electric zap getting out of the car?

[bluedolphin]

How can I avoid getting a mini (though very annoying) electric shock everytime I go to close the car door after driving ?

[andy hughes]

This is a common enough problem for someone to have invented an 'earth' strip which you att\atch to your car body, and which touches the ground and earths your car, removing the build-up of static electricity. Most car accessory shops - Halfords etc. - sell them.

[xyzzyplugh]

Agree with Andy; Got to get one of those rubber things that dangles from back bumper to floor. Seen loads of them around (on cars). I've had that shock, it's a b|tch.

[5029]

My car does the same, try touching the glass in the window as you get out, then slamming the door

[gazzawazza]

I used to have this problem with a previous car of mine and when you think about it it's not just annoying it could actually be dangerous (I'm thinking of in an explosive atmosphere such as a petrol station).

I don't know whether those earth strips actually work, they were initially marketed claiming to improve radio reception by earthing the vehicle. However after being rigorously tested by some boffins (may have been Trading Standards, can't remember) the manufacturerers eventually agreed to accept that they "Might not have this effect" and at the time decided to remarket them as an "accessory." I don't know, perhaps they've now discovered they do have some useful earthing properties!

Coming back to the solution, somebody once told me that he always touched the edge of the door with the tip of his car key first to dissipate the spark.

I, however never actually tried this coz I always forgot!

[tomr]

It's as much your fault as the car's.

The spark comes after you have earthed yourself (got out and touched the ground) and you then go and touch the car. If you hold the door as you get out you and the car will be at the same potential as you touch the ground and the problem will appear to go away.

[Hippy]

Don't wear Bri-Nylon underwear!

[bluedolphin]

Thanks everyone....found Tomr's solution the best for me.

[Francis Asis]

Tomr - thank you so much for your suggestion. You have saved me from a lifetime of misery. I had got to the point where I was frightened to go out in the car as the pain of the shocks was getting unbearable. Your suggestion actually works. Thank you so much