped, thereby discharging your vehicle to ground. They are a pain because they do wear and have to be adjusted frequently.

Answer 3

when you get out of the car, the fabrics in your clothing have generated a static charge. The car being a large steel object and having a nice grounding system due to all of the electronics on a modern car would be a very easy way for your body to dissipate the static discharge.

To prevent; modify your wardrobe (especially in dry winter months) to items less prone to develop static charge with the fabrics in your car. (you didn't say if you had a lamb's wool car seat cover - one of the leading causes of this type of problem) or take a regular dryer sheet (any brand will do) and rub that on your clothes & car seat prior to getting in the car. This should minimze the problem.

Answer 4

You should treat your car seats with something that prevents them form creating static. Try rubbing dryer sheets on them. They contain an antistatic substance.
You can also hold on to some metal part of the car before getting out of the seat and only let go of it after you left the car to prevent a shock.

Answer 5

First responder is correct. To deal with this, discharge the static charge with your ignition key by touching the door with it before closing the door. (Make sure that you are touching the metal part of the key, not just a plastic decoration.) The current density through your fingers will be too low to be annoying.

Answer 6

It is static charge as u slide across the seat. To prevent this hold your key firm in your hand and touch the handle to discharge the charge and then close the door.

Answer 7

When you exit your car, your pants rub against the fabric of your car seat, that creates static...and when you touch a grounded object, like your car, you discharge the static build up

ZAP!

Answer 8

Or, you could drive naked.