i know this sounds strange but my wife builds up a serious static charge whenever she rides shotgun in the xb. then when she gets out she ends up shocking herself with an impresive amount of voltage differential. It never happens to me or any other front seat passengers just her. Does this happen to anyone else? Any suggestions or solutions?

 

Don't let her ride in it! That opens up another seat for the honeys!

 

well...i guess some ppl are more prone to static charges... in japan it's a common thing... and anti-static key chain mechanism sell readily...u can get these at small japanese auto parts store or at SUPERAUTOBACS at Stanton, Ca. Price ranges from $10 up to $30 depending on wat features it has...some has built-in lights and other stuff.

here's an example of such product... and from wat i heard...the mechanism neutralizes the positive ions or something in ur body so that u don't shock urself when u touch the car.

 

weird! but sweet thanks blubox! that gives me an excuse to go next time im down there.

 

doctorcue: ...i don't think you helped LVXB at all...but it sure did make me crack up for a few minutes!!!

 

i just thought i was wierd, but i build up a static charge and when i go to get out of my car i always get shocked.

 

Just don't let your wife fill up the gas tank, she'll make her own flamethrower.

 

I was watching myth busters and they had the gas station fire from static and cell phones. For the static they used a car seat and a pair of panties, so tell your wife when she wants to ride then take off the draws :wink:

 

nyyyyyce!

 

This is a common problem these days, when none of the surfaces in the vehicle are grounded. Since the passengers are completely insulated, they can build up a considerable static charge which gives them a "zap" when they do finally get near a ground.

The only (possibly) grounded items that you can touch in the front seat are the button on the parking brake, the ring around the cigarette lighter, and the ignition key. Down lower, you have the seat rails and seat adjusters. Since the driver touches the brake and key before getting out of the car, the driver doesn't get shocked. The passenger can do the same and avoid the zap.

Women seem to be more susceptable to getting zapped, probably because of the fabrics they wear and/or the insulating qualities of their shoes. I doubt that your wife would appreciate a suggestion of wearing different clothes in the xB, though!

Fires while fueling are a remote possibility, but in California with vapor recovery nozzles the chances are slim. It _has_ happened, though, usually when the person fueling has left the nozzle on "auto", entered the vehicle for some reason, and returned to remove the nozzle. As soon as they touch the nozzle, a spark jumps and if there is a combustible mixture it lights! Ow!

George

 

Dude, I thought my wife was the only one that sufferred from this ailment. The no ground is probably right. My wife hates it but she still won't drive unless I force her.
I used to tease her about it being a pinay thing. Anyways thanks everyone for the grounding tip.

 

george, would touching the door frame before you exit the vehicle be a good enough ground to discharge you, or does it need to be an unpainted surface?

 

That is a good question. It depends upon the insulation value of the paint or other coating. I think that the most direct fix would be to run a fine wire from the screw behind the inside door handle and glue it to the back of the handle, so you touch it when you open the door. That would be out of sight and would serve to discharge the passenger without any effort on their part.

Of course, I see static buildup as an interesting phenomenon. Why ruin the fun?

George

 

helpful as usual gentleman! i shall dutifully report to the mrs.

 

Just FYI....

It used to happen to me in the past no matter what car i was in...
I narrowed it down to only 1 thing.....

Its the type of shoes you are wearing...
A good pair of quality shoes with REAL rubber soles will eliminate the problem.

I noticed the shoes i was wearing at the time were the synthetic rubber soles...
I bought a pair of DR. Martins and the problem was GONE!!!
I am not saying to by DR. Martins shoes...it was just an example of a real rubber sole..

 

I was watching a show a few months ago and it had a segement about this very thing.

Both drivers and passengers can build up a certain amount of static charge while in the car. The show suggested that when getting out to touch the metal part of the car with your hand flat on it. This will disengage any static in the body.

Also, when you do go to the gas station they say to not use your cell phone or get in and out of your car while the gas is pumping. This also builds up the amount of static. Slim chance or not, there have been reports where people catch themselves on fire at gas stations due to this. So, just touch the metal area of the car flat handed when you get out.

 

Static is real as far as the cars go. Tonight was getting out of my Box and touched the exterior painted surface of my car above the driver window and could literally see the static. Yeah got a shock, Big deal. As far as fueling a car, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER YOUR CAR WHILE FUELING. Sorry for the caps! It is dangerous! Its true, especially for women and certain pantyhose and garments they wear. I am a manager at a gas station where a lady did just that and got out of her car to put the nozzle back on the pump and discharged her static into the fumes from it and her tank. Nice little fireball! Fortunately no damage or injury just a scare with fumes burning off. This is all on tape in our company files. Also, those nice little auto shutoffs on the pump dont always work. HINT HINT. I have almost had to call the EPA when someone is in their car with the auto shutoff on and gasoline spraying out of their overly full tank.

 

It's a zombie! Cuz this is from the dead!!!!

 

Holy Carp! 2003!?

 

Yea I get the shytttttt shocked out of me. I see frikin lightening coming from my fingers like Zeus