static electricity shock when exiting car (97 Accord) - anti-static straps?

Many are familiar with the static electricity problem when exiting
their car. Apparently it has something to do with some of the newer
tire compounds. I have heard solutions ranging from spraying cloth
seats with a fabric softener solution to "remembering" to touch the
metal frame before leaving your car.
I saw another option that seems much more practical.
I am wondering if these things actually work.
http://members.cox.net/ylosk/private/Antistatic/anti_static_strap_earth_ground.htm
If any of you have tried this type of solution please let me know it
works. Thanks

 

I remember seeing these on many cars back in the 1960's. If they worked as
advertised, wouldn't they be required equipment on vehicles?

 

I've seen grounding straps of all types for years. There's nothing
revolutionary. I suppose one problem is that dragging a piece of
metal across the ground can also cause sparks.

 

That static charge is caused by sliding your synthetic covered butt
on a synthetic covered seat. An antistatic strap won't protect you
unless you wire it to yourself and throw it on the ground before getting out.
Then slide it on the ground when you walk.
The static is on you, not the car.
Simple physics.
Read up on it.

 

So does this mean I have to stop wearing polyester leisure suits? They're
back in style again, you know.

Wanna see static? I'll show you static!
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/misc/static.avi

Don't EVER get back into your car after putting the filler nozzle into the
filler neck!

I can't bear to show this one to my wife, she'd never dare to fill up ever
again!

 

Yes. Women blow up at the gas pumps.
I have a number of videos of people blowing up.
I worked with API and PEI researching the static vs. gas dispenser issues.
We have not been able to come up with a solution other than education of
the pumping public. We use the vids in training sessions.

 

In my Toyota, I clamp my hand firmly on the metal window frame,
then step out of my car, and remove my hand once the rest of
me is completely clear of the car. But sometimes the static
still occurs ( eg. if I let go my hand, then touch the car again
immediately, I get the zap ). So there must be more to it than
that.

 

Static straps have been around forever. Back before they started
compounding conductive materials in tires, they were most popular.

I've installed a few for folks over the years, and have had better luck
trying to get them as close as possible to the 'track' line of either
the L or R tires... so the driver can straddle road debris without the
strap slapping everything. They don't look as good there though. An 'Old
Timer' mechanic friend tells me they occasionally get wrapped up in, and
are ripped off by road debris, and should be mounted so they can break
away without doing damage to the vehicle.

Some large aircraft have then to this day, they're small, and hang down
between the tires of the main landing gear 'bogie trucks'.

Aircraft of all descriptions are always grounded before fueling... if
being fueled from a truck, the A/C and truck are also grounded together.

Spraying your car seats down with some of that laundry anti static spray
stuff will help some... they also used to sell it at Radio Shack to
spray on carpets around computers.

If you know your charged up, and want to ease the shock a little, hold
onto the metal part of a key, then touch something grounded with same
(so the arc happens between the key and the grounded object). Wetting
your fingers to make a little better contact between you and the the key
helps a little more.

I have a neighbor who's home carpet is really bad about static...
especially when the humidity's low in the winter. I hold my keys the
whole time I'm over there, and ground myself regularly. Switch plate
screw heads usually work wonderfully... or should anyway. SNAP!

Erik

 

Actually I've found air humidity has more to do with static discharge.
Static electricity is normally built up moving against fabric, and it
it's humid, it is discharged to the air with no sense of it. But when
it's dry, no discharge happens till you touch something and that's a
zap.

You might notice it more if you live in dry areas, or run you a/c
alot, but you can help prevent the build up if you fight static at the
source. I've heard of people wiping down car seats with new dryer
sheets when they clean their car out. This imparts some of the anti
static chemicals on the seat. I've been even told that one guy used
downy in his carpets when cleaning them to knock down the static zaps.

hth, please tell us what you found out.

later,

tom @ www.CarFleaMarket.com

 

An antistatic strap won't protect you

I've been doing that for decades. Drives my wife crazy.

 

I find that if I am very deliberate about this, I can avoid the shock. I
think it works best if you are holding onto an *unpainted* part of the car,
I use the steel door jamb and let my foot rest on the ground for a second or
2 and then proceed to close the car up.

 

*-Use a chrome (and grounded) gear shift knobs.
*- Pluck chrome thumbtacks onto steering wheel, grounding it.
*-Use a plain brass key (instead of insulated a genuine ignition key)

The passenger isn't protected, so don't let him
*fill up* that gas tank.

 

i have bando anti-static belts on my '89 civic & i never get a jolt -
not that i chose those belts for that reason, but i noted the label
while installing. is this a recent phenomenon with you? does it
coincide with a belt change?

 

I recently saw a FEMA video of a person going in and out of the car while
they were fueling.
It was to prove static caused the fire that ensued in the clip, rather than
a cell phone the person was talking on. Just a passing thought.... ya
gotta be careful.

 

Agreed.

I have a favorite Baseball jacket that shocks the sh*t out of me
whever I wear in in my Civic.

Nothing else I wear re-creates this "enlightening" event! LOL!

--

"This notion that the United States is getting ready
to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that,
all options are on the table,"
George Bush, Feb 22 2005

http://www.quantumphilosophy.net/files/clips/TimRyan_Medium.mov

http://www.bushflash.com/thanks.html
http://www.worldmessenger.20m.com/weapons.html#wms
WHY IRAQ?: http://www.angelfire.com/creep/gwbush/remindus.html
http://www.toostupidtobepresident.com/shockwave/chickenhawks.htm

"Bubba got a BJ, BU$H screwed us all!" - Slim

 

BAD TeGGeR®!!!!!!!!! BAD!!!!!!
Goddam it......I gotta clean a LOT of coffee and snot
outta my keyboard NOW!!!!

LOL!!!!!

--

"This notion that the United States is getting ready
to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that,
all options are on the table,"
George Bush, Feb 22 2005

http://www.quantumphilosophy.net/files/clips/TimRyan_Medium.mov

http://www.bushflash.com/thanks.html
http://www.worldmessenger.20m.com/weapons.html#wms
WHY IRAQ?: http://www.angelfire.com/creep/gwbush/remindus.html
http://www.toostupidtobepresident.com/shockwave/chickenhawks.htm

"Bubba got a BJ, BU$H screwed us all!" - Slim

 

anyone get her phone number by chance?

 

Interesting. I normally wear all-cotton pants and have cloth seats in
my vehicles. I get a static discharge when getting out of them unless
it is there is high humidity.

Ken (MI)

 

I bet the seats are a synthetic plastic material.
More than likely the entire interior of your vehicle is plastic.
Floor mats, arm rests, seat padding, etc.

 

Wow, I never knew others had this problem also. I have a 2005 Civic. And
it's a BIG shock! I have to touch the door frame and >crack< there it goes!
Probably should inform the dealer...