Hi,
Everytime I get out of my 02 Taurus and close the door, I get
shocked. I've tried looking in my area auto part store for the
old-fashioned grounding straps (the kind you bolt to the frame and
drag on the road) but I can't find them.
So, my question is - what do I look for that would be causing the
static build up?
Thanks,
BD
DustyRhoades@mailcity.com - 15 Apr 2004 18:33 GMT
Change the clothing you are wearing.
mike hunt
> Hi,
> Everytime I get out of my 02 Taurus and close the door, I get
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> BD
C. E. White - 15 Apr 2004 21:26 GMT
Many new cars have this problem To lower the rolling
resistance of the ties, they aren't using carbon black like
in the good old days. The tires are now more effective
insulators and significant static charges build-up. Probably
if you changed the tires to "performance tires" the problem
would be reduced.
From
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?n=158,209&sid=209&article=6753
"Q--I have a 2003 Chevy pickup. Each time my husband gets
out of the driver's seat he gets a real jolt from static
electricity. He's almost to the point of installing a ground
strap. Somebody said they thought it might be the tires. Do
you have any thoughts on what causes this?
"A--Rubber compounds do differ among tire brands and even
tire models within a brand. Some tires contribute to static
buildup more than others, but replacing perfectly good tires
just to stop an annoying zap is expensive. Instead, I
suggest your husband touch a metal part of the door as he
exits to dissipate the electrical charge as it develops
while sliding across the seat.
"I also want to remind our readers to avoid returning to
their seats during refueling as a spark may fly when you
reach for the gas nozzle, which can trigger a fire."
Other references:
http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1994/November/11.html
Ed
> Hi,
> Everytime I get out of my 02 Taurus and close the door, I get
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> BD
sandy.hawes@ns.sympatico.ca - 16 Apr 2004 21:13 GMT
As the vehicle ages, minor surface corrosion on the body mount hardware acts
like an insulator and turns your car into a large capacitor. As you drive,
a charge is built up on the skin of the vehicle due to airflow (just like on
the rotors of helicoptors) and other normal galvanic reactions. There's a
few things you can do - number one would be to stop wearing polyester - two,
buy some ground straps (they sell them to eliminate motion or car sickness)
and three, put on a set of Michelin's or BF Goodrich tires. They have
higher carbon black and natural rubber concentrations.
> Many new cars have this problem To lower the rolling
> resistance of the ties, they aren't using carbon black like
[quoted text clipped - 40 lines]
> > Thanks,
> > BD
Backyard Mechanic - 17 Apr 2004 16:57 GMT
opined in news:28Xfc.21098$Np3.747739@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca:
> As the vehicle ages, minor surface corrosion on the body mount hardware
> acts like an insulator and turns your car into a large capacitor.
"I dont think so, tim"!
> As you drive, a charge is built up on the skin of the vehicle due to
> airflow (just like on the rotors of helicoptors) and other normal
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> Michelin's or BF Goodrich tires. They have higher carbon black and
> natural rubber concentrations.
Whatever... you have some pretty murky science, there..
But to the original poster, do you realize many people get in and out of
their cars without ever touching any metal of the car body?
That happens to me, occasionally UNLESS I grab the door frame, or put my hand
on the roof before I put my foot on the ground.... doesnt happen then, o
maybe i just dont feel it.
If it still happens to you, then the problem is likely the tires... but it's
the rolling friction that builds up the static charge... (remember the 'comb
through the hair' experiment?) "galvanics" has nothing to do with it.
Find a surplus house that has Aircraft static discharge wicks... or simply
some nice flexible wiring .. fasten to the underbody and cut it so that it
barely touches the ground. When vehicle is at speed, it wont touch but as
you stop, it should drop and discharge any buildup.
Also try an anti-static spray on your seats... fabic softener in a pinch.
sandy.hawes@ns.sympatico.ca - 18 Apr 2004 03:10 GMT
Perhaps if you made it past high school you would realize that other people
are sometimes correct. Please flick that booger you're picking and try
reading something on the subject. I use my real name when I post.......
> opined in news:28Xfc.21098$Np3.747739@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca:
>
[quoted text clipped - 30 lines]
>
> Also try an anti-static spray on your seats... fabic softener in a pinch.
Backyard Mechanic - 18 Apr 2004 03:58 GMT
opined in news:jslgc.21911$Np3.800302@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca:
> Perhaps if you made it past high school you would realize that other people
> are sometimes correct. Please flick that booger you're picking and try
> reading something on the subject. I use my real name when I post.......
Good for you.
And dont forget: DONT use your cellphone while refueling... you could blow
up the ambient fumes and start a fire.
More junk science for your amusement
Scott M - 15 Apr 2004 22:33 GMT
Look at the grocery store for a spray that says it for static.....spray it
on you seats/carpet.
> Hi,
> Everytime I get out of my 02 Taurus and close the door, I get
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> BD
jriegle - 15 Apr 2004 22:38 GMT
The static charge is due to the friction when you slide out of the seat. The
voltage difference is between you and the car, not the car and the ground,
so grounding straps will not help much in this situation. Holding a metal
part of the car that is attached to or part of the body as you get out will
drain the charge away. finding a bare metal surface on today's cars are not
so easy though.
John
> Hi,
> Everytime I get out of my 02 Taurus and close the door, I get
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> BD
Bill 2 - 16 Apr 2004 03:50 GMT
> The static charge is due to the friction when you slide out of the seat. The
> voltage difference is between you and the car, not the car and the ground,
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> so easy though.
> John
I second this advice. If it doesn't remove the shock, it will lessen the
pain.
jim - 16 Apr 2004 03:50 GMT
> Hi,
> Everytime I get out of my 02 Taurus and close the door, I get
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> BD
go to a place that sells truck parts.. that is who buys the platted
metal gounding straps... try national auto parts... www.napaonline.com
or a local one in your area.. in my area they do a lot of truck supply
business, like hydraulic hoses for dump truck, light, reflector and the
straps.....
Scott M - 16 Apr 2004 07:32 GMT
> > Hi,
> > Everytime I get out of my 02 Taurus and close the door, I get
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> business, like hydraulic hoses for dump truck, light, reflector and the
> straps.....
==============
Then I guess you tie one end of the strap to your leg or arm and the other
end to a ground in the car? Thats the only way a "ground strap" would do any
good.
Kevin - 16 Apr 2004 13:19 GMT
Buy a Can of Anti-Stat and spray it on the seats. Won't harm anything. Can
be bought at any electronics store, maybe Radio Shack
> Hi,
> Everytime I get out of my 02 Taurus and close the door, I get
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Thanks,
> BD