Why does my car keep shocking me?

[bogan]

Proper static strips aren't rubber, the ones supercheap used to sell we're a ribbon style cable to earth the chassis to the ground.

High brow eh, can't beat some tin cans and a bit of number 8 for functionality.

...WHY are you driving a "car" in the first place! (there a stupid bloody design!)

...its simply telling you to ride the bike more

Fucking aye!

...or at least wear your riding gloves while driving.


More seriously though, my van has a bit of dirt and some miscellaneous flora growing in the footwells, and I've never been shocked. So upend a potplant into yours and I'm pretty sure it'll fix take care of the earthing problem

[awa355]

Nope happens even if I wear all cotton, including my undies, good for breathability.

What do you expect? These would give anyone a shock.

[Banditbandit]

Is she hanging out a car seat cover to dry there?

[Mo NZ]

Put an earth strap on it.

What he said. Or drive nude.

[Road kill]

Your a woman,you deserve it.

Ok sorry,,put an earth strap on it,but not the rubber one the local taliban rep at super cheap tries to sell you.

Put a steel earth strap on it an you'll never have another problem.

Just a bit of flat battery lead will do it.

BTW,,,for obvious reasons rubber straps do nothing,,,,good stuff rubber,,,very insulating aye

[leathel]

Your a woman,you deserve it.

Ok sorry,,put an earth strap on it,but not the rubber one the local taliban rep at super cheap tries to sell you.

Put a steel earth strap on it an you'll never have another problem.

Just a bit of flat battery lead will do it.

BTW,,,for obvious reasons rubber straps do nothing,,,,good stuff rubber,,,very insulating aye

the proper static rubber ones do have integrated bit that transfer the juice.... they need to be long enough to get good contact... IE 1-2" longer than just touching

[PrincessBandit]

I'm also in the "touch part of the car before putting feet on ground" camp - usually I open the door, grab hold of the pillar or roof at the door then touch down. When I forget to do that...zaaaaaap (some days are worse than others).
Also, Mom, I also know what it's like to kiss or touch one of the kids and zap them too! (and it sounds like you're cracking fleas on a dog's belly)

[jellywrestler]

I also know what it's like to kiss or touch one of the kids and zap them too!

is that you Rolf Harris????

[Genestho]

I find the old "slam the fingers in the door" trick, works well as a distraction..

[F5 Dave]

Triboelectric charging, all good fun. To feel it you're probably getting a pass of several thousand volts. If you see it its 10,000.

But the real reason is your car hates you.

try punching it. It will make you feel better if you don't get a hard edge & the shock will be through your knuckles which have far less sensitive nerves in them.

Your shoes will make a big difference too. it happens on dry days as moisture will help the potential difference bleed down.

[Tazz]

Whenever you're in doubt, cover it in gas and set it on fire.

[MSTRS:Me]

We had a Subaru once...evil piece of shit it was too...always got shocks off that car. Didn't matter what was being worn or weather or whatever.
Discovered the "Hold on to a metal bit before putting foot on ground"
These days I still use that trick when I wear my Saucony runners. Only have the static problem when wearing them.

[Padmei]

I see that all the time ... tell me .. how will that help? Please don't tell me that it earths the car - rubber is an insulating material ... electricity - static or otherwise - will not travel down the rubber and earth out .. that's why the static builds up now - the rubber tyres stop the car earthing out ..

Actually this came up many years ago when I was at tech doing my sparky training. Apparently modern tyres have carbon in them that supposedly transfers current. I was told earth straps don't do F all as there are many parts that are isolated from the chassis.
Dunno if it's true or not as I haven't tested it. I get heaps of fricking shocks off my car - whoever coined the term "shock" hit the nail on the head.

[bosslady]

All interesting suggestions. Might do the touch the metal before putting foor on ground one.

[bogan]

These days I still use that trick when I wear my Saucony runners. Only have the static problem when wearing them.

Perhaps the problem there is you're driving in them instead of, ya know, running in them

Speaking of footwear and shocks, once neglected to insulate a running ignition coil quite well enough, could actually feel where the electricty was leaving my feet to complete the earth side of the circuit; you could say it was an electrifying experience