Static Electricity when touching your car

FOCUSonTHIS · 05-12-2011, 10:17 PM

I have recently purchased my AUIII XR6 and every time I get out of the car to close the door. I get a zap from the door.

My old cars that I used to drive, never had this issue.

My question is, where does this static electricity build up from and is there anyway of removing it from the car so I don't get a zap each time. Or do I have static electricity built up in me?

Scott · 05-12-2011, 10:22 PM

Get an anti static strap from Supercheap.

Geez Louise · 05-12-2011, 10:23 PM

Put a anti static strip on the back of your car.

Always good to open the door and touch the metal frame of the door, whilst you are still seated and then put your feet on the ground or you can touch a metal part of your car with your key as you are getting out. Won't shock you as much.

swanee · 05-12-2011, 10:24 PM

As silly as it sounds... do you notice it more when you wear a certain pair of shoes when you drive? Or is it all the time?

Reason I say this... is that when I used to drive my (manual) ute with my crosstrainers... I got sapped nearly every time I got out. Maybe something to do with changing gears and moving you foot across the carpet?

Falcman0o7 · 05-12-2011, 10:27 PM

Our AU 2 XR8 gives me a ripper of a shock! Got a beauty the other day! I cursed in the car park while some old girl gave me a dirty look.

Geez Louise · 05-12-2011, 10:28 PM

Electrostatic charges (static electricity) is/are caused when two materials rub against each other, more often than not in a car, it is your clothing on the seat.

FOCUSonTHIS · 05-12-2011, 10:28 PM

I don't want to get that anti-static strip for the back of my car. I don't feel I have reached 75 yet!

Quote:

Originally Posted by swanee

As silly as it sounds... do you notice it more when you wear a certain pair of shoes when you drive? Or is it all the time?

Reason I say this... is that when I used to drive my (manual) ute with my crosstrainers... I got sapped nearly every time I got out. Maybe something to do with changing gears and moving you foot across the carpet?

Well I have actually noticed it when I do where my runners. Must be all the dancing on the pedals

flappist · 05-12-2011, 10:42 PM

Actually it is shocking that AU falcons had such huge potential yet met strong buyer resistance. The current designs have a better capacity to induce sales but the frequency of advertising does not resonate as farad it should.

flappist · 05-12-2011, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geez Louise

Electrostatic charges (static electricity) is/are caused when two materials rub against each other, more often than not in a car, it is your clothing on the seat.

Actually it is the body of the car moving through outside air that builds up the charge. Your tyres are the problem.

In the short term wet them a bit, in the long term buy tyres with less electrical resistance.

Scott · 05-12-2011, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Actually it is shocking that AU falcons had such huge potential yet met strong buyer resistance. The current designs have a better capacity to induce sales but the frequency of advertising does not resonate as farad it should.

Ohm I.

mistermxer · 05-12-2011, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Actually it is shocking that AU falcons had such huge potential yet met strong buyer resistance. The current designs have a better capacity to induce sales but the frequency of advertising does not resonate as farad it should.

sparky pants...

Geez Louise · 05-12-2011, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Actually it is the body of the car moving through outside air that builds up the charge. Your tyres are the problem.

In the short term wet them a bit, in the long term buy tyres with less electrical resistance.

I agree with that but clothing is an issue too

(no...don't try driving naked to prove me wrong!

)

No.6 · 05-12-2011, 10:59 PM

I used to get massive shocks from my BA XR6. Speaking of which, make sure you touch metal framework to discharge the static before you fill up your car with fuel too.

**GasoLane** · 05-12-2011, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swanee

As silly as it sounds... do you notice it more when you wear a certain pair of shoes when you drive? Or is it all the time?

Reason I say this... is that when I used to drive my (manual) ute with my crosstrainers... I got sapped nearly every time I got out. Maybe something to do with changing gears and moving you foot across the carpet?

Not silly, I get zapped when wearing Adidas but not when wearing Fila or Rivers.

AWD Chaser · 06-12-2011, 12:07 AM

Can also be caused (more so) by a dusty enviroment or dusty car...

Give your car a wash and see how you go.

You can get the static straps.. but mount it underneath your car, but in the middle (like where center console is) so it isnt as obvious...

geckoGT · 06-12-2011, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AWD Chaser

Can also be caused (more so) by a dusty enviroment or dusty car...

Give your car a wash and see how you go.

You can get the static straps.. but mount it underneath your car, but in the middle (like where center console is) so it isnt as obvious...

I did this on my old Grp A. I used to get horrible static zaps every time never got one after mounting a strap. I mounted it under the car near the centre of the vehicle so it could not be seen, worked a treat.

Much cheaper than changing your tyres and wardrobe.

XRtowcar · 06-12-2011, 11:02 AM

I trained myself to close the door of my BA with my foremarm and not my hand.
Isn't a problem now, as long as i have long sleeves on.
Or get out of the car holding onto the door and not letting go.
Any electricity will go through your feet to ground.

OffRoadFalcon · 06-12-2011, 12:15 PM

I get a zap from one of the family cars, the BAII XT. My guess is that I get it from the seats, and then when I touch the door as i get out, zap! So now everytime I get out, I very quickly tap the metal before I close the door with my palm, because the zap isn't as much of a shock there it seems. Then I close the door.

The AUII Futura wagon never ever delivers a zap.

Powdered Toast Man · 06-12-2011, 02:47 PM

Yep I'm zapped literally every time I get out of my BA. It's the seat material and my clothing that does it too me. Too much nylon (work tops and gym shorts). I always discharge myself by pushing on the door frame with my shoulder. Can always hear the loud crack too lol.

2011G6E · 06-12-2011, 08:58 PM

Combination of a particular seat fabric, clothing you're wearing, shoes, and weather conditions. Happens with some cars more than others, but new or old, it happens with practically all cars at one time or another. Our last vehicle, a 2004 Landcruiser 100 series, used to give us hoiking great shocks on a regular basis, especially in winter when the air was cold and dry. The G6E, haven't really noticed it, but the missus did get a boot the other week.
The car we had before that was a 2001 VX Lumina, and it used to do it now and then. My '82 Celica doesn't seem to do it at all.

Luck of the draw, really...

FOCUSonTHIS · 06-12-2011, 09:52 PM

Well wearing dress shoes for work today and I didn't get any static electricity zap, but as soon as I was wearing my runners. It's back!

mistermxer · 06-12-2011, 10:19 PM

don't wear your runners ?

FOCUSonTHIS · 06-12-2011, 10:20 PM

I am not going to be wearing dress shoes all the time

**aussiblue** · 06-12-2011, 10:24 PM

Silicon based car polishes and some other polishes and car washes can increase the build up of static electricity as the car moves through the air; what polish do you use? It's most commonly a problem in hot dry climates; never thought it would be an issue in Melbourne.