Weird thing I noticed

[brianseto]

Hey has anyone else noticed this?

Immediately after I shut off the engine, and then touch the body of my car (ie. the doorframe or the door), it always gives me a shock, like static electricity buildup, but with a bit more kick.

It doesn't do it when the engine is running, it doesn't do it if I let the car sit for a while. Only immediately after I shut off the engine.

Is it bad grounding on the car or something? I may just be nutz...

 

[MSPRO]

i get it sometimes too, always thought it was from rubbing my shoes on the carpet, who knows. been told to touch the key on the door to let the static out without feeling it.

 

[BrianV]

Same problem here, pisses me off.

When I get out of the car, I grab the top of the door (window frame) and then step out of the car. This way I'm grounded as I step off and I don't get a shock. I often forget and then I remember before I touch it. The anticipation just KILLS me.

I hate IT!

 

[DeanSweet]

some brands of tired cause this buildup of static electricy?

 

[BremertonMSP]

Zap!

Is the weather cool and dry? That will always make it worse. You're building up a static charge that is being discharged though you. Our cars are a floating potential, and when you move your feet on the carpet, say when shifting, a charge builds up. So when you shut off the car, get out and then touch the car, you provide a path for the current to discharge. It's either going from the car, through you to ground, or the other way around, depending on how the charging goes.

Static electricity is always worse when it's dry. More humidity will help dissipate a charge.

 

[shaolin]

Wow this is like watchinig Mr. Wizard...

 

[DeanSweet]

you can hang a metal wire from the undercarriage of your car so it floats while in motion but touches the ground when you slow down to eliminate the shock.

 

[mikeeeee]

i usually close the door with my ass so it also doesnt leave a finger mark on the car. Hate the oil from your hands.

 

[Notorious]

To eliminate that touch a metal part of the car and keep your hand on it (door frame) then get out of the car. Once you make contact with the ground your ok.

 

[MikeyK 5]

this is also why you're not supposed to go sit back in your car when filling it with gas... if you build up any static and then cause a shock touching the pump, there's supposed to be a minute but still possible chance you could cause a fire. I remember seeing some warning thing about this at work. I dunno if its true, tho, but i'd ground myself before touching the pump anyways.

 

[funnylittlman]

I posted this awhile ago, and people said it was normal.

It has something to do w/ us and creating a static charge w/ the seats. Someone told me to rub a dryer sheet on the seats to get rid of this. I've been TOO lazy.. so I just close the door w/ my elbow / back of my arm and get shocked EVERY time. It's a PIA

 

[mdaj]

I thought I was the only one. My difference is that I have plastic mats to cover my carpet. I hate it. Sometimes I think I am fine and then I go to close the garage door and ZAP!!!

 

[Striker187]

i actually saw a spark once when i went to go get the mail. drove up to the mailbox, got out and went to put the key in the keyhole and i threw a cool blue spark

 

[laracroft]

Hell, no matter WHAT I do, what kind of shoes, stick my hand out the car, sitting in the seat, wet or dry weather... I GET SHOCKED! People are afriad to get near me. It's like being "powder". lol
Too much electricity going through me. Now if I can only harness that to power the TV or something....

 

[Little Beavis]

It's like being "powder". lol

(rofl)
I wonder how many people got that one. . .
Funny though. . .

And yes, I get shocked all the time, but if you just get in the habit of grabbing metal as you get out you're okay. . .and I too hate leaving fingerprints so I always kind of hold the door by the edge, that way no fingerprints on the outside. . .except my wife can't seem to figure that one out. Oh well.

 

[Tex]

ALBANY, Ga. (AP) -- A hair stylist was pumping gas into her car when her hair burst into flames.

"That scared me to death," said stylist Traci Marshall.

The fire was probably caused by static electricity from Marshall's hair rubbing against her clothes, said her husband, Camilla firefighter Lt. Bill Marshall.

The static electricity apparently mixed with gas fumes and ignited the fire Sunday.

"I started beating my hair to get out the fire and saw flames coming out of the gas tank," she said.

A man with a fire extinguisher put out the blaze.

Traci Marshall had to cut her hair and get her truck repaired.

Bill Marshall advised people to ground themselves before pumping gas by touching the metal of their cars.

"Once you get out of your vehicle, don't get back into the vehicle until you are through," he said.

Officials also remind people to turn off cell phones and pagers when pumping gas because those devices can also spark explosions.

 

[lasermp5]

Hey. You guys are exactly right. I saw a study on this on TV once. What happens for me anyway is that when I get out of the car, my butt slides across the seat. Or it might be something else...don't know. Anyways, ALWAYS ground yourself before you pump gas. I saw a report on TV on one of those news journalism shows about people that do the same exact thing and blow their ass up when they pump gas. Also, they said something about women are more prone to it...don't know how. Anyways, if anyone works with electronic components or computers, you know that you always have to ground yourself before you start working. If you ever have to go into your computer for somethig, make sure you touch the power supply or the case first

 

[funnylittlman]

ALBANY, Ga. (AP) -- A hair stylist was pumping gas into her car when her hair burst into flames.

"I started beating my hair to get out the fire and saw flames coming out of the gas tank," she said.

A man with a fire extinguisher put out the blaze.

I really do feel bad for her, and it is very unfortunate but Seeing this(flame) makes me (rofl) (laugh)

I'm bad

 

[fkmp5]

http://www.protege5.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37807

 

[yashooa]

i usually close the door with my ass so it also doesnt leave a finger mark on the car. Hate the oil from your hands.

Gee thanks for the image. (blarf)