The shock you get when you get out of the car is a rapid discharge of voltage generated by frictional contact between your clothing and the car seat, not by the car moving through the air or along the road. Because as you drive you're insulated from the ground by the plastic steering wheel, controls, carpet and seat, there's no chance for the charge you've built up to dissipate until you stop and touch the metal of the door, at which point a spark occurs from your charged body to the car, not the other way around. Dry, cold air is a better conductor than moist air so that's why this happens more often in the winter. At any rate, this is why the fabric softener idea works--it reduces the build-up of electrostatic potential between you and the seat as you drive.

 

I used to get so pissed off at that. Finally I figured out an easy solution. When you open your door to get out, BEFORE your feet touch the ground, grab the top of the door (the metal black part) and then put your feet on the ground and get out. If you don't understand what I mean, think of being a really heavy and needing to pull yourself out of the car by holding onto the door . Basically, just make sure you are touching metal before your feet hit the ground, and continue touching the metal until your feet are on the ground.



Chris

 

My wife and I both have the same problem with our ES. I think it has something to do with the seats. I can sit in the car and gently get out without getting shocked, but if I turn really quickly and get out quickly I'll get shocked everytime. I may try that fabric softener idea.

 

Haha I thnk i understand now.

 

Yep, this method works great! Really need to practice it until it's like a 'reflex action'. But sometimes when my hands are full when getting out, I forget and I'm rewarded with a ZAP

To be exact, as long as you keep your hand in contact with the metal part of the door BEFORE your A$$ leaves the seat (and keep your hand there until your A$$ is completely off the seat) , you should be safe.

And one thing, don't actually pull yourselves up using the door. The door hinges are pretty weak and are not meant to hold up a person's weight, so you might bend them. (i usually just use a finger to hook onto the door)

 

or grab the a-pillar and pull yourself out

 

Are you guys all using carpet floor mats cause I have rubber ones over the factory matts & have never been shocked.

 

yeah, every time I get out I am scared to touch the door. At nighttime, I light up my fingers from the shock. Thank god it wasn't only me, Tahnks for the advice on the cure for this

 

i have clear rubber mats over my factory mats and I still get a nice shock therapy whenever I get out of the car w/o grounding myself first.

like others that have already said, it's your rubbing against the seat cloth while driving that charges you up for a nice ZZZZZAP!!!

 

k, so if it's your butt rubbin the seat that does it, then those so called "anti-static" antenna's don't do jack right?

 

you mean those things that the gasoline tankers have dragging on the ground?

not sure, but I doubt it'll work since it's YOU that's being isolated from ground with all the plastic/velour that you're in contact with, not the car itself.... anyone else can comment on this??

 

no no no... not those...
i've seen these antenna's that actually look like shorter fatter versions of the Audi TT or S2000 antenna, but they aren't for your radio... they *claim* to discharge the static into the air, but for $25CDN, i don't wanna stick another antenna on my car just ta deal with mucky adhesive and find out i still get zapped!!! anyone have one of these suckers or know anything bout em?

 

here, ignore the shitty sales plug... but this is what i'm talkin about...http://www.xtremewhite.com/AutoAcc-a...-1-1-1-1-1.cfm

anyone have one? and more importantly, does it work? thanks for any info!

 

here's pic of another one that pretty much looks identical to our P5 radio antennas...

 

Post from MP3-Owner on protegemp3.com:

"This is a case of......DUN, DUN, DUN, "CARS FIGHTING BACK!!!"

They have been driven hard for too many years and now they are "Fightning Back".

Yes ladies and gentelmen, these cars have had enough and they are not going to take it anymore!

It is time to fight back!

They are tired of being abused and they are tired of their owners not changing their oil every 3,000 miles.

You never know when these disgrunteled cars will strike again, so be carefull and for heavens sake, Treat you car with care!

As for those who don't heed these warnings,(you know who you are)BEWARE!!! HA HA HA HAHAH!!! HA HA HAHAHAHA!!!

Just had to make fun of this one"

hope you don't mind me putting this here.