Getting shock off a car!!

Lavattack

This is my 1st thread starting so hope I get a response.

I used to get a random shock off a car in which I was travelling in the past, maybe once a month or so. It's not a big shock but rather annoying. Anyway since I came out to Canada, literally every time I travel by car I get a shock now. I get the shock when I stop and get out, when closing the door to be exact. Regardless of whether I drive or am a passenger. It happens in all cars/ vans I travel in not just one. I heard before that if you push the window to close the door you wont get the shock. That is partially true but the times that I don't get a shock when I open the next door (house,bar,restaurant or whatever) I get a shock still.

What I want to know is there a way to prevent this? Or is there a reason for this happening?

Feel free to share similar experiences.

RichieC

them little strips you see dangling down from behind the wheels prevent static buildup, I dont know what they're called, possibly grounders?

Ruu_Old

When you get out of the car, your clothes rub off the seat cover and produce the static and then you touch the car. Less of those 80's tracksuits!

Sunnyisland

Unplug it before you get in.

Archeron

You could harness this power and become a new superhero.

TeddyTedson

It is less likely to happen if you don't wear clothes. Maybe try just wearing a pair of shorts or something.

WoollyRedHat

Get someone to open all doors for you. It'll make you feel special and save you shocks.

Chuchoter

All the air rushing past the car creates static electricity and the car acts as an insulated conductor because of the rubber wheels. When you touch the car you earth all the charge. You need to get those hangy down things from the car that will get rid of the static.

Snowc

Its probably a fault with the battery.Plug out the battery when the car is not in use ,this might stop any extra current going around the car and giving you a shock

Alter-Ego

I once got a shock of a trolley in Tesco. It was something to do with the device that locks the wheel if you go too far away from the shop. It wasn't a small shock either. There were sparks.

Also the washing machine at home seems to shock me when I touch the drum inside so I try to avoid going near it. Kinda like the hamster and the cupcake in that Simpsons episode.

Lavattack

RichieC wrote: »

them little strips you see dangling down from behind the wheels prevent static buildup, I dont know what they're called, possibly grounders?

But see I own no car here, I got a liscence but the way it works here is the owner of the car insures it and anyone can drive it, so I drive a lot of different vans and cars so cant go getting those things for every car

Ruu wrote: »

When you get out of the car, your clothes rub off the seat cover and produce the static and then you touch the car. Less of those 80's tracksuits!

Ive tried wearing all sorts of clothes and still get em. And don't wear tracksuits let alone 80's ones

realies wrote: »

Unplug it before you get in.

???

Archeron wrote: »

You could harness
this power and become a new superhero.

Lol

TeddyTedson wrote: »

It is less likely to happen if you don't wear clothes. Maybe try just wearing a pair of shorts or something.

It has been in the minuses everyday out here so far but will try shorts.

WoollyRedHat wrote: »

Get someone to open all doors for you. It'll make you feel special and save you shocks.

As I said I still get a shock when I open the door to a house or whatever after.

crayolastereo wrote: »

All the air rushing past the car creates static electricity and the car acts as an insulated conductor because of the rubber wheels. When you touch the car you earth all the charge. You need to get those hangy down things from the car that will get rid of the static.

But why me and not the rest of humanity!!!! lol

W.Shakes-Beer

Ah yeah, I remember working in a shop that had a carpet floor. By sliding your shoes as you walked it was possible to generate a charge good enough to start a car.

The other staff and myself used to slide around like gobshítes blasting eachother, usually when one of us was serving a customer.

Captain_Generic

crayolastereo wrote: »

All the air rushing past the car creates static electricity and the car acts as an insulated conductor because of the rubber wheels. When you touch the car you earth all the charge. You need to get those hangy down things from the car that will get rid of the static.

Right. Magic. Got it

Kimono-Girl

Alter-Ego wrote: »

I once got a shock of a trolley in Tesco. It was something to do with the device that locks the wheel if you go too far away from the shop. It wasn't a small shock either. There were sparks.
.

those damn Tesco trolleys always give me an unmerciful shock when they are on those escalators.

RichieC

Lavattack wrote: »

But see I own no car here, I got a liscence but the way it works here is the owner of the car insures it and anyone can drive it, so I drive a lot of different vans and cars so cant go getting those things for every car

I could probably buy easily detachable ones online somewhere and just clip it on every morning.

Savage Tyrant

For the last 2 months I've also been getting a small shock EVERY time I get out of the car. Can't remember it happening too regularly before then though. But it is literally every time now. Strange. Can't think of anything that has changed.

Lavattack

Savage Tyrant wrote: »

For the last 2 months I've also been getting a small shock EVERY time I get out of the car. Can't remember it happening too regularly before then though. But it is literally every time now. Strange. Can't think of anything that has changed.

Well at least the universe isn't just out to get me and me alone I guess. Going back home for a while next week, will be interesting to see if the shocks follow me across the Atlantic lol

Overheal

Snowc wrote: »

Its probably a fault with the battery.Plug out the battery when the car is not in use ,this might stop any extra current going around the car and giving you a shock

Wrong

crayolastereo wrote: »

All the air rushing past the car creates static electricity and the car acts as an insulated conductor because of the rubber wheels. When you touch the car you earth all the charge. You need to get those hangy down things from the car that will get rid of the static.

Right

Happens in cooler, dry humidity conditions. The friction of air against the body of your car builds up Static Electricity. In normal Humidity it dissipates naturally but when dry the charge stays on the car.

You can close the door by the glass sure but I clench a fist, and push the door open by the metal with the Karate-Chop part of the side of my palm where there are really few nerves to make it a bother. Touching it directly with your finger etc. is pretty annoying.

I imagine you never see this in Ireland because - **** it, when is it ever Dry?

WoollyRedHat

Lavattack wrote: »

As I said I still get a shock when I open the door to a house or whatever after.

Just get a full time butler who will be on hand to open the door for you.

Lavattack

Overheal wrote: »

WrongRight

Happens in cooler, dry humidity conditions. The friction of air against the body of your car builds up Static Electricity. In normal Humidity it dissipates naturally but when dry the charge stays on the car.

You can close the door by the glass sure but I clench a fist, and push the door open by the metal with the Karate-Chop part of the side of my palm where there are really few nerves to make it a bother. Touching it directly with your finger etc. is pretty annoying.

I imagine you never see this in Ireland because - **** it, when is it ever Dry?

I will try and use that side of my hand later today and post how it goes, thanks.

WoollyRedHat wrote: »

Just get a full time butler who will be on hand to open the door for you.

Yeah thats great advice, why didn't I think of that!!

Liamario

Don't be such a moany boots. Use your newly acquired powers to get the Fukushima nuclear reactors up and running.

El Weirdo

This used to always happen to me if I was wearing Nike trainers.

Stopped wearing them and now I don't get any shocks when I close the car door.

Nike trainers also stink of cat's piss after a while.

Lavattack

El Weirdo wrote: »

This used to always happen to me if I was wearing Nike trainers.

Stopped wearing them and now I don't get any shocks when I close the car door.

Nike trainers also stink of cat's piss after a while.

I did buy a pair of new addidas runners about a month ago(when this started happening) and have been wearing them mo0st days.... maybe something in that. will test it later