This may sound strange, but every time I get out of my Cooper, I reach out to close the door touching the door handle and ZAP!, I get a shock just like when I was a kid and ran around the house skidding my shoes on the carpet and touching the door ****. Does everyone out there have the same experience? I know it is new with brand new carpet and static electicity can be generated in my car, but it seems to me to be really powerful and it actually hurts! I cringe when I have to close my door, and that is insane! None of my other vehicles have ever done anything like this before. My question is, could it be an electrical short somwhere or am I just really sensitive?

 

You have cloth seats right? This is common. Try spraying your seats with anti static spray. It helped me tremendously.

 

also, hook yourself up with a set of Rubber floor mats, that might help too

might be coincedence, but after spraying my Space cloth with 303 fabric sheild, I haven't been shocked since. The ultra-humid weather has probably had impact, however.

 

Some time back Click and Clack addressed this issue. If I remember correctly, they said it had to do with a change in tire composition that caused a buildup of static electricity. Apparently, modern tires have more of a material I can't remember that causes this. I agree that cloth seats probably amplify this, as the POS rental I am driving due to some moron rearending my MINI, gives me a shock every time I get out!

Dave De Rosier
2003 DS/B MCS wounded, but will be well soon

 

I never thought of using an anti-static spray on the seats, thanks for the advice and I will try it out. As for the mats, I just bought new carpet mats and really can't get rubber right now. I'm just glad to hear that it is not a short in my electrical system, but damn, that static electrical charge is powerful! I now see why it is so important to ground yourself prior to fueling.

 

First ,,,I don't do the fueling,,,just give direction
rubber floor mats
no shocks

 

I always get shocked when coming out of cars, so I made it a habit of touching the door sill with my leg on my way out, and it shocks my leg or pant instead of the charge concentrating on my fingers.

Ryan

 

>>I always get shocked when coming out of cars, so I made it a habit of touching the door sill with my leg on my way out, and it shocks my leg or pant instead of the charge concentrating on my fingers.
>>
>>Ryan
>>
>>
>> GEEZ all we have to deal with is COLD nothing shocking

 

shocked on the MINI's door handle? it's plastic

 

>>shocked on the MINI's door handle? it's plastic
>>

I'm talking about the exterrior door handle, after exiting the vehicle and standing outside.

 

This is a very low-tech response, but I've gotten in the habit of closing the door by the window instead of the door handle.

BZZZZZZZT!

 

>>>>shocked on the MINI's door handle? it's plastic
>>>>
>>
>>I'm talking about the exterrior door handle, after exiting the vehicle and standing outside.
>>

it's plastic, too

 

>>>>>>shocked on the MINI's door handle? it's plastic
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>I'm talking about the exterrior door handle, after exiting the vehicle and standing outside.
>>>>
>>
>>it's plastic, too

Wow, I always thought it was metal/chrome! Is it a chrome plated plastic? BTW counrtym, I think it is probably a bad idea using the window to close the door, and it is even mentioned in the owners book not to do that. I guess it can stress the glass and possibly break. I think I would rather get the shock.

 

use a anti-static dryer cloth to open you door.. its not practical but the benefits might out weigh that, after all, your hand will be fluffy soft, smell fresh , AND be static free.

 

The teacher I had in my college electronics class had a resistor on his keychain. Before touching his car he would touch the resistor to the car, thus eliminating the ambient static charge.

This thread made me think of it, so I thought I would mention it. :smile:

 

seriosuly I keep a penny or quarter in my pocket and touch the bathroom door with it here at work... I get shocked everytime, becasue of the rugs here

 

>>
>>>>>>>>shocked on the MINI's door handle? it's plastic
>>Wow, I always thought it was metal/chrome! Is it a chrome plated plastic?
>>
>>

yep, i was surprised too
i was gonna podercoat them with the gas cap, but had to have them painted instead



_________________

 

>>The teacher I had in my college electronics class had a resistor on his keychain. Before touching his car he would touch the resistor to the car, thus eliminating the ambient static charge.
>>
>>This thread made me think of it, so I thought I would mention it. :smile:
>>

what about good old fashion ground straps

 

>>also, hook yourself up with a set of Rubber floor mats, that might help too

I've got the Rubber mats, and I get a mighty jolt if I'm not careful. You can see the spark at night ! YIPES!
Jim

 

it looks as if your generating the charge either through your clothes/shoes ( friction) and/or low humidity( running A/C?) ...static problems also check thisstatic in depth...you can discharge me later

_________________
Where's my cake Bedillia!

 

Whomever mentioned click and clack was right.. a caller had the same problem. One of them asked if the lady had new tires...I was thinking "WTF MATE?" Then they explained the static build up problems with new tires. The offered a few solutions noting that the best one was some type of metal device (I think of stringy consistency) that you attached to the frame of your vehicle that dragged on the ground. Apparently that takes care of all of the static generated by the new tires. They had a name for that metal hanging device and it sounded common, but I don't know what it was.

 

[QUOTE=countrym]This is a very low-tech response, but I've gotten in the habit of closing the door by the window instead of the door handle.

BZZZZZZZT!

_____________________-
I wouldn't do it that way for two reasons:
First you leave fingerprints on your windows, and second, you better hope your windows don't someday rattle from the necessary force to shut the door.

 

_____________
Yup, used to be common sight with a metal strap (or even a small chain) dangling from the car, making contact with ground.