sferrett

Hold on to the metal that goes around the window of your door as you're getting out of the car (before you stand up, hold it as you stand up). Alternatively, hold the metal part of your key and use the other end of the key to touch the metal on the car - the spark will leap from the key, not your finger, and won't hurt.

Generally the static that zaps most people is not from the air rushing over the car, but the fabric on their clothes rubbing on the fabric of the seat giving them a nice charge as they stand up, then when you touch the door to close it, zap.

I saw a video of a girl pumping gas, she started filling up, then got back in the drivers seat of the car, then got out again. When she touched the gas pump handle the fumes ignited and there was a fireball - so - getting in and out of your car at a gas station is a bit dangerous, especially if you don't touch the car frame before you head back to the gas nozzle.

Katchoo

Yes...but did you notice her adjusting her sweater just before pumping the gas? Watched that video 2-3 times...

N-E-ways...I have fabric seats and have not gotten shocked (yet).

Of course I have a grounding strap attached to the car when parked and I drag a 5 foot length of chain behind the car while I drive.

G8rboy

:D LOL

I've threatened to do this to my friends Toyota Echo- damn thing actually hurts me with huge visible static discharges. When I wear my nice Italian wool pants, I make a point to drive to lunch in my car only... those things combined with his seats make lightning shoot from my fingertips to his door when I get out.

None of my leather-seated vehicles have exhibited this at all, no matter how dry the air is in the winter.

loco4rx8

You know, I just remembered, my old Accord had leather seats and it shocked me. Wonder what it is about the 8's leather seats that is different.

kbull

Where is this video? I'd like to show it to my girlfriend so I can get her to knock that off. Sometimes I worry too much.

sferrett

http://www.StupidVideos.com/?VideoID=760

notice how she doesn't touch any part of the car as she gets out the second time - if she had reached out and held onto the door frame as she stood up I doubt the incident would have happened.

emailists

at stupid videos there is an RX7 that does 215 MPH with bad results

http://www.StupidVideos.com/?VideoID=567