I get a shock every time I step out of my car, why?

brock911 · brock911's Garage

Every time I step out of my car and touch the window frame, ZAP, I get a shock. It's a 76 912E that I have been doing some general clean-up and repairs to and until yesterday I never experienced this. Now every time I sit in the car without even touching ignition key or anything related to electrical system as soon as step out and touch the window frame I get a little shock, any idea why?

Thanks for any ideas.
Regards,
Mike

lrodri64 · 03-23-2013, 03:30 AM

Hi, it is static electricity and is not the car, is you.
Someone should give you more details.

Howard M · 03-23-2013, 04:26 AM

Change tires recently? High silicone content tires (usually winter type) don't electrically ground the car as well as low-sil tires. Add low humidity winter weather....zzzzap.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by brock911

Every time I step out of my car and touch the window frame, ZAP, I get a shock. It's a 76 912E that I have been doing some general clean-up and repairs to and until yesterday I never experienced this. Now every time I sit in the car without even touching ignition key or anything related to electrical system as soon as step out and touch the window frame I get a little shock, any idea why?

Thanks for any ideas.
Regards,
Mike

What tires are you using?

brock911 · brock911's Garage

Thanks for the input thus far, the tires are fairly new, maybe one year old and were on the car when I purchased last November. They are General tires, 205 70 R 14.

Never noticed this before yesterday?

Thanks again,
Mike

GaryR · GaryR's Garage

God's way of telling you that you should be out driving instead of parking..

brock911 · brock911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryR

God's way of telling you that you should be out driving instead of parking..

Hi Gary, yes I agree but mother nature keeps having her way hence no driving yet, but soon.

Mike

kodioneill · kodioneill's Garage

Static strap for cars(kidding of course)

tirwin · tirwin's Garage

Open your door while in the car seat. Before you swing your legs out, reach out and hold onto some part of the metal frame and then put your foot on the ground. That should negate any static charges.

911ish · 03-23-2013, 06:43 AM

Use bounce dryer sheets when you dry your laundry

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

I use my elbow for discharge...

Doyle

theiceman · 03-23-2013, 09:27 AM

..and one more tip ... do not reach back into your car for something while refilling...

billybek · billybek's Garage

I get a shock every time I step out of my car, why?

Your electric personality???

Jaybird12 · Jaybird12's Garage

Here's a guess, you have fabric covered seats not leather. You were wearing a synthetic fabric jacket or shirt in the car, and the relative humidity level was less than 30%. Any of those conditions will cause a static charge when you "slide" out of the car and contact anything on the car thats grounded. It doesn't even need to be bare metal.
Seems like a good reason to upgrade to leather upholstry.

Craig_D · Craig_D's Garage

Don't be so negative!!

porschenut · 03-23-2013, 03:56 PM

Are you sure it doesn't shock you only after driving it? What usually happens to all cars is the dry air blowing over the car builds up a charge of statis electricity on the surface. When you stop and touch the car, it discharges.

brock911 · brock911's Garage

Thanks again, lots of good suggestions. I will be working on the car tomorrow and will try a few of the tips. It could be a number of the ideas presented, but I really enjoy the sense of humor most of you have.

Thanks for the ideas and the laughs.

Enjoy your weekend,
Mike

Mark Howard · 03-23-2013, 05:02 PM

Years ago, I had a Mazda 929, a 1992 model as I recall. Awesome freaking car until my wife turned it into a U-Boat...that's another story...

I had a little grip on the door handle that was grounded to the frame, I guess. Even in the owners manual it instructed you to simplly tap the little grip handle as you exited the car, and wa-la, no zap. One of the most unique features on a car I've ever had.

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

high conductivity tires will fix this, and copper is surprisingly soft

or you can drag a logging chain behind the car

Porboynz · Porboynz's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by tirwin

Open your door while in the car seat. Before you swing your legs out, reach out and hold onto some part of the metal frame and then put your foot on the ground. That should negate any static charges.

This is what I do when wearing my wife's lingerie for those 'special' Porsche outings, (Concours d'Elegance) works very well.

Possibly the tyres but most likely some new article of clothing that builds up a charge as you slide out of the seat, holding the metal door frame is very effective.