Why Does My Car Door Shock Me?
Sometimes, the car door could shock you when you get out of your ride. It’s difficult to predict when it’ll happen, and it’s frustrating when it does.
Static electricity usually causes the shock, but other factors can increase the odds of you zapping yourself:
- Dry air
- Cold weather
- Clothing
If you’re keen on learning how to prevent yourself from getting shocked in the future, read on!
Why Does My Car Shock Me When I Get Out?
If you’re wondering why your car door shocks you as you leave, it’s because of static electricity.
When two surfaces make contact with one another and create friction, they create a static charge. This charge builds up over time, including the time you spend sitting in your car. The charge releases when you reach for a conductive surface like a metal car door, zapping you.
Bear in mind that many factors can affect the generation of static electricity. For example, dry air, cold weather, and even the clothing you wear can increase the static energy you produce.
Dry Air
You’re far more likely to get hit with a static shock when the air is dry because electricity has a harder time dissipating without moisture.
Conversely, driving around when it’s raining minimizes the possibility of a static shock. This happens because the electricity is immediately conducted to the road by water molecules.
Cold Weather
Much like dry air, cold weather also affects the generation of static electricity. You’re likely to experience more static shocks from your car door in winter because cold air has a much harder time holding water than warm air, making it drier.
Clothing
What you wear also affects the overall generation of static electricity in your vehicle. The energy generates even when you’re sitting down in the driver’s seat.
Because static electricity increases when two surfaces rub against each other, the friction between your clothes and the seat can give you a static shock when you exit your vehicle.
Some materials, such as wool and fur, are more conductive to electricity than others. If you were to sit and drive in a wool coat, the friction generated between your coat and seat can create a strong electrical charge.
Then, the charge is released, shocking you, when you come into contact with something metal — in this case, a car door.
Are Static Shocks Dangerous?
While static shocks aren’t dangerous to you, they can cause serious damage if they come into contact with flammable substances.
The odds of this happening are extremely low, but it’s not impossible for you to accidentally ignite gas fumes or exposed fuel with static electricity.
How to Stop Static Shock In Your Car
Though static shock can be frustrating to deal with, there are ways to prevent it. For example, you can use different anti-static products like sprays to prevent static energy. Here are other ways you can stop static shock from your car.
Be Mindful of Your Shoes
Although rubber is incredibly shock-resistant, wearing shoes with rubber soles actually increases your odds of getting a static shock.
The rubber soles won’t let the electricity coursing through you dissipate into the ground. You’re better off wearing shoes with soles made of leather, plastic, or other materials that aren’t as shock-resistant.
Coat Your Seats With Anti-Static Spray
Anti-static sprays are typically made of a conducting polymer and a special solvent that consists of alcohol and deionized water.
Bear in mind that these sprays don’t work on every material. Seats made of suede are susceptible to damage, but fabric and leather seats should turn out fine after getting a coat of anti-static spray.
Anti-static sprays work by creating a thin barrier between your clothes and your seat. The layer prevents electrons from charging up, which in turn prevents static from building up.
Because there’s no static charge, you won’t have to deal with an electrified door handle.
Mind the Material of Your Clothes
What you wear will affect the overall generation of static electricity in your vehicle. Certain fabrics like wool, silk, polyester, and fur can build up more static electricity than others.
So if static shocks bother you, wear clothing made of more neutral fabrics like leather or cotton whenever you drive.
Touch Your Car With Metal
If you’re looking for a quick and effective way at dispelling the static in your car door, you can touch it from the outside with something made of metal. This way, the electricity will course through the metal object instead of shocking your fingertips.
Install an Anti-Static Strap to Your Undercarriage
Another way to stop your vehicle from generating static electricity is to install a static strap on the bottom of your vehicle.
The strap can’t prevent the generation of static electricity in your vehicle, but it gives the electricity an outlet. It helps discharge the static energy safely and away from you and your vehicle.
Push the Glass When Exiting
When you exit your car, place your hand on the glass window to avoid getting shocked. Take care not to touch any metal when you reach for the handle of the door.
Going for the glass part of the door is ideal because glass isn’t as conductive as metal, meaning electricity will have a harder time coursing through it.
Don’t Touch the Door With Your Fingertips
If you can’t perform the previous tips, consider touching the car door with your elbow or your knuckles instead. Your fingertips are very sensitive, but the same cannot be said for your elbow or your knuckles.
By touching the metal with a less sensitive part of your arm, you can mitigate the pain and discomfort brought about by the static. After dispelling the static charge, you’re free to open your car door like normal.
The post Why Does My Car Door Shock Me? appeared first on In The Garage with CarParts.com.
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