Get out of a Car Without Getting Shocked by Static Electricity

Do you yelp every time you touch a car door handle? These shocks usually happen because you and the car seat have picked up opposite charges during the ride. To prevent the zap, either make contact in a way that lets the charge balance out harmlessly, or prevent the static gathering in the first place.

Steps

Discharging Static Safely

  1. Hold the metal frame as you exit the car. Most shocks happen because you and the car have picked up opposite charges. Leaving your seat separates these charges, creating the potential for a static shock. Touching the metal of the car as you get out lets the charge balance out by flowing harmlessly through your hand.[1]
    • If you still get shocked, the paint on the metal might not be conductive enough. Touch bare metal instead.
  2. Use a coin to touch the car. Another way to protect yourself is to touch the car with a coin or other metal object after you get out. You might see a spark travel between the car and the coin, but it won't hurt your hand.
    • Don't use a key that contains an electronic chip. The shock could destroy the chip and make your key unusable.[2]
  3. Touch the window for a couple seconds. If you've already left the car and don't have any coins on you, put your hand on the window. Glass is less conductive than metal, so the charge will run through you too gently to cause a shock.[2]

Preventing Static

  1. Wear shoes with conductive soles. Most shoes with rubber or plastic soles insulate you from the ground. If you switch to shoes with real leather soles, or special electrical static discharge (ESD) shoes, charge will have more trouble building up on your body.[1] Even if you do pick up charge during a car ride, it should flow out through these shoes as soon as you step onto the ground.
  2. Treat the car seats with fabric softener. Rubbing fabric softener sheets onto the car seat can eliminate static cling, at least for a few days. Alternatively, mix a teaspoon (5 mL) of liquid fabric softener in a quart (liter) of water. Mix well and spray onto the seat.[1]
  3. Be aware of your clothing. Synthetic materials, such as most modern fleeces, increase the risk of static shock. Even natural fibers like wool or cotton can build up a high charge, though, so it's not worth changing your wardrobe.[3] Just be extra careful while you're wearing polyester.
  4. Attach a grounding strap if you have non-conductive tires. "Low rolling resistance" tires made with silica are poor electrical conductors. This can cause the car to pick up a static charge as you drive, since it can't discharge it into the ground.[4] A static discharge strap that connects your car to the road can solve this problem.
    • Very old vintage cars may use plain white rubber tires, which have the same problem.
    • Ordinary tires are treated with carbon black, a conductive material.[5] A grounding strap makes no difference for cars with these tires. (Shocks can still happen, but the charge difference is between you and the car, not the car and the ground.)

Tips

  • Here's a simple technique: tap the door with your knuckle, forearm, or elbow as you exit. These areas are much less sensitive than your fingertip, so you'll feel little to no pain.

Warnings

  • This is actually a safety tip, as static electricity, if not discharged, has actually caused small explosions at gas pumps. You should never re-enter your car while gassing up, as this can provide more static electricity. If you must, make sure you follow the directions above to discharge the electricity before you get anywhere near the fuel pump!

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://amasci.com/emotor/zapped.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://h2g2.com/edited_entry/A6378744
  3. ↑ http://web.archive.org/web/20110815205204/http://www.jci.co.uk/Carseats2.html#6
  4. ↑ http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1996-05-23/topic/9605210426_1_rolling-resistance-tires-helium-static-electricity
  5. ↑ http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ie50389a020?journalCode=iechad
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