Hey Everyone,

So now that the weather has once again gotten cold and the air has gotten dry in the NE, I have been having a major problem with static electricity and the MINI. Everytime I exit my MINI I cringe because I know that I am going to receive a huge shock when I touch the metal of the door. I have leather seats and it seems that everytime I am about to get out of the car I get charged up full of electrons. Then like Zeus I unleash a lightning bolt from my fingers to the door and follow that up with some choice explatives. If anyone has any suggestions on how I can prevent myself from being a human lightning rod please let me know.

Thanks!

 

Touch metal first, then step out. :smile:

 

Tried touching metal in the interior, still get shocked everytime.

 

Are you wearing a lot of synthetic materials? That may be part of the problem. I guess you'd better invest in an industrial-sized box of anti-static sheets to rub yourself and/or your seat down with??!!?? I don't know what else to suggest.....


Clover

 

Dryer sheets sounds like a good idea! I would smell so fresh and so clean too!:smile:

 

Rig yourself up a grounding strap if its that bad. I'd like to see you get shocked then.

 

This used to happen to me all the time with one of my other vehicles. Only that one, none other (we can't remember which one).

Someone suggested putting one of those static/ground type strips on the back bumper, they drag against the road and I guess it would release the charge or something along that principle. It was just too ugly to contemplate though. But, it's something to consider.

 

There are some little rubber strips that you can buy to elimanate this. I'm guessing you can buy these at any car parts stores. All it is, is a thin narrow rubber strip that drags under the car along the road, mounted underneath the car someplace to cushion the electric blow to your body upon exiting the car. You might have seen them already on other vehicles. They're a tad out-of-place to look at, but I'm sure you could attach it anywhere under the car to the frame.
Cheers,

 

all you have to do..is open the door...then step out and touch the key to the door before closing it...make sure you are not touching any metal of the key or the key chaing when you do it and it will transfer all static through the key to the car..then you can closethe door without a shock...if yu have tinted windows you can just touch the windows as tint is made of metal

 

Don't let it throw you. Been getting them for decades-*tic* *tic*. It can occur with any seat material and even wearing leather/waterproof gloves doesn't offer much in the way of protection. You get used to it. Of course every now and then I discharge that built up static electricity on my wife. Gets me a good punch, but the yelp of electrical surprise is worthy it.

 

I was about to say that getting shocked is no big deal and that there's nothing on you or your car that could be damaged by the wee shock...but Tuls raises an interesting issue. I'm not sure if consistently discharging static through the key is a wise idea. Remember that the key contains a chip that must retain its programming in order for you to start the car. It may be totally bad science, but I'm thinking that if you were to damage that chip (i.e., through repeated static discharge), then you may render your key worthless.

Better to just get shocked...or drag a rubber strip like grand-dad's 68 Buick. One of those chains that fuel trucks used to drag could look kinda cool too...

 

9 degrees and dry this morning. No static electricity. Like MINIClo suggested - it might be you - what you are wearing. Try cotton and extra fabric softener/dryer sheets.

 

An electronics teacher of mine once said he had a resistor attached to his keyring. He'd touch it to the car before getting in or getting out.

 

The static charge is created by the sliding motion of your clothing across the seat covering. Try holding onto a metal (grounded) part of the door or frame *while* sliding out. I think you'll find there isn't any or much of a shock.


Phill

 

try touching metal while you're exiting the car. (maintain contact as your
shoe hits the asphalt.)

Oops....a minute late on the keyboard....Phill has the right idea above.

 

funny...I know this guy who told me to do the exact same thing yet I still get shocked everytime I get out of my car...maybe it's just me. I am an amazing conductor of electricity. It's something I've possesed my whole life which I'm learning to cope with. I've been shocked by electrical outlets (myfault), light sockets (sort of my fault), my sister (not my fault) AND the popcorn machine at the movie theatre (also not my fault)...not to mention my best friend has been struck by lightnening twice...hmmm?

I've also noticed that those wonderfull plastic hampster playgrounds for humans have metal rivits which will zap you numerous times on the way down the tunnel slide combined with the plastic it creates a rather nice charge that is enough to make even the longest hairs stand up.

 

use your foot.

 

This looks like a good place for a a little safety suggestion for all. Watch out for static when filling up at the gas station. Imagine what would happen if you got back in your car while waiting for the tank to fill up then, after building up some static charge from sliding out of the car, you reach out to remove the filler .......

 

You need to touch the metal outside the car or where the metal is
grounded. You can't just touch any disconnected metal and hope for
the best.

I would highly NOT RECOMMEND discharging ESD through your
key. Although it is probably tested, I would not recommend it.

 

And Boom!


Touch any metal surface (like a post) before filling up and don't go back into the car.
See
http://archives.cnn.com/2002/US/12/05/gas.pump.fires/
http://www.truthminers.com/truth/static_electricity.htm
http://www.wltx.com/search/article.aspx?storyid=22368
See video-
http://www.wltx.com/video/player.aspx?aid=10081&bw=

Cell phones are mentioned as a risk (but probably that is doubtful).
Do be careful of others who are pumping gas.
Have an escape plan for all those in your car in case of emergency.
NEVER remove the gas nozzle from the filler port of the car while there are flames- it only serves to allow more gas to hit the fire and spread it which is very deadly.

 

Oooh, classy! When I think I might get shocked, I push the door closed with the back of my wrist where my shirt or jacket covers it. No shocks.

 

Its not just you (at least as far as the MINI is concerned). I always get shocked with I exit the car. I thought it was because I have space cloth seats and generate a charge as slide out of the seat. I didn't think it would be an issue with leather seats, but apparently it can be.

When I think about it, I can remember periods when I've had this problem with other cars. I think it may have come and gone, depending on the type of shoes I most commonly used. I don't know about you, but right now I almost always wear rubber soled shoes. I think it might be less of a problem with leather soles. Anyway, its a small price to pay.

 

it's just shock therapy...keeps me sane you know...


er....well.......
............sort of